Sean Moloughney06.04.09
Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a bioavailable form of natural lycopene called Ateronon that they claim can reduce oxidation levels of LDL cholesterol to nearly zero within eight weeks.
Cambridge Theranostics Ltd (CTL), a biotechnology company with roots at Cambridge University, will launch this dietary supplement as an over-the-counter product through Boots, Lloyds and other high street pharmacies beginning in July.
Found in tomatoes, lycopene has been recognized as an antioxidant with properties that can protect against heart disease.
Ateronon is a reformulation of a lactolycopene complex originally developed by Nestle, in its search for an easily absorbed, bioavailable formulation of lycopene. Recognizing unique patent position of CTL in screening and development of a new treatment for atherosclerosis, Nestle licensed the formula to CTL, but retains a financial interest in the end product.
CTL scientists developed the lycopene formulation further to optimize its absorption, creating the product Ateronon.
Further trials are underway at Cambridge University and Harvard Medical School to see how well it performs in other studies. “We are very excited about the potential of Ateronon,” said Gunter Schmidt, a senior cell biologist and chief executive of CTL. “The research so far has produced extremely encouraging results, and we are confident there is much more to come.”
Cambridge Theranostics Ltd (CTL), a biotechnology company with roots at Cambridge University, will launch this dietary supplement as an over-the-counter product through Boots, Lloyds and other high street pharmacies beginning in July.
Found in tomatoes, lycopene has been recognized as an antioxidant with properties that can protect against heart disease.
Ateronon is a reformulation of a lactolycopene complex originally developed by Nestle, in its search for an easily absorbed, bioavailable formulation of lycopene. Recognizing unique patent position of CTL in screening and development of a new treatment for atherosclerosis, Nestle licensed the formula to CTL, but retains a financial interest in the end product.
CTL scientists developed the lycopene formulation further to optimize its absorption, creating the product Ateronon.
Further trials are underway at Cambridge University and Harvard Medical School to see how well it performs in other studies. “We are very excited about the potential of Ateronon,” said Gunter Schmidt, a senior cell biologist and chief executive of CTL. “The research so far has produced extremely encouraging results, and we are confident there is much more to come.”