Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc Health Claim Approved

Health claims are becoming among the most important drivers influencing the purchasing of Omega-3 supplements worldwide.

Sep 30 2010 – Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. has announced that after two years of rigorous review of NKO safety and clinical research data, the Canadian Minister of Health has approved exclusively for NKO therapeutic and risk reduction claims, corroborating aspects of Neptune’s clinical research and substantiating NKO safety and effectiveness on certain prevalent chronic diseases.

Health claims are becoming among the most important drivers influencing the purchasing of Omega-3 supplements worldwide. With this outstanding achievement, Neptune reinforces its Leader position as a golden standard in the krill oil market” said André Godin, CFO.

Substantial preclinical and clinical evidence reviewed by Health Canada relating to the safety and effectiveness of NKO lead to the approval of the following fundamentally competitive health claims:

1.    Cardiovascular health:

    * Helps to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (in conjunction with conventional statin therapy): 2 softgels (1g) per day
    * Helps to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (in conjunction with conventional statin therapy): 2 softgels (1g) per day
    * Helps to reduce the levels of triglycerides (in conjunction with conventional statin therapy): 4 softgels (2g) per day

2.    Inflammation

    * Helps to reduce C-reactive protein levels, a clinical marker of inflammation: 1 softgel (0.5g) per day
    * Helps to reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis: 1 softgel (0.5g) per day

3.    Women’s Health:

    * Helps to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS): 4 softgels (2g) per day
    * Helps to relieve symptoms of dysmenorrhea: 4 softgels (2g) per day

The Health Canada health claim review process is considered one of the most rigorous worldwide, recognized as a model among certain global regulatory authorities. The review process involves an extensive assessment of the accuracy, validity and evidence supporting the proposed clinically proven health claims. “The Food and Drugs Act, which regulates health claims, requires that the health claims be scientifically supported and not misleading” said Dr. Wael Massrieh, Ph.D. Medicine, Director of R & D. “In June 2009 Health Canada approved health claims for omega-3, among the strongest of which was the claim that products providing 1g - 3g EPA + DHA, per day (amounting to 3-10g of fish oil per day, or 6-20 softgels) help to reduce serum triglycerides, compared to 4 NKO softgels recently approved for the same indication. Contrary to fish oil, Health Canada approved a stronger claim for NKO for cholesterol with a decrease of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase of HDL (good cholesterol) using only two softgels per day as well as an anti-inflammatory claim using only one softgel per day and a specific claim for premenstrual syndrome (PMS)” he added.

“The NKO approved claims are competitive when compared to the already approved claims for fish oils since not only have they been accepted at significantly much lower doses, but they also offer more specific health benefits in cardiovascular, joint and women health” said André Godin, CFO. “This strategic milestone is expected to have a positive effect on sales because it fulfills new consumer requirements” he added. A list of the approved claims can be found on www.MyNKO.com.