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Neptune Technologies & Bioressources is an industry-recognized leader in the innovation, production and formulation of science-based and clinically proven novel phospholipid products for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets.
Acasti Pharma Reports Positive Impacts of CaPre Drug on Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disorders
Drug discovery company Acasti Pharma, a subsidiary of Neptune Technologies & Bioressources (Nasdaq:NEPT) (TSX-V:NTB), has reported positive results on the effects of its drug candidate CaPre on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a biomarker of CardioVascular Disease (CVD) risk, and associated with diabetes and obesity.
The company`s stock shot up 7.94% on the Nasdaq to $1.36 as of 2:08pm ET on Thursday.
The study has demonstrated that pre-diabetic subjects, when treated once-daily with either 0.5g or 2.5g of CaPre human equivalent per day for 28 days, benefited from the treatment with a reduction of CRP levels by 15% and 24%, respectively.
The American Heart Association recognizes that testing CRP levels in the blood may be an additional way to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
The prevalence of high CRP levels is also accentuated in overweight and obese individuals, which now affects 60% of the population of 20 years and over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition, the company has previously discovered that CaPre reduces triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and elevates HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol).
"Accumulating evidence in the literature indicates that C-reactive protein, may be as important as LDL-cholesterol in assessing the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease," said chief operating officer Dr. Pierre Lemieux.
"Chronic inflammation is associated with the most prevalent health problems today such as obesity and diabetes. Similar to the JUPITER trial showing a CVD benefit of statin lowering CRP, a reduction in CRP by CaPre may constitute an additional tool in the systemic management of 800,000 myocardial infractions and 700,000 strokes that occur in United States each year," he added.
Acasti Pharma is developing a product portfolio of proprietary novel long-chain omega-3 phospholipids. Phospholipids are the major component of cell membranes and are essential for all vital cell processes. They are one of the principal constituents of HDL and, as such, play an important role in modulating cholesterol.
The company is focusing initially on treatments for chronic cardiovascular conditions within the over-the-counter, medical food and prescription drug markets.
Neptune produces clinically proven novel phospholipid products for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets. The company focuses on growing consumer health markets including cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurological diseases driven by consumers taking a more proactive approach to managing health and preventing disease. Its products are marketed and distributed in over 20 countries worldwide.
