NattoPharma ASA, Oslo, Norway, has been awarded a patent that allows the company to claim that MK-7 inhibits or reduces the incidence of age-related hardening of the arteries in individuals with cardiovascular conditions. The patent covers providing an effective amount of vitamin K in combination with vitamin D to reduce the incidence of age-related stiffening of arteries in doses appropriate to dietary supplement ranges, as well as food and beverage products. This U.S. patent (no. 9364447 re. “Compositions for treating or preventing cardiovascular disease”) was approved on June 14.
 
“Being awarded this patent clearly validates the discovery of the cardiovascular benefits of vitamin K2 made by the researchers with whom NattoPharma has had the pleasure of working with for years,” said NattoPharma CEO Daniel Rosenbaum. “The issuing of this patent further legitimizes the clinical benefits that show the cardio-protective benefits vitamin K2 delivers by even reversing age-related hardening of the arteries. We anticipate exploring opportunities for growth through dietary supplements and functional/fortified foods, as well as future cardiovascular pharmaceutical applications as a result of this intellectual
 property.”
 
NattoPharma has invested considerable resources in technology development and patenting around vitamin K2, and said that the company is actively using and will use patents—through patent life—as a competitive advantage for companies that buy NattoPharma’s MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7.