BASF bags nutraceutical option on astaxanthin intermediary
Cardex Pharmaceuticals to develop a process for a key intermediary
similar to astaxanthin. If successful, it could open up a new area
of human nutrition for the company.
US-based Cardax announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement with BASF for the exclusive manufacturing of the intermediary, described as a "specialist form of astaxanthin", that is used to make its Xancor pharmaceutical compound for cardiovascular disease.
According to Cardax, Xancor is "believed to metabolize into astaxanthin in the body"M/I<.
As part of the deal BASF is granted the option to a royalty-bearing license for nutraceutical use, while pharma uses will remain with Cardex.
BASF produces carotenoids at its plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany - including astaxanthin for the animal nutrition market. It does not reveal capacity figures for carotenoids.
Since the project is only in its initial stages, BASF is not discussing the details. But a spokesperson told NutraIngredients.com that if it succeeds in developing a process over the next six months it would be in a position to produce the intermediate without major investment in its current plant.
The human astaxanthin market in Europe is still somewhat behind Japan and the US; the carotenoid only gained approval for use in the EU in May 2005 for use in nutraceuticals with a daily dose of up to 4mg.
But the indications are that the Japanese market is poised for rapid growth, and as Europe often follows Japan at a space of about three years there is hope that the growth rate here could be as much as 30, 40 or 50 per cent.
