A leading stroke expert has welcomed the results of trials on a compound which offers people around the world the hope of combating atherosclerosis.

Peter Kirkpatrick, Consultant Neurovascular Surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, said the launch of Ateronon, the natural supplement developed by Cambridge scientists, was an important breakthrough in the potential treatment of strokes.

Dozens of in-vitro studies and epidemiological research projects have shown that lycopene – found in the skins of ripe tomatoes – has the capacity to significantly reduce atherosclerosis. Lycopene is the potent antioxidant isolated for its health-promoting properties from the Mediterranean diet.

Until now, the problem has been how to manipulate the molecular structure of the compound to provide optimum absorption.

Researchers from Cambridge Theranostics Limited (CTL), a biotech spin-out company of Cambridge University, have now proved they have done it with their new Ateronon compound.

Peter Kirkpatrick said: “For many years now, we have been trying to identify agents that may protect us from the devastating effects of a stroke. Ateronon is an exciting safe agent that may prove to have a major impact on this disease. “

Results from their early trials involving 150 people with heart disease were made public for the first time at the British Cardiovascular Society annual conference in London on Monday (1 June), Ateronon is being referred to as the 'tomato pill' after being launched into the media today. 

The Ateronon formulation combines lycopene with milk and soy-based proteins to produce a much smaller, and more bio-available molecule. The early studies have shown that Ateronon can inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to almost zero within eight weeks.

Large scale studies are now being undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and at Harvard Medical School, in the expectation that they will demonstrate that the reduction of LDL oxidation is translated into improved heart and circulatory health –and improved survival rates.

The study was built on research originally carried out by the giant food multi-national Nestle, who were looking for a way to capture the therapeutic benefits of the tomato-derived compound lycopene.

After its launch to doctors this month, Ateronon will be made available direct to consumers through high street pharmacists from July onwards.

Dr Gunter Schmidt, a biologist and chief executive of CTL, said he is confident that once doctors had observed the benefits of Ateronon, they would instantly see the potential benefits.

He said: “We are extremely excited about Ateronon. We have 10 worldwide patents recognising its efficacy, but we want its capabilities to be taken very seriously by clinicians as well. We don’t want it dismissed as just another food supplement.”

An estimated 17.5 million people died from heart and circulatory diseases in 2005, representing 30% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.6 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke[1].

More than 117,000 people die each year in the UK from coronary heart disease. It accounts for one in five deaths in men and one in six deaths in women[2].

The four million people who take statins to help lower their cholesterol and chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke could benefit from using Ateronon. The product can be taken alongside statins.

Although cholesterol does put people at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, half of all heart attacks and three quarters of all strokes occur in people who do not have raised cholesterol.

Alongside the development of Ateronon, Ivan Petyaev, a senior cardiologist and Medical Director of CTL, has invented an important new assay as a consequence of research from a project originally funded with a grant from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The BHF project was investigating the role of bacteria in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. It is known that Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria are always present in the circulatory systems of heart disease sufferers, and Petyaev has developed an innovation called the AtheroAbzyme kit, which detects antibodies to the bacteria.

The level of antibody activity is in direct proportion to the level of atherosclerotic activity, and the test can give an accurate picture of the progress of the disease – and most importantly, the effect of Ateronon in controlling it.

“What we have done is to develop a method of delivering something which is of known benefit, and a method of measuring what it is doing,” Dr Petyaev added.

For further information go to www.ateronon.com.

Ends

For media enquiries, please contact Helen Barklam at Custard Media, tel: 01772 316924 or 07917 148900 or email helen@avaandgrace.com.

A leading nutrition expert has welcomed the launch of a potentially revolutionary heart disease treatment which offers people around the world the hope of combating the killer disease atherosclerosis.

Nutritional therpaist Lisa Smith, from Nutriology in Kent, said the launch of Ateronon, the natural supplement developed by Cambridge scientists, was a huge breakthrough in the treatment of heart disease related illnesses.

Dozens of studies and research projects have shown that lycopene – found in the skins of ripe tomatoes – has the capacity to significantly reduce atherosclerosis. Lycopene is the potent antioxidant isolated for health-promoting properties from the Mediterranean diet.

Lisa Smith said that until now, scientists had been unable to find a way of modifying lycopene molecules so they can be readily absorbed into the human body.

Researchers from Cambridge Theranostics Limited (CTL), a biotech spin-out company of Cambridge University, have now proved they have done it with their new Ateronon compound.

She added: “The potential impact of this new supplement is huge. If we have something here that reduces the oxidation of harmful fats or lipids in the blood to almost zero within as little as eight weeks, then we have a life saver.

Results from their early trials involving 150 people with heart disease were made public for the first time at the British Cardiovascular Society annual conference in London on Monday (1st June).

The Ateronon formulation combines lycopene with milk and soy-based proteins to produce a much smaller, and more bio-available molecule. The early studies have shown that Ateronon can inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to almost zero within eight weeks.

An estimated 17.5 million people died from heart and circulatory diseases in 2005, representing 30% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.6 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke.

More than 117,000 people die each year in the UK from coronary heart disease. It accounts for one in five deaths in men and one in six deaths in women. The four million people who take statins in the UK to help lower their cholesterol and chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke could benefit from using Ateronon. The product can be taken alongside statins.

Although cholesterol does put people at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, half of all heart attacks and three quarters of all strokes occur in people who do not have raised cholesterol.

Large scale studies are now being undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and at Harvard Medical School, in the expectation that they will demonstrate that the reduction of LDL oxidation is translated into improved heart and circulatory health –and improved survival rates.

The study was built on research originally carried out by the giant food multi-national Nestle, who were looking for a way to capture the therapeutic benefits of the tomato-derived compound lycopene.

After its launch to doctors this month, Ateronon willl be made available direct to consumers through high street pharmacists from July onwards.

Dr Gunter Schmidt, a biologist and chief executive of CTL, said he was confident that once doctors had observed the benefits of Ateronon, they would instantly see the benefits.

He said: “We are extremely excited about Ateronon. We have 10 worldwide patents recognising its efficacy, but we want its capabilities to be taken very seriously by clinicians as well. We don’t want it dismissed as just another food supplement.”

Alongside the development of Ateronon, Ivan Petyaev, a senior cardiologist and Medical Director of CTL, has invented an important new assay as a consequence of research from a project originally funded with a grant from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The BHF project was investigating the role of bacteria in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. It is known that Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria are always present in the circulatory systems of heart disease sufferers, and Petyaev has developed an innovation called the AtheroAbzyme kit, which detects antibodies to the bacteria.

The level of antibody activity is in direct proportion to the level of atherosclerotic activity, and the test can give an accurate picture of the progress of the disease – and most importantly, the effect of Ateronon in controlling it.

“What we have done is to develop a method of delivering something which is of known benefit, and a method of measuring what it is doing,” Dr Petyaev added.

For further information go to www.ateronon.com.

Medical experts have welcomed the results of trials on a compound which offers the potential to combat atherosclerosis.

Doctors from across the world have said the launch of Ateronon, the natural supplement developed by Cambridge scientists, is an important breakthrough in the treatment of heart disease related illnesses.

Dozens of in-vitro studies and epidemiological research projects have shown that lycopene – found in the skins of ripe tomatoes – has the capacity to significantly reduce atherosclerosis. Lycopene is the potent antioxidant isolated for health-promoting properties from the Mediterranean diet.

Until now, the problem has been how to manipulate the molecular structure of the compound to provide optimum absorption.

Researchers from Cambridge Theranostics Limited (CTL), a biotech spin-out company of Cambridge University, have now proved they have done it with their new Ateronon compound.

Dr Sesso, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard University in Boston, said: “Ateronon looks to affect the process of metabolism and LDL cholesterol in a very different way to traditional antioxidants and it’s through these types of mechanisms that Ateronon holds particular promise as an agent to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease over time.”

Dr Michele Gulizi, President of the Italian Association on Arrhythmias and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC), said: “Using a dietary supplement that can implement the inhibition of oxidative stress is one of the goals that we all, as surgeons and cardiologists, must follow in order to prolong survival. “

Peter Kirkpatrick, Consultant Neurovascular Surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, has also welcomed the developments for stroke patients.

He said: “For many years now, we have been trying to identify agents that may protect us from the devastating effects of a stroke. ATERONON™ is an exciting safe agent that may prove to have a major impact on this disease.”

Results from their early trials involving 150 people with heart disease were made public for the first time at the British Cardiovascular Society annual conference in London on Monday (1^st June).

The Ateronon formulation combines lycopene with milk and soy-based proteins to produce a much smaller, and more bio-available molecule. The early studies have shown that Ateronon can inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to almost zero within eight weeks.

Large scale studies are now being undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and at Harvard Medical School, in the expectation that they will demonstrate that the reduction of LDL oxidation is translated into improved heart and circulatory health – and improved survival rates.

The study was built on research originally carried out by multi-national food manufacturer Nestle, who were looking for a way to capture the therapeutic benefits of the tomato-derived compound lycopene.

After its launch to doctors this month, Ateronon will be made available direct to consumers through high street pharmacists from July onwards.

Dr Gunter Schmidt, a biologist and chief executive of CTL, said he was confident that once doctors had observed the benefits of Ateronon, they would instantly see the potential benefits.

He said: “We are extremely excited about Ateronon. We have 10 worldwide patents recognising its efficacy, but we want its capabilities to be taken very seriously by clinicians as well. We don’t want it dismissed as just another food supplement.”

An estimated 17.5 million people died from heart and circulatory diseases in 2005, representing 30% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.6 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke[1].

More than 117,000 people die each year in the UK from coronary heart disease. It accounts for one in five deaths in men and one in six deaths in women[2].

The four million people who take statins to help lower their cholesterol and chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke could benefit from using Ateronon. The product can be taken alongside statins.

Although cholesterol does put people at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, half of all heart attacks and three quarters of all strokes occur in people who do not have raised cholesterol.

Alongside the development of Ateronon, Ivan Petyaev, a senior cardiologist and Medical Director of CTL, has invented an important new assay as a consequence of research from a project originally funded with a grant from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The BHF project was investigating the role of bacteria in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. It is known that Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria are always present in the circulatory systems of heart disease sufferers, and Petyaev has developed an innovation called the AtheroAbzyme kit, which detects antibodies to the bacteria.

The level of antibody activity is in direct proportion to the level of atherosclerotic activity, and the test can give an accurate picture of the progress of the disease – and most importantly, the effect of Ateronon in controlling it.

“What we have done is to develop a method of delivering something which is of known benefit, and a method of measuring what it is doing,” Dr Petyaev added.

For further information go to www.ateronon.com.

Ends

For media enquiries, please contact Helen Barklam at Custard Media, tel: 01772 316924 or 07917 148900 or email helen@avaandgrace.com.

A leading GP has welcomed the launch of a potentially revolutionary heart disease treatment that offers people around the world the hope of combating the killer disease atherosclerosis.

GP Dr Rob Hicks said the launch of Ateronon, the natural supplement developed by Cambridge scientists, was a huge breakthrough in the treatment of heart disease related illnesses.

Dozens of in-vitro studies and epidemiological research have shown that lycopene – found in the skins of ripe tomatoes – has the capacity to significantly reduce atherosclerosis.

Lycopene is the potent antioxidant isolated for its health-promoting properties from the Mediterranean diet.

Until now, scientists have been unable to find a way of modifying lycopene molecules so they can be readily absorbed into the human body.

Researchers from Cambridge Theranostics Limited (CTL), a biotech spin-out company of Cambridge University, have now proved they have done it with their new Ateronon compound.

He said: “If you think that this can reduce the damage to the arteries, which is the damage that ends up causing heart attacks and strokes - this can potentially extend life but also saving lives on a global basis.

Results from their early trials involving 150 people with heart disease were made public for the first time at the British Cardiovascular Society annual conference in London on Monday (1^st June).

The Ateronon formulation combines lycopene with milk and soy-based proteins to produce a much smaller, and more bio-available molecule. The early studies have shown that Ateronon can inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to almost zero within eight weeks.

An estimated 17.5 million people died from heart and circulatory diseases in 2005, representing 30% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.6 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke.

More than 117,000 people die each year in the UK from coronary heart disease. It accounts for one in five deaths in men and one in six deaths in women.

The four million people who take statins to help lower their cholesterol and chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke could benefit from using Ateronon. The product can be taken alongside statins.

Although cholesterol does put people at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, half of all heart attacks and three quarters of all strokes occur in people who do not have raised cholesterol.

Large scale studies of Ateronon are being undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and at Harvard Medical School, in the expectation that they will demonstrate that the reduction of LDL oxidation is translated into improved heart and circulatory health – and improved survival rates.

The study was built on research originally carried out by the multi-national food giant Nestle, who were looking for a way to capture the therapeutic benefits of the tomato-derived compound lycopene.

After its launch to doctors this month, Ateronon will be made available direct to consumers through high street pharmacists from July onwards.

Dr Gunter Schmidt, a biologist and chief executive of CTL, said he was confident that once doctors had observed the benefits of Ateronon, they would instantly see the potential benefits.

He said: “We are extremely excited about Ateronon. We have 10 worldwide patents recognising its efficacy, but we want its capabilities to be taken very seriously by clinicians as well. We don’t want it dismissed as just another food supplement.”

Alongside the development of Ateronon, Ivan Petyaev, a senior cardiologist and Medical Director of CTL, has invented an important new assay as a consequence of research from a project originally funded with a grant from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The BHF project was investigating the role of bacteria in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. It is known that Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria are always present in the circulatory systems of heart disease sufferers, and Petyaev has developed an innovation called the AtheroAbzyme kit, which detects antibodies to the bacteria.

The level of antibody activity is in direct proportion to the level of atherosclerotic activity, and the test can give an accurate picture of the progress of the disease – and most importantly, the effect of Ateronon in controlling it.

“What we have done is to develop a method of delivering something which is of known benefit, and a method of measuring what it is doing,” Dr Petyaev added.

For further information go to www.ateronon.com.

Ends

For further information, please contact Helen Barklam at Custard Media, tel: 01772 316924 or 07917 148900 or email helen@avaandgrace.com.

A leading GP has welcomed the launch of a potentially revolutionary heart disease treatment that offers people around the world the hope of combating the killer disease.

GP Dr Rob Hicks said the launch of Ateronon, the natural supplement developed by Cambridge scientists, was a huge breakthrough in the treatment of heart disease related illnesses that can cause heart attacks and stroke.

Dozens of research studies have shown that lycopene – found in the skins of ripe tomatoes – has the capacity to significantly reduce the build up of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Lycopene is the potent antioxidant isolated for its health-promoting properties from the Mediterranean diet.

Until now, scientists have been unable to find a way of modifying lycopene molecules so they can be readily absorbed into the human body.

Researchers from Cambridge Theranostics Limited (CTL), a biotech spin-out company of Cambridge University, have now proved they have done it with their new Ateronon compound.

Dr Hicks said: “If you think that this can reduce the damage to the arteries, which is the damage that ends up causing heart attacks and strokes - this can potentially extend life but also saving lives on a global basis.

Results from their early trials involving 150 people with heart disease were made public for the first time at the British Cardiovascular Society annual conference in London on Monday (1^st June).

The Ateronon formulation combines lycopene with milk and soy-based proteins to produce a much smaller, and more bio-available molecule. The early studies have shown that Ateronon can inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can put people at risk of suffereing heart attacks and stroke, to almost zero within eight weeks.

An estimated 17.5 million people died from heart and circulatory diseases in 2005, representing 30% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.6 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke.

More than 117,000 people die each year in the UK from coronary heart disease. It accounts for one in five deaths in men and one in six deaths in women.

The four million people who take statins to help lower their cholesterol and chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke could benefit from using Ateronon. The product can be taken alongside statins.

Although cholesterol does put people at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, half of all heart attacks and three quarters of all strokes occur in people who do not have raised cholesterol.

Large scale studies of Ateronon are being undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and at Harvard Medical School, in the expectation that they will demonstrate that the reduction of LDL oxidation is translated into improved heart and circulatory health – and improved survival rates.

The study was built on research originally carried out by the multi-national food giant Nestle, who were looking for a way to capture the therapeutic benefits of the tomato-derived compound lycopene.

After its launch to doctors this month, Ateronon will be made available direct to consumers through high street pharmacists from July onwards.

Dr Gunter Schmidt, a biologist and chief executive of CTL, said he was confident that once doctors had observed the benefits of Ateronon, they would instantly see the potential benefits.

He said: “We are extremely excited about Ateronon. We have 10 worldwide patents recognising its efficacy, but we want its capabilities to be taken very seriously by clinicians as well. We don’t want it dismissed as just another food supplement.”

For further information go to www.ateronon.com.

Ends

For further information, please contact Helen Barklam at Custard Media, tel: 01772 316924 or 07917 148900 or email helen@avaandgrace.com.