ChromaDex Corporation, an innovative natural products company has licensed from Green Molecular, SL exclusive worldwide patent rights related to pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations of pterostilbene for topical application for prevention and/or treatment of skin diseases, damage or injuries, including those relating to aging and exposure to the sun.

The acquisition brings the total number of patents and patents pending relating to pterostilbene owned by ChromaDex to eight. This is the second acquisition made by ChromaDex of worldwide patent rights for pTeroPure associated with skincare. In September 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with the University of California, Irvine, for the exclusive rights to a joint patent application filed by ChromaDex and the University.

According to Mintel research, it is anticipated that the US market for skincare will reach almost $5 billion in 2013, with expected continued growth due to demand for anti-aging products. Companies are seeking innovative skincare solutions for their customers that are backed by science and protected by intellectual property.

Frank Jaksch, founder and CEO of ChromaDex states, "We intend to continue our strategy to build intellectual property around our ingredients. By building a robust skincare IP portfolio, we are positioning to become a meaningful provider of patent protected innovative ingredient technologies to this growing multi-billion dollar market place."

Dr Jose M Estrela, research director of Green Molecular, commented, "I am excited to have this collaboration with ChromaDex. Pterostilbene, as well as its possible association with other structurally-related natural polyphenols, has multiple applications in Biomedicine (see e.g. Estrela JM et al. Pterostilbene: Biomedical applications. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2013 May;50(3):65-78). Working with ChromaDex will allow for pterostilbene's cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications in skin care and pathology to reach the market."

pTeroPure, ChromaDex's branded nature identical form of pterostilbene, is an antioxidant found in blueberries and was named the 2010 North American Most Promising Ingredient of the Year by the independent research company Frost & Sullivan. In September 2012, ChromaDex announced findings from a phase II/III trial at the University of Mississippi Medical Centre demonstrating that pTeroPure significantly reduced blood pressure in adults. Pterostilbene has superior biological activity, better oral bioavailability and metabolizes more slowly in the body than other polyphenols -- an antioxidant phytochemical that tends to prevent or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals -- allowing more time for its antioxidant activities to act. Along with a number of other effects, pterostilbene has shown great promise for supporting heart health, cognitive function, anti-aging, weight loss and other metabolic disorders. The amount of pterostilbene present in a typical serving of blueberries is a tiny fraction of the amount needed to realize its benefits.

ChromaDex is an innovative natural products company that discovers, acquires, develops and commercializes proprietary-based ingredient technologies through its unique business model that utilizes its wholly owned synergistic business units, including ingredient technologies, natural product fine chemicals (known as "phytochemicals"), chemistry and analytical testing services, and product regulatory and safety consulting (as Spherix Consulting).

Green Molecular is a spin-off company promoted by Cross Road Biotech (www.crbinverbio.com), a VC focused in life sciences, and the University of Valencia (Spain). Green Molecular working aim is focused on the development of the health benefits of natural polyphenols.