ChromaDex, P&G announce deal for nicotinamide riboside

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.