Krill pre-clinicals presented at symposia
CaPre is owned by Acasti Pharma which is a subsidiary of Canadian krill leader Neptune Technologies & Bioressources.
The study – ‘CaPre, an Omega-3: Phospholipid, Managing Dyslipidemia in Three Marine Phenotypes’ – is the work of Dr Steven Adelman, PhD, FAHA, CEO and founder of Vascular Strategies LLC, a biotech start-up.
Daniel Rader from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine also worked on the research.
The pre-clinical results showed CaPre – an ingredient Acasti is hoping to enter into the prescription drug space – could reduced triglycerides by 60 percent and bad cholesterol (LDL) by 28 percent, while raising good cholesterol (HDL) by 25 percent.
“This is the first of three studies we are working on together, and we are looking forward to expanding to further preclinical and clinical studies soon," said Acasti president, Dr Tina Sampalis.
Last year Neptune signed a deal with Bayer to bring krill forms to the pharma market.
At the time Sampalis said: "As planned, it has been strategic to invest the time and resources into building a complete portfolio of scientific data, intellectual property and regulatory approvals which ultimately allowed the company to attract the best partner.”
She said Bayer was in its estimation, “the right marketer that can create broad consumer awareness leveraged by our substantial scientific data and that can create large market share for Neptune”.
Krill are tiny shrimp gaining attention as a rich source of omega-3, as well as other nutrients.
There are about 85 species of the deepwater marine planktonic crustacean, or deepwater shrimp, which the planet's most abundant animal biomass and which when captured and converted to oil, pack 48 times the antioxidant punch of standard fish oils, according to ORAC antioxidant scales.
Neptune’s products are available in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
