Frutarom, Switzerland Ltd., penetrates the German vascular health market with its Vitis vinifera L, Red Vine Leaf Extract EFLA 945, following the latest European Patent Office (EPO) decision to revoke Boehringer Ingelheim's patent EP 1 300 084 “composition for treatment of chronic venous insufficiencies (CVI) comprising of an extract of red vine leaves.”

“On September 20, 2011, EPO’s final conclusion to revoke this patent opened new horizons for our Vitis vinifera L. aqueous extract, Red Vine Leaf EFLA 945” explains Raul Cortada, Global VP of Sales and Marketing for Frutarom Health. “Our Red Vine Leaf Extract EFLA 945 is scientifically backed by bibliographic studies and its triple-powerful standardization of three markers: polyphenols, anthocyanins and trans-resveratrol. This makes it a cutting-edge natural ingredient in the vascular health market. We have successfully proven to the board of appeal that Boehringer’s patent failed to contain any innovative step. This will help us to open the market to this advanced natural solution, especially in Germany where Boehringer is active.”

Varicose veins are a relatively common condition, and for many people they are a family trait. Women are twice as likely as men to develop its symptoms. In the United States alone, nearly 10 per cent of all adult men and 20 per cent of adult women suffer from the precursive “Heavy Legs” syndrome to some extent.

EFLA 945 contains high, amounts of polyphenols and anthocyanins (which have a distinctive antioxidant effect) and trans-resveratrol to inhibit the platelet agglutination involved in heavy leg syndrome and varicose veins. EFLA 945 supports vascular health via three mechanisms countering CVI resulting in vessel protection; promoting lipid metabolism; and reducing plaque formation for atherosclerosis. The standardized extraction process is validated at our state-of-the-art Swiss plant with PIC GMP certification. “One of the most important advantages of EFLA 945 is the synergetic effect of the active ingredients,” explains Cortada. “The result is a powerful nutrient that can target several specific health conditions, including venous insufficiency and even Economy Class Syndrome, medically known as Deep Vein Thrombosis.”

Research with EFLA 945 shows it to be extremely potent for LDL-oxidation prevention. It is characterized with a high ORAC value, all together positioning it as an effective ingredient in the vascular health market. Red Vine Leaf Extract EFLA 945 provides excellent solubility for beverage applications due to the water extraction method and is also ideal for use in capsules or tablets forms.

The Frutarom Group is a rapidly growing global flavour and fine ingredients company develops, manufactures and markets an extensive variety of high quality flavours and natural fine ingredients for customers in the food, beverage, flavour, fragrance, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food additive and cosmetic industries.