Nestlé Health Science enters licensing agreement with ChromaDex Corp. for ‘aging’ ingredient
Additionally, the deal gives Nestlé Health Science “co-exclusive rights to include Tru Niagen in certain products within the consumer health category,” according to a press release issued by NASDAQ-traded ChromaDex today.
A spokesperson for the company told NutraIngredients-USA that Nestlé’s exclusive right to use Tru Niagen only pertains to medical food products. Its co-exclusive rights, shared with ChromaDex, pertains to use in protein beverages. As for all other supplement development, ChromDex will “continue to grow Tru Niagen globally.”
Nicotinamide riboside, or NR, is a form of vitamin B3 that may boost the level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in human tissue. A depletion of NAD has been linked to cell senescence—in other words, NR can help reverse the signs of aging.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nestlé will make an upfront payment of $4 million. ChromaDex will receive certain commercial milestone payments related to the sale of its branded NR Tru Niagen to Nestlé as well as tiered royalties.
Territories in ChromaDex’s new agreement with Nestlé include North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
Apart from several US supplements brands that use Tru Niagen in their products, ChromDex also sells NR directly to consumers in the form of 300 mg capsules. The packaged supplement Tru Niagen is now available in the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, and most recently Canada, where it has been granted a Natural Product Number by the country’s health authority.
On this new deal with Nestlé Health Science, ChromaDex CEO Rob Fried said: “Nestlé Health Science is a blue chip global company whose expertise in consumer health products is matched by their exceptional science.”
“We believe Nestlé Health Science’s portfolio with Tru Niagen will substantially advance their already strong market position. Importantly, this partnership will help educate people on the importance of elevating NAD levels with Tru Niagen. We are proud to be in business with Nestlé and look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship.”
Greg Behar, CEO of Nestlé Health Science, stated, “We are quite impressed with the science supporting Tru Niagen, and the excellent work done by the team of professionals at ChromaDex. We see this innovation as an important element of our product portfolio. We are confident that Tru Niagen combined with our Nestlé Health Science products and supported by strong scientific and clinical evidence will provide consumers the opportunity to improve the health of their cells with the power of nutrition.”
