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Marinova

Marinova Newsletter

September 2014

Welcome from Paul Garrott, CEO


As CEO of Marinova, I am very proud to lead the only fucoidan producer in the world that manufactures high purity, certified organic and pharmaceutical grade fucoidan.

Fucoidan continues to attract the attention of more and more consumers from around the world who are seeking quality, organic nutritional supplements and personal care products.
Similarly, researchers and manufacturers are also undertaking an increasing amount of research into fucoidan and its therapeutic applications. In this area, Marinova leads the field with a team of expert scientists and an extensive, ongoing collection of research conducted at acclaimed global institutions. Our research provides our customers with conclusive scientific and clinical evidence in support of our ingredients. Marinova is proud to be at the forefront of fucoidan research, and we are pleased to see growing interest - from all sectors - in the remarkable power of fucoidan and its potential to enhance both human and animal health.

In this newsletter, we reveal exciting new research into Maritech® fucoidan and influenza, and we highlight a potential role for fucoidan in tumour vaccine development and provide details of our new corporate sponsorship with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, among other news.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and we welcome your comments and suggestions.

In this issue

Marinova initiates major cancer study
Fucoidan in the headlines
Supporting a cultural icon
Maritech® fucoidan protects against flu
Groundswell in fucoidan research
Supporting the doctors of tomorrow
Visit us at trade shows in Japan and the US

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Marinova initiates major cancer study

Marinova is pleased to announce the commencement of a new oncology research investigation at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School studying Maritech® fucoidan extracts.

Leading the study is Dr Judith Smith, associate professor in UTHealth’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, who has directed preclinical studies on numerous nutritional supplements for the potential treatment and prevention of cancer.

In this preclinical research program, a range of Maritech® fucoidan extracts will be tested for activity against a wide array of cancer cell lines. Dr Smith will characterise the hepatic metabolism of fucoidan, investigate the potential for drug interactions with selected chemotherapy agents and analyse the activity of Maritech® fucoidan against human cancer cell lines.

The research investment made by Marinova is further evidence of our commitment to developing the highest quality fucoidan compounds and investigating their efficacy in a range of models and settings.

Fucoidan in the headlines

Undaria fucoidan is a highly effective inhibitor of avian influenza viruses

Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan could be used for the prevention of viral infection, according to new research.

Researchers from the Czech Republic and Japan examined the defensive effects of fucoidan on mice infected with influenza A strains H5N3 and H7N2. They found that orally delivered Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan increased the total neutralising antibody titre and mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) response to infection in a mouse model. Mucosal IgA is an antibody that plays a critical role in mucosal immunity; it is also an important line of defence against airborne pathogens. Fucoidan increased IgA levels up to 2.7 times.

This research illustrates that, in addition to being a viral entry blocker, Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan also has the potential to modulate immunity to limit the viral infection.

Synytsya A, Bleha R, Synytsya A, Pohl R, Hayashi K, Yoshinaga K, Nakano T, Hayashi T. Mekabu fucoidan: Structural complexity and defensive effects against avian influenza A viruses. Carbohydr Polym. 2014 Oct 13;111:633-44
 

Fucoidan enhances immune responses by promoting dendritic cell maturation

Fucoidan increased the response to a vaccination and protected against tumour cells, according to research recently published in the journal Marine Drugs.

Researchers studied the effect of fucoidan on the function of spleen dendritic cells and its adjuvant effect in vivo. Dendritic cells act as a type of “conductor” of immunity, presenting antigens to other immune cells and starting the process of recognising pathogens and initiating a specific response.

The results of this latest research suggest fucoidan functions as an adjuvant, inducing an adaptive immune response and activating cytotoxic T cells. According to the researchers, this may be useful in tumour vaccine development. Further research from the same group investigated fucoidan from the Ascophyllum nodosum species of seaweed and demonstrated its ability to induce dendritic cell maturation and enhance immune response in vitro and in vivo.

The researchers suggested that these results could facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat infectious diseases and cancer.

Jin JO, Zhang W, Du JY, Wong KW, Oda T, Yu Q. Fucoidan can function as an adjuvant in vivo to enhance dendritic cell maturation and function and promote antigen-specific T cell immune responses. PLoS One. 2014 Jun 9;9(6):e99396.

Zhang W, Du JY, Jiang Z, Okimura T, Oda T, Yu Q, Jin JO. Ascophyllan Purified from Ascophyllum nodosum Induces Th1 and Tc1 Immune Responses by Promoting Dendritic Cell Maturation. Mar Drugs. 2014 Jul 14;12(7):4148-64
 

Potential for fucoidan to limit diabetes-induced kidney damage

Building on data showing the beneficial effects of fucoidan on kidney function, a recent study has demonstrated that fucoidan can limit kidney damage caused by streptozoin-induced diabetes.

Diabetes is often complicated by chronic, long-term kidney damage caused by high blood sugar. In this animal study, orally delivered fucoidan lowered blood sugar and decreased blood urea nitrogen levels. Renal output of nitrogen compounds was markedly preserved in the fucoidan-treated animals.

The results suggest that fucoidan may play a role in preserving kidney function in diabetic nephropathy.

Wang J, Liu H, Li N, Zhang Q, Zhang H. The protective effect of fucoidan in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy. Mar Drugs. 2014 May 30;12(6):3292-306

Supporting a cultural icon

Marinova is very proud to announce its support of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO) with a three-year investment as a corporate sponsor of this acclaimed orchestra. The TSO is recognised locally and internationally, with a full complement of 47 musicians and more than 60 CDs in its catalogue. 

Established in 1948, the TSO gives over 60 concerts annually. In addition to its performances in Tasmania, the orchestra has also performed in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in recent years. Reflecting the TSO’s growing reputation around the world, international touring has taken the orchestra to North and South America, Greece, Israel, South Korea, China, Indonesia and Japan.

Through concerts and educational outreach programs, the TSO enriches the lives of music lovers young and old. Although the TSO makes enormous artistic and economic contributions to the local community, its positive cultural impact reaches far beyond the shores of Tasmania. In recognition of this contribution, Marinova is honored to be a corporate partner of the TSO and wishes the orchestra every success in the years to come.

Maritech® fucoidan protects against flu

Marinova is pleased to announce the results of a preliminary study involving Maritech® fucoidan in a mouse model of influenza. In this study, orally delivered Maritech® Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan, at a dose level equivalent to 1 g daily for humans, significantly limited the lung damage caused by influenza A (strain H1N1).

This indicates a possible curative effect on already-infected subjects. As a result, Marinova is now investigating immune responses and related effects of administering Maritech® fucoidan prior to infection.

Seasonal colds and flus limit our ability to work and engage in life - and they can also have more serious consequences. Recent influenza outbreaks of “bird flu” and “swine flu” illustrate how influenza can appear suddenly and cause widespread illness throughout the general population. As seasonal influenza vaccines do not cover all circulating viruses, those who have received the influenza vaccine are still at risk of catching certain flu strains. More treatments to prevent and limit the extent of infection are needed.

Marinova has also carried out screening suggesting that Maritech® fucoidans are highly effective inhibitors of some influenza strains in vitro - including influenza A strain H1N1.

Groundswell in fucoidan research

Over the past 40 years, more than 1,100 research papers have been published on the bioactivity and attributes of fucoidan compounds. More than half of these research papers have been published in the past decade, which reflects the rapidly increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of these unique polysaccharides.

In the nutritional sector, fucoidan is fast emerging as a potential category leader. Research momentum is continuing to increase, alongside consumer awareness. Market uptake for fucoidan is also expanding at a rapid rate. Whereas traditional consumption of fucoidan has largely been confined to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other countries in East Asia, the emerging body of evidence is now creating significant interest in the West, particularly in the areas of nutrition, pharmaceuticals and skincare.

Supporting the doctors of tomorrow

The annual Marinova Science Prize endorses our commitment to encouraging female students to pursue careers in science-related disciplines. Established in 2009, the Marinova Science Prize is a bursary awarded each year to the most successful and deserving final year science student at The Fahan School in Tasmania. It is with great pleasure that we announce the recipient of this year’s Marinova Science Prize is Ms Helen Browne, who has commenced a degree in Medicine at the University of Tasmania.

Marinova is also pleased to have provided financial support to another former student of the Fahan School, Ms Ynez Howlett-Jansen, who – along with Helen Browne – is studying Medicine at the University of Tasmania. Marinova wishes both of these students every success not only in their University studies but also in their future careers in medicine.

Visit us at trade shows in Japan and the US

Our Business Development Manager, Kevin Krail, will be attending the Supply Side West USA (SSW) exhibition in Las Vegas from 8 - 10 October. Kevin welcomes the opportunity to meet both existing and prospective customers while he is in Las Vegas. To arrange a meeting during the SSW trade show, please email Kevin directly.

Marinova’s flagship cosmetic ingredients, Maritech® Bright and Maritech® Reverse, will be on exhibit at the CosmeTech trade show in Tokyo from 20 - 22 October. Dr Helen Fitton (Marinova’s Chief Scientist) and Miss Emma Davis (Corporate & Scientific Affairs Officer) invite you to visit the Marinova booth to find out more about the latest evidence to support these highly functional and versatile skincare ingredients. Please email Emma directly if you wish to arrange a meeting at this trade show.

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