ChromaDex

Early history

ChromaDex was founded in 1999. According to a Standard & Poor's research report, the company was created "in response to growing demand for natural product reference standards, materials and services. It has worked to establish itself as an industry leader in nutraceutical and botanical certification, and even publishes its own manual outlining specifications for phytochemicals." On July 14, 2008 ChromaDex merged with CDI Acquisition, a subsidiary of Cody Resources Inc. On July 29, 2008 the company completed a private placement agreement, which yielded gross proceeds of $4.67 million.

Later in 2008, ChromaDex (OTCQX: CDXC) became a publicly traded company. Shares of ChromaDex are traded on the OTC Markets QX Marketplace. As of April 2015, there were 108 million shares outstanding.

ChromaDex catalogue

The ChromaDex catalogue "provides phytochemical reference standards, botanical reference materials and research grade materials for the natural products industry." The company sells over 3,000 phytochemicals and 470 botanical reference materials in its catalogue. The company's products reach a wide range of markets including food & beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, research organizations and governmental groups.

pTeroPure

ChromaDex received exclusive worldwide patent rights for its pTeroPure pterostilbene product based on the technology licensed from the University of Mississippi and the USDA. Pterostilbene belongs to a class of compounds called phytoalexins, which are antimicrobial substances synthesized de novo by plants that accumulate rapidly at areas of incompatible pathogen infection.

Pterostilbene and resveratrol have similar pharmacologic properties. However pterostilbene has exhibited advantages over resveratrol including superior biological activity, better oral bioavailability, and a slower metabolizing time, which provides more time for the compound's antioxidant activities to act.

According to the USDA, "pterostilbene is one of many aromatic hydrocarbons called stilbenes." ChromaDex's pTeroPure is an identical form of trans-pterostilbene.

The University of California, Irvine, is currently studying pTeroPure for its efficacy as a treatment for melanomas and other skin cancers when used in a skincare product.

Niagen & Nicotinamide riboside technology

On July 13, 2011, Cornell University announced it granted ChromaDex exclusive worldwide rights to a novel manufacturing process for nicotinamide riboside (NR). NR, a vitamin found in milk, is a more potent version of niacin (vitamin B3). Like niacin, NR is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which is elevated by a calorie restricted diet. Increasing cellular NAD has demonstrated cell-protective and positive metabolic effects. In laboratory tests, "NR has shown promise for improving cardiovascular health, glucose levels and cognitive function and has demonstrated evidence of anti-ageing effects."

ChromaDex markets and sells nicotinamide riboside as an ingredient under the brand name Niagen.

In 2015, ChromaDex announced the results of its first clinical study, stating "Niagen Nicotinamide Riboside Effectively Increases the Co-enzyme NAD+ and is Safe".

In 2016, ChromaDex initiated a second human clinical trial on Niagen, a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled parallel study in 140 healthy adults ranging in age from 40-60, to examine the benefits if taken daily for eight consecutive weeks

Contract research services & capabilities

ChromaDex also offers contract research services that help customers source raw materials, identify new compounds and develop processes for large scale manufacturing. The company also has a number of analytical capabilities including gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, Near-infrared spectroscopy, and high performance liquid chromatography.