PNI will henceforth market the product globally, with the exception of India and China, with the intention of making the product a household name.
Celadrin is a natural compound made up of of esterified fatty acid carbons (EFACs) and other active synergists, and can be formulated into pill and cream forms.
Results of a clinical trial, published in the Journal of Rheumatology two years ago, suggested that Celadrin could help with joint and mobility problems.
The double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled trial examined the impact of a 68-day oral administration of Celadrin on 64 participants who were experiencing joint and mobility problems.
The researchers reported that after the trial period, participants who consumed Celadrin showed healthy joint mobility, flexibility and function compared to those given the placebo.
Data from the study also indicated that Celadrin not only promoted joint flexibility, but also supported and promoted the ability to walk long distances.
"Since Celadrin addresses a wide range of joint, muscle, and tendon-related ailments, both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, as well as many other forms of arthritis, we think it is the perfect new product for the $22 billion joint health market," said Dean Mosca, president of PNI.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are among the most common chronic diseases, affecting 70 million adults in the US in 2001, and are the leading cause of disability among US adults.
Research by the CDC has shown that if arthritis prevalence rates remain stable, the number of affected persons aged 65 and under will nearly double by 2030, meaning that as many as 41 million people in this age group could be afflicted by arthritis or chronic joint symptoms (CJS).