Study Publication

RNS Number : 8709D

Provexis PLC

12 July 2016

 

12 July 2016                                                    Provexis plc

Study publication - Fruitflow®: the first European Food Safety Authority-approved

natural cardio-protective functional ingredient

Provexis plc ("Provexis" or the "Company"), the business that develops, licenses and sells the proprietary, scientifically-proven Fruitflow® heart-health functional food ingredient, is pleased to confirm the publication of an important study for Fruitflow® in the European Journal of Nutrition.

The study, titled 'Fruitflow®: the first European Food Safety Authority-approved natural cardio-protective functional ingredient' includes a scientific summary of the entire Fruitflow® project from its inception and it is expected to be a significant opportunity to promote Fruitflow® further across scientific, trade customer and consumer channels. The study is available to view on the Company's website at www.provexis.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Fruitflow%C2%AE-the-first-European-Food-Safety-Authority-approved-natural-cardio-protective-functional-ingredient-07-Jul-16.pdf

Fruitflow® is a patented, scientifically-proven tomato extract which inhibits platelet aggregation, a known cause of heart attack, stroke and venous thrombosis. It is a natural product classified as a food which is easy to digest.

In May 2009 Fruitflow® was the first technology to be substantiated by the European Food Safety Authority ('EFSA') under the new Article 13(5) for proprietary and emerging science. In December 2009 the European Commission authorised the health claim 'Helps maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow'.

In 8 human trials, consumption of Fruitflow® has been proven to maintain healthy platelet aggregation and improve blood flow. In the largest single study for Fruitflow®, positive effects were observed in 97% of individuals tested. This compares favourably with single-drug therapies such as aspirin which can be ineffective in up to 30% of individuals; further, there are no recorded side effects from Fruitflow®.

On 31 May 2016 the Company announced in a trading update that more than 50 regional consumer healthcare brands containing Fruitflow® have now been launched by direct customers of DSM, with a number of further regional brands having been launched through DSM's distributor channels.

On 29 June 2016 the Company announced the launch of its new Fruitflow® + Omega-3 dietary supplement product, which is exclusively available through the Company's new e-commerce website www.fruitflowplus.com, the product also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FruitflowPlus

Fruitflow®+ Omega-3 is a two-in-one supplement in an easy to take capsule, supporting healthy blood flow and normal heart function. The added ingredient of Omega-3 has a separate, positive European Commission approved health claim: 'Omega-3 Fish Oil EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart'.

Fruitflow®+ Omega-3 offers the first natural, safe, scientifically proven solution for healthy blood flow and cardiovascular health. It can be used in primary prevention for healthy adults who understand the dangers of CVD and who want to take control of their diet and lifestyle to maintain cardiovascular health.

Fruitflow® and Fruitflow® + Omega-3 marketing initiatives

The Company and DSM are committed to a number of ongoing scientific and marketing initiatives for Fruitflow® and the Company's Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules, seeking to extend the reach of the existing science for Fruitflow® and give the products further global exposure. Scientific and marketing initiatives include:

·      A Key Opinion Leaders' roundtable in September 2016, which is expected to be a good opportunity to promote Fruitflow® more widely across key digital and other mainstream media channels; the event will be supported by a broader consumer PR campaign.

·      A digital marketing strategy which is in the process of being implemented, seeking to drive and optimise online leads and sales. Fruitflow®+ Omega-3 capsules will be promoted across DSM's key digital communities and channels, to include boosted posts on DSM's Facebook channels targeting health conscious consumers.

·      DSM's product video for Fruitflow® which is available to view via the Company's websites www.provexis.com and www.fruitflowplus.com

·      The Company remains in the process of submitting some of the underlying scientific studies for Fruitflow® for publication in appropriate scientific journals, to include the Company's Aspirin Comparison Human Trial for Fruitflow®, with further study publications envisaged in due course.

·      The Company's two stage collaboration agreement with the University of Oslo undertaking further research into the relationship between Fruitflow® and blood pressure regulation. The Company and the University are in the process of conducting the second stage of the collaboration work involving a small clinical trial in Oslo by way of a proof of principle study. The Company and the University expect to be able to complete the clinical trial in the next few months and the results of the proof of principle study will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

Dawson Buck, Chairman of Provexis, commented:

"We are delighted to announce the publication of this important study which is expected to be a significant opportunity to promote Fruitflow® further across scientific, trade customer and consumer channels.

The Company and DSM are committed to a number of ongoing scientific and marketing initiatives for Fruitflow® and the Company's Fruitflow® + Omega-3 capsules, seeking to extend the reach of the existing science for Fruitflow® and give the products further global exposure.

The publication of this study is another strongly positive development for Fruitflow® and the business."

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For further information please contact:

Provexis plc                                                                    Tel:         [phone]

Dawson Buck, Chairman                                                  [e-mail]

Ian Ford, Finance Director

Cenkos Securities plc                                                      Tel:         [phone]

Bobbie Hilliam

Notes for editors

About Provexis plc

AIM-listed Provexis is focused on the development and licensing of its proprietary, scientifically-proven Fruitflow® heart-health functional food ingredient.

In May 2009, the Company's Fruitflow® technology was the first to be substantiated by the European Food Safety Authority ("EFSA") under the new Article 13(5) for proprietary and emerging science. In December 2009 the European Commission authorised the health claim "Helps maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow", which was the first wording to be authorised under Article 13(5).

In June 2010 it was announced that the Company had entered into a long-term Alliance Agreement with DSM Nutritional Products to commercialise Fruitflow®, and in June 2015 the Company confirmed it had agreed significantly enhanced financial terms for its Alliance Agreement with DSM for Fruitflow®.

The Company's Alliance partner DSM Nutritional Products has developed the market actively for the Company's novel, patented Fruitflow® heart-health ingredient in all global markets, with over 50 regional consumer healthcare brands now having been launched by direct customers of DSM, and with a number of further regional brands having been launched through DSM's distributor channels.

An increasing number of further commercial projects have been initiated by DSM with prospective customers, including some prospective customers which are part of global businesses, with good prospects for these projects to be launched as consumer products. Interest in the technology exists in all major global markets.

On 29 June 2016 the Company launched a high quality dietary supplement product containing Fruitflow® and Omega-3 which is being sold initially from a separate, dedicated website www.fruitflowplus.com on a mail order basis.

The Company is engaged in a two stage collaboration agreement with the University of Oslo ('the University') to undertake further research into the relationship between Fruitflow® and blood pressure regulation. The Company is very pleased with the encouraging results from the first stage of the collaboration with strong evidence that a standard dose of Fruitflow® has the potential to give a clinically relevant reduction in systolic blood pressure. The Company and the University are now in the process of conducting a small clinical trial by way of a proof of principle study.

Provexis was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Reading, Berkshire.

Provexis shares are traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PXS.

For further information, please visit www.provexis.com

 

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