Rice bran products gets clearance on heart disease
NutraCea could soon be marketing its stabilised rice bran
derivatives on the back of claims to beat cardiovascular disease.
The US patent office has given the green light to a 'notice of allowance', clearing 20 claims for the company's RiSolubles and RiceMucil products.
Under the application, the products can claim to 'inhibit platelet aggregation' and 'HMGCoA reductase activity', as well as dissolve 'aortic streaks', as a result reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in 'humans and mammals'.
"We are very pleased to receive this powerful patent allowance and we are excited about receiving the claim for inhibiting platelet aggregation as we are conducting a study at the University of New Mexico on the anti-thrombotic effects of these same products in reversing cerebrovascular disease," said Dr. Rukmini Cheruvanky, chief science officer at NutraCea.
As the number one killer in the US, products to beat cardiovascular disease hold considerable potential for financial gains. NutraCea believes that its non-toxic and natural products provide a competitive advantage over the traditional pharmaceutical players in the marketplace.
' "It can take up to ten years and $500 million to take a new drug through the FDA process, without any guarantees that the drug will actually be approved. NutraCea, on the other hand, can bring its new products to market quickly, inexpensively and immediately when the product development and initial testing phases have been completed.
To further enhance our competitive edge, we conduct extensive clinical trials and tests to determine the impact our products have on the human body and its ability to heal itself," said John Howell, president of . NutraCea.
Without confirming the details,in a bid to increase market penetration, the company said it is currently in talks with a number of wholesale, retail and merchandising companies to set up a raft of 'strategic alliances.'
