Nuritas’ AI research uncovers anti-inflammatory rice peptides

03 Sep 2020 --- Nuritas has discovered natural rice-based peptides that impact inflammation and improve physical test results in an elderly population. The Ireland-based company employed artificial intelligence (AI) to identify these molecules among the billions of peptides in rice and then unlock their biological functionality. The ensuing natural products that Nuritas creates have the capability to prevent the development of lifestyle and metabolic disease, the company supports. In light of the findings, the company is set to take three new products to market.

“This first clinical trial demonstrated that the Nuritas product significantly reduced chronic inflammation and that this had a corresponding physical benefit. It is well known that chronic inflammation is heavily implicated to impaired immune response. While this was out of scope of this first trial it is certainly a very interesting avenue for future exploration in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Nora Khaldi, CEO, Founder and Acting CSO at Nuritas, tells NutritionInsight.

Dr. Nora Khaldi, CEO, Founder and Acting CSO at Nuritas.Discovered using proprietary ground-breaking AI technology NπΦ – pronounced en-pi-fy or Nuritas Peptide Finder – the new natural rice product shows huge potential to improve the health of the increasingly elderly population. While the peptides are found in a range of sources including rice, Nuritas states that their health benefits cannot be achieved by simply consuming these foods.

“Nuritas is interested in finding meaningful nutritional solutions for the globally aging population. However we also believe that the opportunity, and solution, is far more than to just target seniors. There is a huge opportunity for products by those who wish to proactively manage their health, delay the onset of aging (physical, cosmetic, metabolic and neurological) and increase their healthspan,” adds Dr. Khaldi.

Uncovering beneficial peptides
Published in Foods Journal, the paper describes the process of peptide discovery using AI, followed by laboratory-based testing and carrying out a human clinical trial. 

Data from this trial shows that significant reductions in TNF-α (an inflammatory cytokine) in the blood corresponds with significant improvements in a number of standardized physical tests. These physical tests can be useful predictors of the likelihood of future falls, Nuritas supports.

 “This is as a result of years of hard work refining our AI and machine learning platform in combination with our expert in-house laboratory and team of world class scientific advisors,” affirms Dr. Khaldi.

 “The year 2020 is looking to be a seminal one in the way that consumers value and are taking responsibility for their health. Consumers are also becoming far more discerning. They want natural [supplements] but also the latest science and efficacy that can be measured or felt,” says Neil Foster, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Nuritas.

“Against this backdrop, Nuritas is launching three new products, and has multiple papers published with some significant clinical results. The interest and appetite for the Nuritas offering of fully characterized natural products that work is important,” Foster adds.

“Our discovery process doesn’t just find peptides, it also focuses on their ability to work where they need to, in the human body. Commercialization efforts are already well underway and we will see the first launch of products powered by Nuritas technology very soon,” Khaldi notes.

AI accelerating research
This is the latest in a series of peer-reviewed papers recently published by Nuritas, with discoveries including the first clinically tested AI discovered anti-aging molecule PeptiYouth, as well as PeptiStrong, a product addressing muscle wasting – all important health areas needing new solutions.  

“The genomic data of the natural world is absolutely vast. A single apple contains more data than all the world’s social media. Searching for these molecules is like looking for a treasure chest at the bottom of the ocean floor. AI provides the map and the Nuritas Peptide Finder technology, the precise coordinates,” Dr. Khaldi explains.

Last year, the company partnered with Nestlé to uncover bioactive peptide networks within “specific target areas of significant value.” As part of the collaboration, Nuritas is deploying its technology platform, which uses AI and DNA analysis to predict, unlock and validate highly efficacious peptides, exclusively from natural food sources. Meanwhile, the company also partnered with Swiss-based Stonehaven Incubate to develop advanced animal health solutions. The initial focus of the partnership was to explore animal feed ingredients. 

By Kristiana Lalou