Reliv Acquires Exclusive Rights to 'Superfood' Lunasin
July 24 2013 - 11:30AM
Reliv International, Inc. (Nasdaq:RELV), a maker of nutritional
supplements that promote optimal health, today announced that it
has entered into an exclusive license for the intellectual property
of Soy Labs LLC related to the nutritional ingredient lunasin.
Lunasin is a naturally occurring peptide research has identified as
the key to many of soy's documented health benefits, from
cholesterol reduction to general cellular health.
The license covers an issued patent and several patent
applications related to lunasin and soy-related peptides,
proprietary information and manufacturing processes of Soy Labs.
Further, the arrangement allows certain Soy Labs employees to join
the Reliv corporate staff.The License Agreement is for a term
covering the entire period of the basic patent and then provides
for a full assignment of all of the technology rights to Reliv.
Reliv will make minimum payments of $1,150,000 initially and
additional minimum payments over a five year period totaling
$850,000. In addition, Reliv will pay a royalty at varying rates
over the term of the agreement.
"This is a major step for Reliv and elevates our company to a
unique status in the nutrition industry," said Ryan Montgomery,
Reliv president. "For the first time we own an ingredient in its
entirety, from the extraction process to the patented mechanisms of
action within the body. And lunasin isn't just any ingredient; it's
the world's first epigenetic superfood."
How Lunasin Works
Lunasin is the first nutritional compound identified to affect
gene expression and promote optimal health at the epigenetic level.
The epigenome, which literally means "beyond the genome," is a
higher level of complexity within the cell. It acts like a dimmer
for lights, controlling which genes are used, when they are used
and how much they are used.
Lunasin can attach itself to the epigenome. As a result, it can
increase expression of important genes needed for normal cell
functioning and protect the cells from environmental damage once it
occurs. More than 50 published papers from more than 25 research
institutions demonstrate lunasin's multiple health benefits.
Learn more about lunasin and epigenetics.
"We've always endeavored to remain on the cutting edge of
nutrition science in formulating our products at Reliv. And with
the acquisition of lunasin, we are now leading the industry in the
budding field of nutritional epigenetics," said Dr. Carl W.
Hastings, vice chairman and chief scientific officer.
"New research shows that through nutrition people can influence
which genes are expressed," he added. "Reliv is committed to
building on this emerging science and developing nutritional
solutions that help people take control of their health."
'Tremendous Opportunity'
Reliv's license of the intellectual property behind Soy Labs
lunasin production and marketing stems from a joint research and
development partnership formed in August 2011 among Reliv, Soy Labs
and the Missouri Plant Science Center. That partnership resulted in
the creation of LunaRich® soy powder and LunaRich X™,
Reliv-exclusive products made from non-GMO soybean varieties with
the highest concentration of bioactive lunasin and manufactured
through a proprietary mechanical process (vs. chemical) that
maintains the lunasin's bioactivity.
"Acquiring lunasin not only gives us direct control over the
entire LunaRich X production process and technologies, it also
opens up opportunities for further research and development with
lunasin and other plant-based ingredients," Hastings said. "We're
beyond excited about what this will mean for Reliv consumers around
the globe."
"Epigenetics has hit the mainstream, and we believe nutritional
epigenetics will soon follow," Montgomery added. "Reliv is the only
company talking about it because, right now, we're the only company
who can. We believe lunasin positions our company and our
distributors to take full advantage of a tremendous growth
opportunity."
About Reliv International, Inc. Reliv
International, based in Chesterfield, MO, produces nutritional
supplements that promote optimal nutrition along with premium
skincare products. Reliv supplements address essential nutrition,
weight loss, athletic performance, digestive health, women's
health, anti-aging and healthy energy. Reliv is the exclusive
provider of LunaRich® products, which optimize levels of lunasin,
the peptide behind many of soy's health benefits. The company sells
its products through an international network marketing system of
independent distributors in 16 countries. Learn more about Reliv at
www.reliv.com, or on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
CONTACT: For more information, contact:
Steve Albright
Chief Financial Officer
(636) 733-1305
Fred Nielson
Investor Relations
(636) 733-1314
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