Findings from Published Abstracts Showcase the Importance of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) in Glaucoma Patients and that Supplementation with Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) Demonstrate Promising Effects

Abstracts recently published in the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) journal showcase NR, one of the most efficient and well-researched NAD+ precursors, prevented the worsening of visual field sensitivity in glaucoma patients, and builds on research demonstrating decreased cellular NAD+ levels and impaired mitochondrial function are associated with Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)

ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC), the global authority on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), announced promising findings from two independent clinical study abstracts originally presented this past April at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting and recently published in the peer-reviewed ARVO journal, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, by a team of scientists led by Dr. Christopher Leung from the Department of Ophthalmology at the School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, Hong Kong, and Dr. David F Garway-Heath, Professor of Ophthalmology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Together, the promising results from these abstracts suggest that glaucoma patients have lower cellular NAD+ levels and thus replenishing NAD+ levels with a precursor, such as nicotinamide riboside (NR), may be a potential therapeutic strategy.

Dr. Garway-Heath’s abstract titled “Primary open angle glaucoma patients have lower systemic mitochondrial function, associated with lower systemic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels, compared to Controls” observed significantly lower cellular NAD+ levels and impaired mitochondrial function in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Further, higher NAD+ levels were strongly associated with higher mitochondrial function parameters, suggesting increased NAD+ levels are associated with improved energy production and cellular activity. POAG is a condition where pressure builds inside the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve and gradual vision loss. Unlike other types of glaucoma, most noticeable symptoms occur within advanced stages.

This research is consistent with research from a study led by Dr. Christopher Leung, which includes preliminary data from a clinical study set to complete in 2024, titled “Nicotinamide Riboside for Progressing Glaucoma: A Double-blind, Parallel Group, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial – A Report on Neuroenhancement”. The data demonstrates that NR, one of the most promising and efficient NAD+ precursors in the healthy aging space, had beneficial effects in patients with progressing glaucoma by preventing visual field sensitivity decline. Visual field sensitivity is a measurement of peripheral vision and encompasses the ability of the eye to detect and perceive visual stimuli in different parts of the visual field. Testing for visual field sensitivity is crucial for diagnosing the progression of glaucoma.

Both abstracts are in line with previous preclinical studies demonstrating that NR supplementation had protective effects in retinal degeneration models (Zhang et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2021).

“This newly published preliminary research signifies a milestone for the potential NAD+ boosting effects may have on eye health,” said Dr. Andrew Shao, ChromaDex Senior Vice President of Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs. “The data builds on previously published preclinical mouse studies indicating that retinal degeneration exhibited depleted levels of NAD+ and supplementation with NR had protective effects. As NR is one of the most efficient NAD+ precursors, this may be a promising therapy for glaucoma patients and we look forward to seeing the full peer-reviewed published studies along with future research in this area.”

The data showcases mitochondrial function in glaucoma patients may be improved by elevating NAD+ levels using NR as a potential therapeutic strategy. Although more research must be conducted to fully understand the potential benefit of NR and eye health, these preclinical and clinical studies have established the foundation for future research in this area.

For additional information on ChromaDex, visit www.chromadex.com.

About ChromaDex:

ChromaDex Corp. is a global bioscience company dedicated to healthy aging. The ChromaDex team, which includes world-renowned scientists, is pioneering research on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), levels of which decline with age. ChromaDex is the innovator behind NAD+ precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR), commercialized as the flagship ingredient Niagen®. Nicotinamide riboside and other NAD+ precursors are protected by ChromaDex’s patent portfolio. ChromaDex maintains a website at www.chromadex.com to which ChromaDex regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional and financial information about the Company.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements related to whether this data showcases mitochondrial function in glaucoma patients may be improved by elevating NAD levels using NR as a potential therapeutic strategy. Statements that are not a description of historical facts constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "potential," "possible," "probable," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "could" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of these forward-looking statements include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the global economy; our history of operating losses and need to obtain additional financing; the growth and profitability of our product sales; our ability to maintain sales, marketing and distribution capabilities; changing consumer perceptions of our products; our reliance on a single or limited number of third-party suppliers; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition. More detailed information about ChromaDex and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in ChromaDex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, ChromaDex's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted by ChromaDex to the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ChromaDex undertakes no obligation to revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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Findings from Published Abstracts Showcase the Importance of NAD+ in Glaucoma Patients and that Supplementation with NR Demonstrate Promising Effects