Cyanotech Receives Notice of Allowance for Patent Covering the Use of Astaxanthin to Retard and Prevent Sunburn.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii--(BW HealthWire)--June 6, 2002 Patent Covers Use of Astaxanthin in Both Oral and Topical Applications Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq NMS See NetWare Management System. : CYAN) has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO or USPTO) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides patent protection to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property (USPTO USPTO abbr. United States Patent and Trademark Office ) for its patent application entitled "Method for Retarding and Preventing Sunburn sunburn, inflammation of the skin caused by actinic rays from the sun or artificial sources. Moderate exposure to ultraviolet radiation is followed by a red blush, but severe exposure may result in blisters, pain, and constitutional symptoms. by UV Light," based on the protective properties of astaxanthin. The patent covers the use of natural and synthetic astaxanthin as a single active ingredient to retard and prevent sunburn in both oral and topical applications. This is the third United States patent Cyanotech has received for the protective properties of astaxanthin. Cyanotech produces natural astaxanthin for its BioAstin(R) dietary supplements. The Company found in an earlier human clinical evaluation that consuming BioAstin natural astaxanthin for two weeks significantly increases the duration of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure required to create sunburn. Natural astaxanthin, the active ingredient in BioAstin, has been shown to be a potent antioxidant antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antioxidants as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), butylated hydroxytoluene over 500 times stronger than vitamin E and 10 times stronger than beta-carotene. Astaxanthin has also been shown to enhance and modulate the immune system. These effects in combination or separately may reduce the acute inflammation reaction of the skin and tissue just beneath the skin that follows excessive exposure to UV radiation, which leads to sunburn. "Products acting to retard or prevent sunburn comprise a market estimated at more than $500 million annually," said Gerald R. Cysewski, Ph.D., Cyanotech CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "The potential of BioAstin natural astaxanthin in both topical and oral sunscreen applications may prove to be significant as suncare companies like Sea & Ski (www.sea-and-ski.com) have introduced multiple-ingredient topical products containing natural astaxanthin. Additionally, three European companies are now selling or developing oral or topical sunscreen products using BioAstin." -- Cyanotech Corporation, the world's leader in microalgae technology, produces high-value natural products from microalgae, and is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin (pronounced "asta-zan-thin") from microalgae. Products include BioAstin(R) natural astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with expanding applications as a human nutraceutical; NatuRose(R) natural astaxanthin for the aquaculture aquaculture, the raising and harvesting of fresh- and saltwater plants and animals. The most economically important form of aquaculture is fish farming, an industry that accounts for an ever increasing share of world fisheries production. and animal feed industries; Spirulina spirulina Any cyanobacteria in the genus Spirulina. A traditional food source in parts of Africa and Mexico, spirulina is an exceptionally rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein, and one of the few nonanimal sources of vitamin B12. Pacifica(R), a nutrient-rich dietary supplement; and phycobiliproteins, which are fluorescent pigments used in the immunological diagnostics market. Spirulina and BioAstin are sold directly online through www.nutrex-hawaii.com and www.bioastinxp.com as well as through resellers in over 30 countries. Corporate and product information is available at www.cyanotech.com |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion