The company has supplied proprietary Lipogen PS for the nutraceutical market for 15 years, but the ingredient turned a corner when Lipogen obtained FDA affirmed GRAS status for the patented product line. As a result, Lipogen announced it is increasing production of its Lipogen PS patented product line for the food and beverage fortification as well as dietary supplement market in the United States. "We are now in negotiations with major food companies," Lipogen CEO David Rutenberg told NutraIngredients-USA.com. "Lipogen intends to penetrate the US functional foods market and achieve a significant market share." The company said it has adjusted its pricing structure to match conventional rates in the functional foods market. The US Food & Drug Administration issued a "no questions" approval following Lipogen's self-affirmed generally recognised as safe (GRAS) status notification for PS. This means the ingredient can now be used in food. "Following the FDA GRAS affirmation in 2006, we expect to increase our sales growth in the market in about 50 percent during 2007," said Rutenberg. "The expansion of the production facility enables us to cut down PS cost production." The FDA also approved a qualified health claim for PS dietary supplements in 2003 - that "phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly." Found in fish, green leafy vegetables, soybeans and rice, PS regulates metabolic processes such as neuronal signalling. Studies have associated the nutrient to improvements in memory and mood, and specifically linked it to delaying symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's. In August 2006, US-based GCI Nutrients also announced it obtained GRAS affirmation for use of its phosphatidylserine ingredient, Liposerine, in foods.
