New Patent-pending Indications for Natural Vitamin K2
Announced by PL Thomas in Strategic Alliance with Natto Pharma and VitaK BV
2006/09/20 - P. L. Thomas

PL Thomas & Company (PLT) of Morristown, NJ today announced new patent-pending indications for its Natural Vitamin K2 marketed under the trademark MenaQ7™. The role of Natural Vitamin K2 in bone health is well established, and recent research has shown that of the group of K vitamins, only K2 is linked to cardiovascular health. The alliance between PLT, Natto Pharma, Norway and VitaK BV now allows MenaQ7 to be offered for cardiovascular benefits with proprietary research and US patents pending.

PLT is the exclusive North American representative for Natto Pharma, Norway, the supplier of MenaQ7. Natto Pharma, as part of the Strategic Alliance, has acquired three US patents pending from VitaK, which is closely associated with the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. Further, Natto Pharma has committed to a five-year, multimillion dollar research initiative with VitaK, whereby the proprietary research and subsequent intellectual property developed will be owned by Natto Pharma.

According to Professor Cees Vermeer, PhD, CEO of VitaK, "We have reached full agreement with NattoPharma regarding the purchase of our three patents in the K2-nutrition area. The most important claims are the use of K2 in nutraceuticals, the use of K2 regarding cardiovascular disease/mortality and regression of arterial calcification, and the combinations of K2 and important nutrients including Omega-3 fatty acids." "These patents support Natto Pharma's natural vitamin K2," Professor Vermeer continued, "