Thorne Research enters agreement to market ChromaDex’s Niagen ingredient

Thorne Research has entered an agreement with ChromaDex, a US-based natural products firm providing science-based solutions for cosmetics, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical and other industries, to market the newly launched ingredient Niagen.

Under the three-year agreement, worth $3.5m, Thorne Research will market ChromaDex’s Niagen which is a patented nicotinamide riboside (NR) ingredient.

As per the terms of the agreement, Thorne Research has marketing rights to use the ingredient in the nutritional supplements exclusively for the direct to healthcare-practitioner channel in the US and Canada.

In return, ChromaDex will receive royalty on sales of Thorne Research products with Niagen.

In addition, the two companies will also collaborate on the future human clinical trials of Niagen.

ChromaDex’s Niagen is said to have the potential to become a part of the portfolio of B-vitamin ingredients that are included in the products serving the multi-billion dollar markets such as multi-vitamins, nutraceuticals, weight-loss, energy drinks, sports nutrition, meal replacements, infant formula and food and beverage products.

Studies have shown that NR ingredient enhances muscle endurance, protects nerve cells from injury, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers serum cholesterol and limits diet-induced obesity.

Nicotinamide riboside also represents the next generation of vitamin B3, providing the benefits of niacin but without the disturbing flush that impairs patient compliance.

Thorne Research CEO Paul Jacobson said Niagen is one of the most exciting new ingredients introduced in the nutritional supplement market in the last 10 years.

"We are thrilled to be the first manufacturer in our market sector to be able to incorporate this ingredient, and we plan on having a series of first-to-market products that incorporate Niagen™," Jacobson added.