Unigen patents antioxidant for cosmetics
usage patent for aloesin and aloeresin A, antioxidant aloe
chromones that are contained in its Pervarin and Aloewhite
commercial raw materials.
The patent states that the ingredient is suitable for oral and topical formulations - making it ideal for use in skincare applications, as well as in supplements and food fortification.
Pervarin is currently used in dietary supplements and medical foods - that is, foods available only on the recommendation of a physician to meet a patient's specific dietary need. The announcement also means that the company will further expand its operations in the cosmeceutical area.
It contains a significant amount of aloeresin A, said Unigen's chief scientific officer Dr Qi Jia, and can support the body's endogenous antioxidation functions against damage caused by lipid peroxidation through oral or topical administration.
Aloewhite contains more than 90 percent aloesin and can be formulated into anti-aging and sun care cosmetic products.
The company said that aloeresin A, was four times more potent than the standardized green tea and grape seed extracts, three times more potent than vitamin E, even at low concentration, and stronger too than a?tocopherol and vitamin C as measured by lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity.
Aloesin is also claimed to have an oxygen radical absorbance capacity than standardized green tea and grape seed extracts.
Both Pervarin and Aloewhite have been on the market for the past 18 months.
"This utility patent will offer protection to Unigen's intellectual property and will enhance the product value for our business partners," said Jia.
The company would not disclose which companies currently market products containing the Pervarin and Aloewhite, however, as they are sold under license and Unigen's customers change the name to prevent them from becoming a commodity.
Regan Miles, Unigen executive vice president, did say that he expects the patents to result in more sales of the ingredients:
"We see more and more that companies don't want to evaluate a product unless it is unique and has a patent."
Both Pervarin and Aloewhite have been under evaluation by multinational companies for almost a year, but no product launch date has yet been announced.
"My guess is that it will be in the next twelve months," he said. In January the natural ingredients supplier was granted a utility patent for its insect-derived policosanol ingredient - an announcement expected to facilitate further development of commercial products aimed at managing blood lipids and associated health concerns.
