Elysium-Oxford partnership unveils brain health supplement

16 Jun 2020 --- Elysium Health has launched a brain health supplement developed in partnership with the University of Oxford, UK. Called “Matter,” the supplement contains a formulation based on Oxford’s VITACOG study, which includes specific B vitamins to slow brain atrophy associated with age-related memory loss. This is combined with powdered omega 3 lysine complex with enhanced bioavailability to optimize the efficacy of the B-vitamin complex, as well as a bilberry extract. NutritionInsight speaks with Elysium experts about overcoming a range of R&D challenges and what this collaboration means for the US-based life sciences company.

“Matter is the first and only cognitive health product backed by research from the University of Oxford. There are no comparable products already on the market. Matter contains a specific B-vitamin complex that is clinically proven and patented to slow age-related grey matter atrophy in regions of the brain that are important for learning and memory by up to 86 percent,” explains Eric Marcotulli, CEO at Elysium.

This was revealed during the VITACOG study, which also found that the B vitamin complex is most effective at slowing brain atrophy rates in people with higher baseline concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids. The beneficial effects on gray matter were accompanied by a reduction in homocysteine levels. In people with a good omega 3 fatty acid status, the B-vitamin supplementation significantly slowed atrophy rates by as much as 40 percent.

“Matter contains the precise doses of B vitamins that were shown to be effective in the Oxford clinical study. However, what makes Matter especially novel is the synergistic combination of the B-vitamin complex with a superior, powdered omega 3 fatty acid to enhance its efficacy. Meanwhile, the bilberry extract, which is rich in plant-based antioxidants called anthocyanins, provides further cognitive benefits,” says Mark Morris, Elysium Chief Product Officer. 

During the first month of the product’s initial limited release, Matter will be available for purchase to existing US Basis subscribers and customers of select partner brands. In addition to early access, presale customers also benefit from preferred pricing during the limited release period. However, Elysium plans to expand Matter’s distribution internationally, including in its current form and as a medical food. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic and the abrupt lifestyle and behavioral changes that it’s given rise to – from poor sleep habits and excessive alcohol consumption to a decline in physical activity and an increase in TV viewing – have only served to highlight the importance of cognitive health. It also contributes to the rapid advancement of cognitive health as a focus in the broader health and wellness industry,” continues Marcotulli. 

He adds that regardless of health status, age-related brain atrophy and the associated cognitive decline is something everyone must face. “This is to say that the importance of cognitive health is not a trend, but a fact. The focus on brain health, cellular health, and overall health and wellness as a proactive pursuit to maintain our abilities as opposed to addressing their decline, however, is a shift that we’re excited to be a part of.”

The B vitamin complex is most effective at slowing brain atrophy rates in people with higher baseline concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids.Overcoming hurdles in R&D
Morris details that once the product components were identified, the R&D challenge then became establishing a supply chain that ensures the highest purity and quality possible. “With Matter, there were a number of important considerations. Chief among them was improving on the standard fish oil and ensuring that the precise doses of the B vitamins included in the Oxford study were replicated in Matter to achieve the same effect.”

He continues that the Elysium team realized they had the opportunity to deliver not only an omega 3 with superior absorption but also one that improved upon the standard fish oil experience. “It was not an easy problem to solve, but with a unique, powdered omega 3 in the free fatty acid form, the omega 3 in Matter is three to five times more bioavailable than omega 3s in the standard fish oil form. It also solves customer complaints like fishy smell and taste and indigestion, which can contribute to a decrease in adherence – something that is incredibly important for a product like Matter.”

In regard to the vitamin B complex, it was imperative that the exact doses and ratio of the B vitamins used in the VITACOG study be reflected in Matter. This presented a challenge for product development and a continued supply chain challenge, which Elysium will address with ongoing third-party testing. 

“Finally, the addition of the novel bilberry extract, for which there wasn’t an established standardized supply chain, presented a few additional challenges from sourcing at a standard that meets our internal quality requirements to the complexities of a natural extract. The bilberry extract is actually what provides the coloring to the all-natural coating,” adds Morris. 

A fruitful partnership
The partnership with the University of Oxford includes the exclusive intellectual property (IP) license to use the B-vitamin complex for dietary supplement and medical food applications. This is for applications that support long-term brain health and normal cognitive function, slow gray matter atrophy in regions that are important for learning and memory, and help to regulate normal homocysteine metabolism.

Elysium has added University of Oxford Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology Dr. A. David Smith to its scientific advisory board, which comprises more than 25 world-renowned researchers and clinicians, including eight Nobel Prize-winning scientists. Dr. Smith is an inventor of the patent and patent applications. 

“In addition to licensing the IP, Elysium also worked with the University of Oxford to develop Matter. Specifically, the team worked with Dr. Smith, whose research served as the foundation for the development of Matter. Elysium Health is currently researching product development that would include the B-vitamin complex in products outside of the consumer market, including both medical foods and therapeutics,” concludes Marcotulli.

By Katherine Durrell