Aker BioMarine collaborates with University of Illinois Chicago

Aker BioMarine collaborates with University of Illinois Chicago

Aker BioMarine has obtained exclusive rights to University of Illinois Chicago’s (UIC) intellectual property (IP) related to LPC and will contribute to the research team as they continue to explore the potential of the lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) form of EPA and DHA.

In November, Aker BioMarine launched LYSOVETA™, a new delivery platform based on LPC-bound EPA and DHA from krill. At the same time the company announced that it would continue to explore the full potential of LYSOVETA and build knowledge about how it may affect conditions related to cognitive and eye health. By entering into an exclusive IP licensing agreement with UIC, Aker BioMarine takes another step forward in exploring the potential of LYSOVETA.

The University of Illinois Chicago has been at the forefront of the research into the LPC-bound EPA and DHA and its ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier to enter the brain. As demonstrated by Prof. Papasani Subbaiah, professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular genetics at the UIC College of Medicine, LPC is the preferred carrier of EPA and DHA to the brain and eyes, pinpointing LPC as a superior delivery platform to enrich these organs with essential omega 3 fatty acids.

“The LPC transporter allows EPA and DHA to enter the brain and the retina. We have demonstrated that LPC- bound EPA and DHA from krill oil have a huge beneficial effect on the uptake levels in these organs”, says Prof. Papasani Subbaiah, professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular genetics at the UIC College of Medicine.

As part of the collaboration with UIC, Aker BioMarine will receive an exclusive license to the current intellectual property resulting from Prof. Subbaiah’s work on LPC-EPA/DHA. Prof. Subbaiah has been working on the subject of acquisition of DHA by the brain for several years, and has demonstrated the unique ability of dietary LPC EPA/DHA to enrich brain and retinal DHA. He has published extensively in this field, including 3 scientific papers in 2020 alone. UIC has acquired an IP portfolio which Aker BioMarine now has secured the exclusive rights to. The company will also take responsibility for supplying the UIC team with LPC-bound EPA and DHA derived from Antarctic krill to further their research.

Building a collaborative network

“Our partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago marks the first step in establishing a strong network of collaborators within the LPC-bound EPA and DHA field. We will continue to explore the potential of LPC-bound EPA and DHA from krill, to gain a broader and in-depth understanding of how LYSOVETA can benefit brain and eye function. There is no better way to kick this off than with a world-leading research team on this subject by our side,” says Matts Johansen, CEO, Aker BioMarine.

"It is important to bring our findings into the real world, to test and prove the commercial potential of LPC-bound EPA and DHA in terms of its benefits on human health. We are excited about this collaboration with Aker BioMarine, a partner whose products are firmly rooted in science,” says Hyunjin Kim, Associate Technology Manager at UIC’s Office of Technology Management.

Since its inception, Aker BioMarine has worked closely with universities worldwide to study the health benefits of its products derived from Antarctic krill. To increase knowledge on the effects of LPC-bound EPA and DHA, Aker BioMarine will continue to expand its collaborations to other partners who are eager to explore the benefits of this carrier on human health.

Learn more about LYSOVETA™

Read the press release announcing LYSOVETA™

For media interviews, contact:

Lisa Miller
Communications Director, US
ph: +1 (201) 532-0312
lisa.miller@akerbiomarine.com

About the University of Illinois Chicago

The University of Illinois Chicago is the Chicago’s largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve more than 33,000 students. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state’s principal educator of health professionals and a major healthcare provider to underserved communities. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of one of the world’s greatest cities.

About Aker BioMarine

Aker BioMarine is a biotech innovator and Antarctic krill-harvesting company, dedicated to improving human and planetary health. The company develops krill-based ingredients for nutraceutical, aquaculture, and animal feed applications. The company’s fully transparent value chain stretches from sustainable krill harvesting in pristine Antarctic waters through its Montevideo logistics hub, Houston production plant, and all the way to customers around the world.