11.01.09
Valensa International, Eustis, FL, has initiated a broad licensing effort for a University of Illinois patent (U.S. 5,527,533 and its foreign equivalents) for the use of astaxanthin in eye health dietary supplement applications. FutureBiotics (NY), Swanson Health Products (ND) and Life Extension Vitamins (AZ) have each acquired licenses for use of the Valensa astaxanthin patent. The patent covers the use of astaxanthin as a dietary supplement for amelioration of free radical- and light-induced retinal damage, age-related macular degeneration, photoreceptor cell retinal damage and damage to neurons of inner retinal layers, among other claims.