Natural Alternatives International, Inc. ("NAI") (NASDAQ: NAII), a leading formulator, manufacturer and marketer of customized nutritional supplements, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance of its patent application directed to sustained release formulations of beta-alanine. This Notice follows the September 14, 2012, issuance of NAI's corresponding sustained release patent in Canada and a similar Notice of Allowance in South Korea. This new intellectual property becomes part of NAI's growing portfolio covering its CarnoSyn® beta-alanine and SR CarnoSyn® product.
Mark A. LeDoux, NAI's CEO and Chairman of the Board, said that "NAI is very excited by the addition of this new intellectual property related to a broad range of sustained release formulations for beta-alanine compositions. We believe this new patented technology will dramatically expand the use of beta-alanine to a much broader group of consumers. These new patent rights will not expire until 2028, and further demonstrates our commitment and significant investment in the CarnoSyn® beta-alanine business."
Dr. Roger Harris, a named inventor on NAI's new sustained release intellectual property, added, "The use of extended release formulations for beta-alanine is an advancement in supplement intake. The result is an increase in the beneficial amount of beta-alanine retained in the body while reducing loss through metabolic processes. Additionally, sustained release formulations minimize or reduce parasthesia, a common side effect that can be experienced by those taking beta-alanine as an individual amino acid." Using sustained release forms of beta-alanine will not only meet the needs of bodybuilders, but also expand into other areas of use by individuals.