May 4 2013
Spherix Incorporated -- an innovator in biotechnology for therapy in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ChromaDex to extend the commercial market for D-tagatose, extend the structure function claims for the GRAS food ingredient, and to optimize a new system of D-tagatose production.
D-tagatose is a natural sweetener present in only small amounts in fruits and dairy products, but it can be commercially produced through an enzymatic process beginning with other natural sugars. With the same bulk and sweetness of regular sugar (i.e., sucrose) and no after-taste, D-tagatose is an ideal solution for sweet and savory products. D-tagatose has a documented prebiotic effect and a low caloric value of 1.5 kcal per gram. D-tagatose has a glycemic and insulin index of only 3% of that of glucose.
The market for D-tagatose has begun to grow. Late last year, Spherix announced the signing of an agreement granting Fullife in India an exclusive, royalty bearing license for the use of Spherix's clinical data and proprietary knowledge to support the marketing and dosing of D-tagatose that Spherix is now supplying. In new developments in other markets, Bio Foods in Chile has exchanged a nonbinding term sheet with Spherix for D-tagatose in the Chilean territory. More recently, Spherix signed a nondisclosure agreement with WIO SmartFoods LLC in Utah and began selling D-tagatose to that company for use in its WIO SmartFoods product line (shipments have already been delivered). WIO certifies bariatric clinics and diet clinics to use its proprietary meal replacement plan to promote weight loss. WIO focuses on helping people with the metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Expanding the structure function claims for D-tagatose make it more valuable than a simple artificial sweetener. The market for tagatose in both the USA and abroad appears poised to grow.
The biggest problem with widespread adoption of tagatose to date has been the cost of production, which has limited supplies. ChromaDex has agreed in the recently signed a memorandum of understanding to work with Spherix to evaluate the supply chain and optimize a more efficient scalable process for the production of tagatose. Troy Rhonemus, Director of New Technologies and Supply Chain Development, who will lead the project for ChromaDex, brings 14 years of experience in business, operations, and R&D management to the task.
"Consumers continue to look for products that help manage calories in the foods and beverages they consume," stated Mr. Rhonemus. "Developing a product that tastes great and enables the consumer to manage their caloric intake would be the 'Holy Grail' of the sweetener industry. If such a product was developed that could be manufactured cost effectively and be sustainable this would revolutionize the sweetener industry."
Mr. Rhonemus was previously the product line lead manager at Cargill Health and Nutrition responsible for managing the operations and supply chain of the Truvia® brand stevia sweetener with a focus on technology, agronomy, and sustainability. ChromaDex has a right of first refusal for marketing and selling the new D-tagatose in the signed MOU.