nir-vana innovation network

A team of Greek University professors, after 3 decades of research, have developed - with innovative patented technology - a method for producing a fraction of inhibitors of inflammatory and thrombotic factor known as Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF), from by-products of the Mediterranean food industry (oil, winery, fish processing), suitable for a food supplement ingredient with anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic action. PAF is implicated in thromboinflammatory - neuroinflammatory diseases and its inhibitors show beneficial effects.

The team has studied in depth the effect of these PAF inhibitors on cardiovascular disease, with in vitro experiments, with cell culture experiments and with in vivo experiments with dietary interventions on experimental animals and humans. This fraction, added in dietary interventions on experimental animals, indicates (directly) that it inhibits the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and regresses (cures) existing atherosclerotic plaques. In cell cultures and humans, its beneficial effect is seen indirectly from its effect on risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

In addition to cardiovascular disease, the literature shows that PAF inhibitors have a beneficial effect on other (thrombo /neuro-) inflammatory diseases (cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, allergies, autoimmune diseases, periodontitis, ocular diseases, AIDS and most recently COVID-19).

Due to its natural origin, it is a harmless and and stable substance which can be a dietary supplement in the form of capsules/tablets (alone or with other ingredients) or as an additive in various foods. It should be noted that dietary supplements with PAF inhibitors are not available internationally.

The team proposes a license agreement or a commercial agreement with technical assistance to transfer the rights for producing the above PAF inhibitor fraction as well as for its commercial exploitation worldwide, for a lump sum. Alternatively, the transfer of rights could involve a reduced lump sum plus a percentage of the commercial gains from its exploitation.

Advantages & innovations

While today there are dietary supplements with antioxidants, phenolic ingredients with anti-inflammatory action, vitamins, minerals, omega-3, etc. there is no dietary supplement with a specific anti-PAF action (anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic) that has a beneficial effect on the pathological conditions in which PAF is involved. In addition, this fraction of PAF inhibitors consists of a type of natural ingredient that is not commonly used - polar lipids (of the class of glycolipids), which do not create some of the problems that phenolic compounds might cause. It is an innovative yet simple technology and currently there is no market "know how" that addresses the issue nor is there a direct competitor since the fraction of PAF inhibitors from natural sources in food supplements and / or in foods is not yet marketed internationally.

Stage of development

Under development/lab tested

Partner sought

In the context of a license agreement or a commercial agreement with technical assistance, the Greek team seeks: - a partner from the food, food supplement, medical, pharma and other relevant industries that will undertake (with the consortium's know-how) the isolation of this fraction from one or more of its preferably Greek by-products. - a partner in the above industries that will prepare dietary supplements (in some form) or incorporate the fraction into dietary supplements. - a partner in the above industries that will add the aforementioned fraction in some foods and will market their circulation internationally.