Amersham, Bucks, May 12, 2003

Nutri Pharma announced today the results of a clinical trial demonstrating that its new isolated soy protein (ISP) is significantly better at lowering serum cholesterol values than the best commercially available ISP (control ISP).

In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 120 hypercholesterolemic individuals, Nutri Pharma`s new ISP decreased serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol significantly more than the control ISP. The serum LDL-cholesterol reduction with the Nutri Pharma ISP was 92% greater than with the control ISP.

The new soy protein opens up the possibility for superiority claims.

The development of Nutri Pharma’s new ISP is a result of the company identifying that altering the biochemical structure of soy protein may adversely affect the cholesterol lowering effects in humans. Nutri Pharma's new ISP is based on the company’s understanding of the mechanisms by which soy proteins lower cholesterol, and show how the key components of the protein can be protected during processing.

Nutri Parma’s new ISP is also reported being more than 95% soluble – this is especially noteworthy when compared to the 20-55% solubility of most other isolated soy proteins.

This development is of particular significance given the continuing growth of the soy market. Since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States approved a health claim relating soy to cholesterol reduction in 1999, the US soy market has seen double-digit growth and, with the Joint Health Claims Initiative (JHCI) approved claim in the UK in 2002, significant growth is also expected in this market.

Nutri Pharma’s new ISP is expected to further improve the beneficial effects of Abacor“, published at the New Functional Ingredients and Foods Congress in Copenhagen, April 9-11 2003, to be the most effective natural ingredient to lower cholesterol, compared to the best commercially available ISP.

With Nutri Pharma’s new ISP and superior, well-documented, patented products and technologies, the company is ideally positioned to provide product technologies to companies looking to take a lead in this growing soy market.

Nutri Pharma has filed for five new PCT patent applications for its novel soy protein products and process technologies for the incorporation of soy proteins into functional foods.

DOWNLOADS: Abstracts can be downloaded in PDF format from the research section.

For further information on Nutri Pharma and its patented soy technology please contact:
  
Camilla Butterworth Tel 020 7072 4100 cbutterworth@gciuk.com
James W. Anderson, Member - External Scientific Council jwandersmd@aol.com
  

 
  
 
NOTES TO EDITORS

 

Nutri Pharma Information

• Nutri Pharma is based on 20 years of research and development documenting efficacy and safety of soy proteins, compositions and technologies – 10 years to test soy components and a further 10 years, since the company was founded in 1993, to secure its IP platform within specialized soy ingredients and soy proteins.
• Nutri Pharma was listed on the Oslo Stock exchange in May 2000, which has made it possible to invest more than USD 50 million during the last three years, a significant proportion of which has been invested in R&D and patent processes, thereby securing the strong IP position.
• The patent portfolio is the most comprehensive in the soy industry – covering more than 1000 patent claims for various composition, process and methods of use patents. The patent portfolio is long lasting (until 2017-2023), and the patents are approved or applied for, in all major international markets.
• Nutri Pharma has developed new patent applications of isolated soy proteins, with proven superior efficacy and solubility (above 95%). The patents cover both product composition and process technology.
• Nutri Pharma has developed the third generation of Abacor®, which is the most effective natural ingredient reducing cholesterol, based on a new PCT composition patent application combining soy protein and phospholipids. Abacor® is registered in all major international markets.
• Abacor® has been shown, in a recent placebo-controlled, double-blind study, to be more than twice as effective lowering total cholesterol compared to the best commercial isolated soy protein.
• Abacor® has also been shown to significantly reduce cholesterol further in statin treated patients, and to significantly reduce LDL cholesterol in arteries, homocystein and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
• Nutri Pharma represents a profound knowledge and clinical documentation of soy in humans – more than 40 clinical and pre-clinical trials have been performed, many to the same high GCP standards as the pharmaceutical industry.
• Nutri Pharma, mainly an R&D organisation, is now seeking industrial partners in the food and pharma sectors with international reach for its patented technologies.