ChromaDex (CDXC) Gets the OK On SuperCeutical That Packs the Wallop of 300 Pounds of Blueberries

Submitted by V.S. Sands as part of our contributors program.

It’s been called, “The Human Clinical Study Everyone Has Overlooked.” In early June, ChromaDex (OTCB:CDXC), a leading provider of innovative, proprietary, science-based solutions and ingredients to the natural products industry – received the news it was looking for: Positive clinical results verifying the safety of pterostilbene for humans. The nutraceutical is the cornerstone ingredient for its flagship, BluScience line of anti-aging and weight-loss supplements.

The safety of pterostilbene, patented exclusively as pTeroPure by the Company, previously tested well in numerous cell and animal studies. Further test results detailing its efficacy on positive patient outcomes are expected to be released within a few months.

By harnessing the power of blueberries, ChromaDex succeeds with pterostilbene in formulating a nutraceutical that looks to pack a super-size wallop of health benefits. The pTeropure product yields the equivalent of more than 300 pounds of blueberries in a single dose. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture rank blueberries as No. #1 in antioxidant activity, compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Recent research also points to this super fruit’s ability to ward off the development of fat cells.

pTeroPure was recognized in 2010 as the North American Most Promising Ingredient of the Year by the research company, Frost & Sullivan. Noted for its enhanced oral bioavailability and metabolic characteristics compared to similar nutrients, the compound metabolizes more slowly in the body, resulting in more prolonged antioxidant activity.

The compound, similar in composition to Resveratrol, widely valued for its heart-healthy red-wine benefits, has a half-life in the body more that’s more than four times that of Resveratrol.

With BluScience, pTeroPure products already on the shelves of Walgreens and Drugstore.com, ChromaDex is now set to expand distribution into more than 25,000 retail stores and through major online retailers, by year-end 2012.

Also contributing to the bullish scenario for CDXC, a recent Weill Cornell Study validated a hidden Vitamin, a form of B3, as a breakthrough anti-aging discovery that could put another powerful rejuvenative elixir on the shelves of Main Street stores in the future.

Well ahead of the positive test results, last year in July, 2011 ChromaDex was granted exclusive worldwide rights to a novel manufacturing process for the compound, niacinnicotinamide riboside (NR). In high doses, the little known Vitamin, a cousin of Niacin, promises to mimic the effect of the fountain of youth.

The Company’s patents and licenses for NR also position it as a a niacin competitor, with a possible alternative to Abbott Labs’ billion-dollar Niaspan drug, the largest niacin treatment in the world that targets the high-cholesterol market. NR exhibits many of the same cholesterol-reducing effects as niacin, but without the bothersome flushing side effects, which act as a deterrent for many users. Currently, heart disease is the number one killer among baby boomer men and women, according to the American Heart Association.

Honig’s Accumulation Preceded a Rise by 50%.

From 2010 to 2011 overall CDXC revenue rose by 30.6%, from 2010 ($5.8M) to 2011 ($7.6M), also accompanied by increased advertising and promotional costs for its the new Line. In 2012, it remained under heavy accumulation by insiders including Barry Honig, former CEO of InterCLICK and a board member of the Company. Honig’s investments preceded a turn-around in ChromaDex, with shares up over 50% from their lows a few months ago. Dr. Philip Frost, CEO of Opko Health, who owns another 19% stake also sees the Company moving toward profitability.

At its current market capitalization of $63 million, ChromaDex could have significant upside potential for growing its positive revenue stream through pTeroPure and other products in the pipeline. Cash on hand and a substantial base of insider support should help to offset future cash needs including patent licensing extensions and promotion and advertising costs, which could dilute shareholder value.

A giant leap forward on the frontier of anti-aging nutritional science.

The biological story of NR captured headlines for its ability to prevent obesity in mice, even when fed a fatty diet. In tests, calorie restriction has shown to be key in preserving longevity and youthful cellular integrity.

The Vitamin also demonstrated significant anti-aging effects in animal testing – including the ability to strengthen overall endurance, with increased muscle performance, improved energy expenditure and lowered insulin resistance. It also acted as a preventive in diabetes development, and treated mice showed lower cholesterol levels. There were no side effects and no associated toxicity.

“This study is very important. It shows that in animals, the use of NR offers the health benefits of a low-calorie diet and exercise — without doing either one,” says Dr. Anthony Sauve, associate professor of Pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Dr. Sauve, who invented a simple method for efficiently synthesizing NR in large scale, said “The bottom line is that NR improves the function of mitochondria, the cell’s energy factories. Mitochondrial decline is the hallmark of many diseases associated with aging, such as cancer and neurodegeneration, and NR supplementation boosts mitochondrial functioning.”

Swiss researchers, who partnered in the research study,called B3 a hidden vitamin, with the effects of NR on metabolism “nothing short of astonishing.”

“ChromaDex is committed to investing in human studies to provide the clinical evidence for our novel ingredients that the industry expects,” said Frank Jaksch Jr., CEO and co-founder of ChromaDex. ” We also are optimistic about the efficacy data, scheduled to be released within a few months. This is only one of our many planned studies intended to contribute to our mission of bringing solutions to our customers to help promote health and wellness.”

Anti-aging products, like those marketed by CDXC with pTeropure and NR could find an eager market among boomers seeking to preserve the muscle needed to stay productive in the workforce. Still, risks include an uncertain economy which could suppress discretionary spending on elective supplements not prescribed by a physician.

ChromaDex competition includes potential rival, Star Scientific (CIGX), which has a similar nicotine-based substance that has not yet been commercialized.