NAI receives U.S. patent allowance for sustained release beta-alanine products

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.

Since 2008, over 30 peer-reviewed studies have been published related to beta-alanine supplementation.  Thirteen of these studies were directed to sustained release forms of beta-alanine, eight of which were published in 2012 alone.

Initially, NAI intends to launch a sustained release beta-alanine product in tablet form.  It will be exclusively manufactured by NAI at its facilities in Vista, CA and sold by its exclusively licensed distributor, Compound Solutions, Inc., ("CSI"), a science and marketing based distributor of raw materials to the sports nutrition, dietary supplement, food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries.  NAI intends to expand its offering of various sustained release delivery systems into other forms such as pills, capsules, gel tabs, chewable tablets and powder.  NAI also plans to work with companies to develop and manufacture customized formulations covered by its intellectual property.