JERUSALEM, September 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Granalix BioTechnologies today announced the commercial launch
of GranaGard™ a food supplement based on pomegranate oil that was
shown to prevent neurodegeneration diseases in mouse models.
GranaGard, is a submicron Pomegranate Seed Oil (PSO) emulsion,
and is an innovative formulation of one of the strongest natural
antioxidants, Punicic acid (an Omega 5 lipid), which constitutes
80% of PSO. The novel patented formulation was shown to delay
disease onset and prevent neuronal death in a model of genetic
prion disease (a form of Mad Cow Disease)[i] and to
reduce disease burden in a mouse model of Multiple
Sclerosis[ii], while showing no toxicity after long term
administration. In both diseases, GranaGard administration results
in reduction of brain lipid oxidation, which is caused by increased
levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Prof. Ruth Gabizon,
Founder and acting CEO of Granalix
BioTechnologies, explained, "Reactive Oxygen
species (ROS) are chemically active molecules that can lead to
significant damage to cells, and in particular in the central
nervous system. It is therefore widely accepted that this chemical
agents contributes to chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative
diseases. And while anti-oxidants that can counteract ROS are
ubiquitously present in a healthy human diet, their activity is
limited by chemical degradation, poor bioavailability, reduced
distribution to the CNS, and sub-pharmacological doses. To overcome
these limitations, we generated GranaGard, a novel neuroprotective
formulation with high bioavailability. In addition to its
protective role in subjects at risk of neurodegenerative
conditions, GranaGard is expected to be effective for general
neurological wellbeing for the larger public. We are also currently
testing GranaGard for its effect in various non-neurological
diseases and as a protective agent during intense exercise."
"GranaGard can currently be purchased at the Company's website.
In addition, the product will soon be available in pharmacies in
Mexico and we are seeking
additional partners for world-wide distribution," added Prof.
Gabizon.
PSO submicron droplets have several advantages. First, the nano
formulation may avoid the first passage of the oil through the
liver, thereby enhancing the availability of the droplets to other
organs such as the CNS. GranaGard is then able to enter the brain
and protect membrane lipids from ROS attacks that occur as a result
of both every-day efforts and pathological events. In vivo,
Punicic Acid is metabolized into Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a
compound known for its neuroprotective and other beneficial
effects. When mice are given the GranaGard formulation, CLA was
found to accumulate in the brain and can directly exert its
neuroprotective effect.
GranaGard™ is produced by Supherb and can be purchased at the
Company's website at http://www.granalix.com.
About Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease,
Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Parkinson's or Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS) are late onset brain disorders that together affect
millions of people around the globe. Alzheimer's disease is the
5th leading cause of death for people aged 65 or older
in the US, and one in three seniors in the US will suffer from some
form of dementia. Currently, there are no preventive or curative
treatments for these conditions, while the number of people living
with these diseases increases globally due to the increase in life
expectancy.
About Granalix BioTechnologies
Granalix BioTechnologies focuses on developing science-based
novel formulations of natural antioxidants that can be used for the
prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. The
Company was established in 2014 by Prof. Ruth Gabizon from the Department of Neurology at
Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem,
Israel and Prof. Shlomo
Magdassi at the Casali Center for Applied Chemistry, the
Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology at the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, as a spinoff of Yissum Research Development
Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the
technology-transfer company of the Hebrew
University, and Hadasit, the Technology Transfer Company of
Hadassah Medical Organization.
i. Mizrahi M. et al. (2014) Pomegranate seed oil nanoemulsions for
the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: the
case of genetic CJD. Nanomedicine, 10: 1353-1363.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2014.03.015
ii. Binyamin O. et al. (2015) Treatment of a multiple sclerosis
animal model by a novel nanodrop formulation of a natural
antioxidant. International Journal of Nanomedicine
10:7165-7174.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S92704
Media Contact:
Tsipi Haitovsky
Global Media Liaison
Granalix BioTechnologies Ltd.
Tel: +972-52-598-9892
E-mail: tsipihai5@gmail.com
SOURCE Granalix BioTechnologies
