Sabinsa’s intellectual property portfolio now includes 308 separate patents granted across the world, most recently from Australia, Canada Europe, and the USA. The company’s patent portfolio includes composition, use and process patents. Many are for established ingredients such as LactoSpore, DigeZyme and Curcumin C3 Complex, while others are for relatively recent ingredients such as Nigellin and Sabroxy.
The company’s patent portfolio started with the grant of US patent no. 5536506, issued on 16th July 1996 for its extract of black pepper, BioPerine, for improving gastrointestinal absorption of nutrients. With this invention of black pepper extract, and the ensuing published research, the company helped many other organisations develop formulations to improve the absorption of nutrients. From there, the company launched its Curcumin C3 Complex, Citrin, ForsLean, LivLonga, LactoSpore among others. It also invented and patented products for skin and hair care, anticipating the trend for natural ingredients in that sector.
Recent patents Sabinsa was granted are for the products Nigellin and Sabroxy. Nigellin is a product enriched with thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone, isolated from the seeds of Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, which reportedly has many beneficial properties. This patented composition was also awarded with a US patent for its use in decreasing blood glucose levels by inhibiting the enzyme involved in carbohydrate digestion and absorption - α-glucosidase, and increasing glucose uptake by the cells, indicating a potential use in managing diabetes and related conditions.
Sabroxy is designed to assist better management of mental and cognitive health. Formulated from the bark of Oroxylum indicum and standardised to contain important ingredients like oroxylin A, baicalein and chrysin, this patented composition can help in maintaining good cognitive and mental health. The composition was also awarded with another patent for managing and alleviating symptoms of neurotoxicity due to hyperglycemia and chemotherapeutics. In addition to its neuroprotective functions, Sabinsa says, the composition is also very effective in reducing epileptic seizures (patent pending) and decreasing triglyceride levels in the blood.
In addition to the above grants for the company ingredients, the company’s probiotic LactoSpore was also awarded additional patent grants. Stomach ulcers and gastritis are on the rise in millennials due to the irregular food intake and lifestyles, and it’s established that Helicobacter pylori also contributes to gastritis. LactoSpore was effective in inhibiting infections related to H. pylori, along with Saberry (commonly known as Amla, or Indian Gooseberry). This invention was granted a patent in the US. A patent was also awarded for the ingredient’s ability to reduce intestinal gas (flatulence) and inhibiting gas producing microbes.
The extracellular metabolite of LactoSpore trademarked as LactoSporin, purified from the culture supernatant of the probiotic, was also awarded a patent grant for its use in preventing the formation of ageing signs on the skin.
“I’m very proud that Sabinsa has reached the milestone of over 300 patented grants worldwide, and more are coming,” said Dr Muhammed Majeed, Founder and Chairman of the Sami-Sabinsa Group. “Our motto “Our Innovation is your Answer” truly reflects the new products, nutritional supplements and formulations we develop in accordance with global standards to cater to the growing needs of the industry, and consumers.”
