Welcome from Paul Garrott, Managing Director

A belated Happy New Year to all our customers and those interested in the activities of Marinova. Exciting findings into the biological activity of fucoidan continue to emerge. In this issue we highlight a number of recent discoveries and developments, including:

• research which shows that fucoidan may prevent tissue damage after a heart attack,
   
• recent findings which indicate that fucoidan may inhibit the development of Alzheimer's Disease, and
   
• the plight of the Tasmanian Devil and the role that Maritech® fucoidan may play in preventing the demise of this species.

We also provide an update on Marinova's large scale osteoarthritis trial and an introduction to Mekabu - a 'superfood' in every sense of the term.

I trust you will find this edition enjoyable and informative. Please feel free to email us with any questions or comments.

Research Update

A definitive review on the therapeutic potential of fucoidan has been written by Marinova’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Helen Fitton. The review paper has been published in the Marine Drugs journal: “Therapies from Fucoidan: Multifunctional Marine Polymers”. Mar. Drugs 2011, 9(10), 1731-1760; doi:10.3390/md9101731.

This review includes the most recent research into the bioactivity of fucoidan and its clinical potential. Research into fucoidan has increased threefold over the past decade and has resulted in a significant increase in the number of human clinical studies. The review publication also details recent data on toxicology and uptake of fucoidan as well as a discussion on the comparative activities of fucoidans extracted from different species of macroalgae. Clinical targets discussed in this publication include osteoarthritis, kidney and liver disease, infectious diseases and protection from radiation. With the advent of Maritech® extraction technology, the production of well-characterized reproducible fucoidan fractions on a commercial scale is now possible, making therapies from fucoidan (both nutritional and pharmaceutical) a realizable goal.

To read the entire review, please visit http://www.mdpi.com//1660-3397/9/10/1731/.

Sympathy for the Devil

The 'Save the Tasmanian Devil' program is one of Australia's most important conservation programs. The Tasmanian Devil is facing the prospect of extinction due to the spread of the highly infectious cancer called devil facial tumour disease (DFTD).

This disease is bringing together the best and brightest scientists, clinicians and conservationists in an effort to save this unique carnivorous marsupial from the fate of  its much larger cousin, the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger). First reported in 1996, DFTD has spread across our island state and wiped out more than 90% of the devil population.

The task ahead remains daunting, but scientists believe they can save the Tasmanian Devil from extinction if they can find a vaccine for DFTD and segregate a captive “insurance” population.  The program now has more than 490 DFTD-free devils living in twenty biosecure institutions and areas throughout Tasmania and the rest of Australia.

Where does Marinova come into this? So far, the results to find a new vaccine have been challenging. Scientists from the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Research Institute are well-versed in the biological activity of fucoidan and are now using Marinova's fucoidan fractions to see if they can boost the animal’s immune response to experimental vaccines.

Should you wish to find out more about the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal campaign or should you wish to make a contribution to this worthwhile cause, please visit http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf.

Fucoidan in the Headlines

Research into the bioactvity of fucoidan continues unabated. We have summarised below three very recent research publications demonstrating some specific therapeutic benefits of fucoidan. 

Link between fucoidan and cardiac recovery

a) Manzo-Silberman S, Louedec L, Meilhac O, Letourneur D, Michel JB, Elmadbouh I.Therapeutic potential of fucoidan in myocardial ischemia. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2011 Dec;58(6):626-32.

Building on previous research demonstrating that fucoidan prevents tissue damage after heart attack, the researchers demonstrate a 30% inhibition of the damaged heart tissue area.  The effect was achieved via enhanced revascularisation of the tissue and inhibition of fibrosis.  This research further confirms that there is significant potential for the therapeutic use of fucoidan in patients who have suffered an ischemic heart attack.

Fucoidan Enhances Probiotic Benefits & Immune Function

b) Kawashima T, Murakami K, Nishimura I, Nakano T, Obata A.  A sulfated polysaccharide, fucoidan, enhances the immunomodulatory effects of lactic acid bacteria. Int J Mol Med. 2012 Mar;29(3):447-53.

The role of fucoidan on the immune modulating effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) was examined in this paper. Although fucoidan and LAB each have immunomodulatory effects of their own, this study showed that fucoidan enhanced interleukin (IL)-12 and Interferon gamma production in response to the strain of Lactobacillus in vitro. It also demonstrated that fucoidan assisted in balancing immune function in a sensitised mouse model. The findings suggest that fucoidan can enhance beneficial effects of LAB (probiotic) on immune function, providing increased protection and lessening allergic responses.

Can Fucoidan Prevent Alzheimer's Disease?

c) Gao Y, Li C, Yin J, Shen J, Wang H, Wu Y, Jin H. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae, improves cognitive impairment induced by infusion of Aβ peptide in rats.  Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2011 Dec 27;33(2):304-311

In this article, Chinese researchers add to the body of research indicating potential for fucoidan to inhibit the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, fucoidan administration ameliorated the learning and memory abilities in the rats with beta amyloid (Aβ) induced disease. Aβ protein accumulation in the brain is a characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. More and more, fucoidan is being identified as one of the most promising compounds for investigation to address this growing debilitating condition.

Marinova in the News

Jean-Michel Cousteau Range of Amenities

Famed explorer, environmentalist and film-maker Jean-Michel Cousteau has partnered with Marinova and two of its valued customers to launch a collection of high quality bath and personal care products for environmental-savvy hotel guests across the world. This unique collection – Jean-Michel Cousteau by Maricoid – is inspired by the beauty of the oceans and reflects the Cousteau family’s life-long commitment to the environment.

The Jean-Michel Cousteau line of hotel amenities won the prestigious 'Editors’ Choice' Award for best new product and product design at the International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show in November last year. The organic marine ingredients around which the products have been formulated are all sourced from Marinova.

For more information, please visit the following sites: http://www.conceptamenities.com, http://www.oceanfutures.org or  http://www.maricoid.com.

Australian Government Supports Marinova Osteoarthritis Trial

Marinova was recently awarded $250,000 in grant funding through the Commercialisation Australia innovation program. This program was introduced by the Australian Government in 2010 to bolster the commercialisation of inventions by progressive Australian companies, and will assist Marinova in validating the efficacy of its Maritech® fucoidan in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Results from the large scale clinical trial will be known by mid 2012 and it is contemplated that the trial outcomes will result in immediate uptake of the product in the large and growing global joint health market. In an initial Phase I/II human clinical trial, it was shown that Maritech® fucoidan can relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis to levels similar to those achieved by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Mekabu - A True Superfood

The proliferation and marketing of so-called 'superfoods' continues unchecked despite few of these products living up to their promotional claims. At last, a versatile food product has emerged with scientific data to support its claim as a legitimate superfood.

Mekabu - the flowering spore of the Undaria pinnatifida species of macroalgae -  is highly revered in Asia for its nourishing properties, including its potent mineral and fucoidan content. Well known as an edible seaweed in Japan and Korea, this delicacy is customarily taken as a medicinal soup.

Mekabu powder is a potent source of potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and - unlike many other seaweed food products - it contains relatively low levels of iodine. It is also a very useful source of Vitamin K and contains a multitude of trace minerals.

Marinova harvests Mekabu from the pristine coastal waters of Tasmania and Patagonia, two of the last remaining locations where Undaria pinnatifida seaweed grows naturally and is free of human and industrial contamination.

Our Mekabu powder can be supplied in particle sizes to suit all food, beverage and nutritional applications. It has Organic, Kosher and Halal certifications and is approved for use in Australia, the USA and throughout Asia as both a food and nutritional ingredient. The strict controls under which Marinova harvests and processes the Mekabu ensures a standardised fucoidan content of 10%.

The quality of our Mekabu is unsurpassed and is particularly well-suited to 'green food' supplements and similar nutritional formulations. Please let us know if you would like further information on this true superfood, including validated health attributes and benefits.

Images from the Sea

Marinova has a long and close relationship with renowned Tasmanian landscape and underwater photographer, Ian Wallace. Ian has been photographing landscapes professionally for the past 10 years but only took up underwater photography 5 years ago. Remarkably, Ian has been a keen scuba diver for a long time but it was only when he finally made the decision to invest in the specialized equipment that he was ready to bring his photographic abilities to the depths of the ocean. In 2008, Ian was named the Australian Institute of Professional Photography’s (AIPP) Tasmanian Photographer of the Year.

Marinova commissioned Ian to take numerous underwater photos of some of the seaweed species which the company process into high purity fucoidan extracts. A collection of these beautiful photos was published in the book 'Seaweed - Art Meets Science' in 2010. Ian has now collaborated with several other Australian landscape photographers to put together the ultimate coffee-table book depicting spectacular images of Tasmania. The book, 'Tasmania - A Visual Journey', even includes a few underwater seaweed photos - just magic!

To view Ian Wallace’s work or to purchase this captivating pictorial celebration of Tasmania, please visit www.ianwallace.com.au .