Tocomin Suprabio is a patented vitamin E complex of tocotrienols and tocopherol extracted from palm fruits and thought to have neuro-protective benefits.
The announcement of the Metagenics agreement follows three years of research and development into the optimal absorption and bioavailability of tocotrienol and a $40m investment in a new tocotrienol plant. It further points to the confidence Carotech has in the market potential for its product as it lays the groundwork for widespread distribution.
"This agreement with Metagenics is of great significance to Carotech in that it recognizes the commercial potential of Tocomin Suprabio in the North American healthcare practitioner market," said Carotech vice president WH Leong.
While recent studies on vitamin E safety landed some supplement makers with negative exposure, Leong told NutraIngredients-USA.com earlier this year that the demand for Tocomin has actually increased, as Carotech's customers and consumers have become more aware of the different forms of vitamin E.
"Ever since the publication of these studies customers and consumers have re-formulated their vitamin E (previously with just a single form, alpha-tocopherol) to include all the 8 forms of vitamin E (alpha, beta, gamma and delta-tocopherol + alpha, beta, gamma and delta-tocotrienol)," he said.
These eight forms are said to work synergistically to confer the benefits of Vitamin E - and Tocomin is touted as the only full spectrum tocotrienol complex that provides all the four forms of tocotrienol in significant level.
Under the agreement California-based Metagenics - which manufactures and markets nutraceuticals based on nutrigenomics and key health issues to healthcare practitioners - will formulate new products with Tocomin Suprabio. The first is expected to be a neurological support product to launch in the fall of 2006.
The company will also establish a commercialization strategy for introducing the tocotrienol complex to healthcare practitioners.
Carotech has a US patent for its Tocomin products which the company claims increase blood plasma absorption of tocotrienols by 250 percent when compared to regular tocotrienol oil extracts.
"Metagenics will be among the first in the market with this patented bio-enhanced tocotrienol system," said Leong.
In March, Carotech announced construction of its new tocotrienol production facility, and subsequent 4-fold increase in production to 350 metric tons per day. The new Malaysian facility is expected to be up and running by June 2007 and will cover 32 acres.
Carotech's tocotrienol is made from 100 percent non-GMO virgin crude palm oil, sourced in Malaysia.