BELLEVUE, WA--(Marketwired - Sep 8, 2016) - Astavita, Inc . , a WA-based provider of nutraceutical products containing proprietary natural astaxanthin and a global brand of AstaReal Group, today announced the interim results of a clinical study showing patients with sarcopenia significantly improved muscle strength as a result of receiving 30 days of a natural astaxanthin formulation without any lifestyle modifications or additional exercise protocols. The ongoing study is designed to explore the effectiveness of AstaMed MYO among sarcopenia adult patients who have impaired muscle function. Final results are anticipated in Q4' 2016 or Q1' 2017. The official launch of AstaMed MYO is scheduled for Q4' 2016 and will be available from pharmacies.
During this interim period, patients demonstrated statistically significant double digit improvements in muscle strength (maximal voluntary contractions of leg muscles) as a preliminary result of daily administration of AstaMed MYO. It is believed that oxidative stress lowered by AstaMed MYO's astaxanthin formulation allowed the subjects to generate greater force in skeletal muscles through improved muscle metabolism.
"Astavita is continuing to pioneer the clinical development of astaxanthin-based products to address unmet nutritional and health needs for individuals, such as those living with sarcopenia," said Dan Henry, General Manager, Astavita, Inc. "We're aggressively expanding our research and development capabilities to provide new and innovative solutions for the 21st century. There is an increasing need for new options to help address the long term health requirements of people living with the debilitating effects of sarcopenia and associated loss of muscle function and performance. These interim results support the effectiveness of AstaMed MYO as a new clinical strategy for sarcopenia patients."
The interim results represent the first marker of a 4-month study being conducted at the University of Washington among more than 50 male and female adult subjects, aged 65-85 years of age, with evidence of skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction. The second and final marker will represent an additional 3-month period in which participants receiving AstaMed MYO, combined with exercise training, will be evaluated.
About Sarcopenia Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle. In sarcopenia, muscle mass, quality, and strength progressively decreases beyond the normal aging process, compromising physical function and independence, increasing risk of disability, and lowering quality of life in older adults. Although it is estimated that sarcopenia affects approximately 45% of the U.S. senior population and exceeds $18 billion dollars in direct healthcare costs, there are no approved pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of sarcopenia. Beginning October 2016, sarcopenia will be coded in the International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) under the code of M62.84
About AstaMed® MYO AstaMed MYO is a prescription medical food for the clinical dietary management of sarcopenia. The formulation consists of proprietary natural astaxanthin as well as natural tocotrienols, zinc and vitamin D3. The product is expected to be available in Q4' 2016 from pharmacies. For more information, please visit www.astamed.net
About AstaMed and Astavita, Inc. AstaMed is the medical food brand of Astavita, Inc., a health-focused company specializing in the development and marketing of nutraceutical products containing proprietary natural astaxanthin.
Astavita is a member of the AstaReal Group , a fully owned subsidiary of Fuji Chemical Group and global pioneers in natural astaxanthin cultivation, R&D and clinical science. For more information, please visit www.astavita.com
Media Contact: Jeff Denenholz Astavita, Inc. Email Contact 206-437-9810
