News Release
For immediate release
September 20, 2006
Natural Vitamin K2: New Patent-pending Cardiovascular
Health Indications
Announced by PL Thomas in Strategic
Alliance with Natto Pharma and VitaK
PL Thomas & Company (PLT)
of Morristown, NJ today announced new patent-pending indications
for its Natural Vitamin K2 marketed under the trademark
MenaQ7™. The role of Natural Vitamin K2 in bone health is well
established, and recent research has shown that of the group of
K vitamins, only
K2
is linked to cardiovascular health. The alliance between
PLT,
Natto Pharma, Norway and VitaK BV now allows MenaQ7 to be
offered for cardiovascular benefits with proprietary research
and US patents pending.
PLT is the exclusive North American representative for Natto
Pharma, Norway, the supplier of MenaQ7. Natto Pharma, as part
of the Strategic Alliance, has acquired three US patents pending
from
VitaK BV,
The Netherlands, which is closely associated with the
Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of
Maastricht. VitaK BV is recognized internationally as experts
in the field of Vitamin K, conducting fundamental research
supported by clinical studies. Further, Natto Pharma has
committed to a five-year, multimillion dollar research
initiative with VitaK, whereby the proprietary research and
subsequent intellectual property developed will be owned by
Natto Pharma.
According to Professor Cees Vermeer, PhD,
CEO of VitaK, “We have reached full agreement with NattoPharma
regarding the purchase of our three patents in the K2-nutrition
area. The most important claims are the use of K2 in
nutraceuticals, the use of
K2 regarding cardiovascular disease/mortality
and regression of arterial calcification, and the combinations
of
K2 and important nutrients including Omega-3 fatty acids.”
“These patents support Natto Pharma’s
natural vitamin K2,” Professor Vermeer continued, “the natural
vitamin K2 stability, absorption, activity and efficacy have
only been tested (at least in our lab) with the material
marketed by NattoPharma and PL Thomas.”
PL Thomas President
Paul Flowerman commented, “We are delighted to present to our
clients what we firmly believe is the most viable Vitamin K2
opportunity in all respects. MenaQ7 directly addresses important
bone and cardiovascular wellness issues. It is manufactured
under cGMP conditions, reliably supplied, and is supported by a
total commitment to the best existing and ongoing research and
intellectual property development. “
About MenaQ7
MenaQ7 provides Natural Vitamin K2 as an
extract of natto, a fermented soy food from
Japan. Natto is particularly rich in the highly bio-available
form of vitamin K2 called menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Studies of
Natto consumption in Japan have linked menaquinone-7 to greater
bone health and reduction in risk factors.
Natural Vitamin K2 also may provide
significant benefit to cardiovascular health due to its roles in
calcium utilization and promoting matrix Gla-protein, a potent
inhibitor of vascular calcification. For example, in a study
published in The Journal of Nutrition with over 4,000
participants, those with the highest natural
K2 consumption had a 50% reduction in risk of
cardiovascular events.
About PL Thomas
PL Thomas, a New Jersey-based ingredient
supplier, offers fifty years of innovation in securing reliable,
high quality raw materials for the food/functional food and
nutrition industries.
PLT is a one-stop resource for application solutions, current
industry information and technical service, and specializes in
water-soluble gums and clinically-supported botanical extracts.
For more information, please contact
Eric Anderson at 973-984-0900, x215 or eric@plthomas.com
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