EL DORADO HILLS, Calif., Jan. 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- NutraCea (OTCBB:NTRZ), a leading nutraceutical research and development company, announced today that the U.S. Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance, allowing 20 claims under a patent entitled "Method of Treating Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis". This notice is the final step of the patent application process before the actual issuance of the patent, which is expected to take place in approximately 90-120 days.
According to Dr. Rukmini Cheruvanky, Chief Science Officer of NutraCea, "We are very pleased to receive this powerful patent allowance. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has allowed claims that rice bran derivatives, more specifically, the company's RiSolubles and RiceMucil products, may inhibit platelet aggregation, inhibit HMGCoA reductase activity, and dissolve aortic streaks, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in humans and mammals."
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the U.S. An estimated 105 million American adults have high total blood cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol, chances are that your physician is going to recommend a cholesterol lowering drug. But again, many traditional drugs have serious side effects. For example, Bayer's (NYSE:BAY) Baycol was pulled off the market when at least 100 people died after taking it. All statin drugs, including Pfizer's (NYSE:FZ) Lipitor can increase your chances of developing potentially fatal conditions that may lead to kidney failure.
"We have previously received a patent with allowed claims for reducing LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein-B and triglycerides in patients suffering from atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and xanthomatosis, a very serious form of hardening of the arteries. We are very excited about receiving the claim for inhibiting platelet aggregation as we are conducting a study at the University of New Mexico on the anti-thrombotic effects of these same products in reversing cerebrovascular disease," says Cheruvanky.
This is exactly what NutraCea's business model is all about. NutraCea demonstrates the safety and efficacy of its nutraceutical products by conducting double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled clinical trials, and then secures its intellectual property rights by obtaining the necessary patent protection.
NutraCea is the company behind revolutionary nutraceutical products that are safe, non-toxic and all-natural, which the company believes may provide it with a competitive edge over traditional pharmaceutical solutions. The company has conducted scientific research to discover how the nutrients in its products help the human body heal itself. The results from limited clinical trials are astonishing: NutraCea's products may provide significant relief for type 1 and type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels. They may also impact various cardiovascular diseases by lowering cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B levels. The company's products may also help the body maximize health by normalizing weight and metabolism as well as enhancing liver and immune functions.
NutraCea doesn't expect to become a serious challenger for existing pharmaceutical solutions. However, the company's goal is to become the market leader in the all-natural and non-toxic nutraceutical segment of the overall market.
NutraCea's business model is based on the development of proprietary, patented, revolutionary nutraceutical products. The company's core expertise is in original research and product development, as well as in its capacity to swiftly demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its nutraceutical products for humans and animals.
NutraCea is in the process of expanding its business model of entering into strategic alliances with powerful wholesale and retail distribution and merchandising companies. This should allow the company to leverage its partners' merchandising and marketing expertise to create a rapid market penetration for our breakthrough products.
NutraCea believes its business model is very similar to the model commonly utilized by the biotechnology industry. Unlike biotech companies, however, NutraCea doesn't have to go through the expensive, time-consuming and risky FDA approval process to bring its nutraceutical products to market.
"It can take up to ten years and $500 million to take a new drug through the FDA process, without any guarantees that the drug will actually be approved. NutraCea, on the other hand, can bring its new products to market quickly, inexpensively and immediately when the product development and initial testing phases have been completed. To further enhance our competitive edge, we conduct extensive clinical trials and tests to determine the impact our products have on the human body and its ability to heal itself," states John Howell, President of NutraCea.
NutraCea's breakthrough nutraceutical products consist of stabilized rice bran derivatives. Rice bran is the most potent source of phytonutrients and antioxidants found in any food today. Unfortunately, it has been unusable for human consumption in the past because an enzyme in the brown rice kernel renders the bran rancid within hours of milling. NutraCea's products retain the vital nutrients of rice bran in a uniquely bioavailable form due to a major breakthrough in advanced processing technology. The company has subsequently launched a wide variety of nutraceutical products based on stabilized rice bran.
NutraCea has also conducted scientific research to discover how the nutrients in its products help the human body heal itself. The results from limited clinical trials are astonishing: the company's products may provide significant relief for type 1 and type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels. They may also prevent and treat various cardiovascular diseases by lowering cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B levels. NutraCea's products may also help the body maximize health by normalizing weight and metabolism as well as enhancing liver and immune functions.
To learn more about NutraCea's products, visit www.nutraceacorp.com.
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The matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the company's Annual Report, Quarterly Reports and other periodic filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
FDA Health Disclaimer: NutraCea's product related statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The company's products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before using any nutraceutical products.