A Christchurch biotechnology company that four years ago extracted antioxidants from pine tree bark, put them into tablets, and started selling them as a dietary supplement, has launched a new venture.
Enzo Nutriceuticals Ltd has partnered with crown science company Hortresearch to set up a "biomedical" company that will seek to
register pine bark extracts as botanical drugs, and to have it accepted by the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The drugs will be initially targeted at alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy but the joint venture company, Aegis Bioactives, is expected to roll out its product range to wealthy people keen to combat the degenerative effects of ageing.
The Aegis company's seven scientists have identified the radiata pine extracts as "exceptionally potent and effective agents" which can be developed as products to prevent many age-related diseases including heart disease, alzheimers, cancer and stroke, according to Enzo chief executive Larry Stenswick.
Hortresearch chief executive Ian Warrington said the science company had invested a lot of money in natural bioactive compounds in recent years but by joining with Enzo it acquired a lead product, a portfolio base and a clear path to the market.
" Aegis Bioactives is a real leap forward toward our goal of proving the health benefits of these extracts," Dr Warrington said.
Mr Stenswick said Aegis would at some stage have to join up with a multinational drug company, because it was likely the full regime of testing and clinical trials required by the FDA would cost $50 million or more.
- NZPA
