What intellectual property protection does Algatech have?

The biotechnology utilized by Algatech is proprietary and patented. The process patent has been granted in the United States, Europe, Canada, and South Africa, and is pending in many other countries (the inventor is Prof. Sammy Boussiba et al.)

What are Algatech’s technology platforms?

Algatech is focused on increasing the value of its intellectual property, the core of which is the Photobioreactor Tubular System technology platform for the production of natural astaxanthin and other valuable products originating in microalgae. The growth in intellectual property value is being underwritten in the following ways:

1. By seeking to follow an international patenting program both for new technologies, applications, and products

2. By expanding the number of products in the development portfolio

3. By clinical development of selected products for specific diseases

4. Algatech has a unique platform technology for the cultivation of microalgae and will seek close commercial partners in order to facilitate the marketing and further development of our products.

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What is Astaxanthin’s possible mechanism of action?

· Astaxanthin, like other carotenoids, can act as quencher of singlet oxygen and other free radicals by absorbing the excited energy of singlet oxygen onto the polyene electron-rich chain, resulting first in the excitation of the carotenoid to a triplet state, and then in the dissipation of the extra energy in the form of heat by relaxation back to the ground state. In this way it prevents cellular components or tissues from being damaged. The carotenoid structure remains unchanged, and ready to act as a radical quencher.

· Astaxanthin can act also as a chain-breaking anti-oxidant and therefore protect lipid-rich cell membranes from degradative oxidation via the formation of lipid hydroperoxides.

· Natural astaxanthin is a dietary supplement with extremely powerful antioxidant benefits for human applications.

· Natural astaxanthin traps more free radicals than any other antioxidant.

· Natural astaxanthin is proven to cross the human blood brain barrier and therefore has the ability to directly act as a superb antioxidant in the brain and eyes.

· As a result of having a hydrophobic, “oil-loving” polyene chain on one hand and a “water-loving”, keto-hydroxyl-substituted ionone ring on the other, astaxanthin is capable of spanning the cell membrane bilayer, conferring antioxidant protection and strengthening the entire cell membrane.

· Astaxanthin enhances the action of other antioxidants like Vitamin E and C.

· Astaxanthin protects the nucleic acid components of DNA, thereby preventing mutations of genetic material due to oxidative stress.

· Astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties, both as a quencher of singlet oxygen and a scavenger of free radicals, gives it its ability to protect lipids from peroxidation, the dramatic effect on preventing DNA damage being thereby clearly demonstrated.

· In vitro studies under specific laboratory conditions in several discrete and independent studies have clearly and unequivocally indicated that astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties are 10-500 times more powerful than those of other commercial carotenoids and of Vitamin E.

· Astaxanthin’s superb antioxidant properties are believed to be the reason for its potential benefits for human health.

Astaxanthin: a superb natural antioxidant

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What are the potential applications for astaxanthin?

· Reduces inflammation by quenching reactive oxygen species*

· Protects cell and mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage**

· Dramatically decreases DNA damage*

· Crosses the blood brain barrier** and may assist in maintaining neurological health.

· Boosts immune system function by increasing the number of antibody-producing cells*

· Stimulates the immune system by increasing the total number of T-cells*

· Inhibits lipid peroxidation that may cause plaque formation in the
circulatory system.

· Prevents the initiation of tumorigenesis in the tongue, oral cavity, large intestine,
bladder, and breast**

· Protects the eyes and skin from UVA and UVB damage by quenching singlet and triplet oxygen**

· Reduces the number of new and abnormal cells in the liver**

* Confirmed in human clinical studies
** Confirmed in preclinical studies

· Astaxanthin- a superb natural antioxidant

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What is the advantage of astaxanthin over other carotenoids and antioxidants?

· Demonstrated to be bioavailable in human studies.

· At least 10 times more effective as an antioxidant than beta-carotene (in vitro).

· Up to 500 times more effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation as an antioxidant than Vitamin E (in vitro).

· At least four times the antioxidant capacity of lutein (in vitro).
· More stable in scavenging and quenching than beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, or zeaxanthin (in vitro).

· Most potent antioxidant for immune modulation enhancement

· More effective than lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene in immune protection against tumorigenesis

· Enhances the actions of Vitamins C and E

· The enhanced activity of astaxanthin may stem from its molecular structure. Astaxanthin belongs to the xanthophyll group of carotenoids, or the oxygenated carotenoids (see other members of this group in Fig. 1).

· The hydroxyl and keto functional groups (see Fig. 1) present in the ending ionone ring of astaxanthin may be responsible for its uniquely powerful antioxidant activity and for its ability to span the membrane bilayers as a direct result of its more polar configuration relative to other carotenoids, and the charge stabilization that is possible to attain by keto-hydroxy resonance in the terminal ionone rings.

· Carotenoids with polar end groups like astaxanthin span the lipid membrane bilayer with their end groups located near the hydrophobic <> hydrophilic interface, where free-radical attack occurs.

· The remarkable antioxidant properties of astaxanthin are believed to be the key factor in its potential protective activity of the immune system, and its protection offered against UV photo-oxidation, inflammation, cancer, and other age-related diseases.

· Astaxanthin- a superb natural antioxidant

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What peer-reviewed literature has been issued to date?

There are more than 300 publications and patents concerning astaxanthin.
For a review and references describing the immense potential of astaxanthin, click here.

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Information provided in this article is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.
The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Astaxanthin from Algatech is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.