Under the terms of the agreement, ChromaDex and P&G will identify and develop stable forms of Niagen for specific applications, and the costs of development (including human clinical trials) will be covered by P&G. The CPG giant will have exclusive rights to the form of NR that is stable for use in specific consumer product fields for both existing and new P&G branded products. P&G will make an undisclosed up-front payment to ChromaDex as well as other payments based on achievement of various milestones.
Nicotinamide riboside
NR is found naturally in trace amounts in milk and other foods, and is a more potent, no-flush version of niacin (vitamin B3). Published research has shown that NR is a potent precursor to NAD+ in the mitochondria of animals. NAD+ is an important cellular co-factor for improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy metabolism.
As organisms age, NAD+ levels drop, which leads to a decrease in mitochondrial health; this in turn leads to age-related health issues. Low NAD+ levels limit activity of a group of enzymes called sirtuins, which are believed to play a key role in longevity. NAD+ levels also can be depleted by lifestyle choices such as overeating and lack of exercise. By boosting NAD+, NR can increase mitochondrial health and induce creation of new mitochondria.
Irvine, CA-based Chromadex has been accumulating the IP surrounding NR for a couple of years, having licensed patents from Cornell University, Dartmouth College, and Washington University in St Louis.
Significant milestone
“The joint development agreement with P&G is a significant milestone in the commercialization of our leading breakthrough ingredient,” said Frank Jaksch Jr., founder and CEO of ChromaDex. “Procter and Gamble is a market leader in consumer products and this collaboration provides ChromaDex, as an innovator of novel ingredients, an efficient way to expand into new product categories and channels.”
“This agreement positions our innovative new ingredient to be included in a number of P&G products, some of which are among the highest volume consumer products in the world,” he added. “Working with P&G over the past year on a series of assessments has provided for an excellent foundation for this exclusive joint development collaboration.”
According to the 8K filing, the agreement provides that by the later of October 30, 2016 or six months from the development of the Stable NR, both ChromaDex and P&G will start negotiations for an exclusive supply agreement for ChromaDex to supply P&G with the stable ingredient.
The term of the JDA is two years.
Jaksch confirmed to NutraIngredients-USA that the new agreement does not affect the existing agreements in dietary supplements and that more product launches are expected.