Horphag Research Chosen as Sixth Recipient of American Botanical Council's Tyler Award
(AUSTIN,
Texas, Feb. 25, 2013) The nonprofit American Botanical Council has announced Horphag
Research as the recipient of its annual Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in
Phytomedicinal Research Award. Horphag Research, based in Switzerland, is the
producer of Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster) extract, which is used
in hundreds of brands and formulas of dietary supplements, as well as in cosmetics,
functional foods, and beverages.
“Horphag Research and its entire team are, of course, very
honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Victor Ferrari, CEO of
Horphag Research. “It is an important recognition for the scientific work that
has been established over so many years on one single and unique product –
Pycnogenol.”
Horphag Research was founded in Berlin in 1925 as HormopharmaAG by Charles
Haimoff. In the 1960s, Haimoff’s vision of “healthy aging” led to the
development of the antioxidant French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol.
Research on the product began in 1965, and, just two years later, the first
preparations were being sold in Europe. By 1987, Horphag was awarded its first
US patent, and in 2003 Pycnogenol was self-affirmed to be GRAS (Generally
Recognized as Safe) for use in food products. Sales of Pycnogenol products to
consumers now exceed $500 million annually and are sold in more than 80
countries around the world.
“For 40 years, Horphag has invested in extensive research to ensure the safety
and efficacy of Pycnogenol as a premium ingredient,” said Frank
Schönlau, PhD, scientific director for Horphag Research. “For more than a
decade, I have personally overseen much of the research as we have built upon
that commitment. I am extremely proud to see the team recognized for its
dedication to making Pycnogenol one of the most well-researched natural health
supplements available today.”
“ABC congratulates Horphag Research for this most well-deserved and
probably overdue honor,” said Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director
of ABC. “Horphag Research is the epitome of a research-based natural products
company, investing millions of dollars in scores of clinical research trials on
its key product, Pycnogenol.
“Professor Varro Tyler was one of my key mentors for about 20 years. He
repeatedly emphasized his desire to see herb companies invest in scientific and
clinical research on their herb and phytomedicinal products. I have no doubt
that if he were alive today, he would fully endorse ABC’s choosing Horphag this
year to receive his eponymous award,” continued Blumenthal.
The late
Prof. Tyler — who has been described as one of the most respected men in late
20th century herbal medicine and pharmacognosy (the study of
medicines of natural origin, usually from plants) — was an early trustee of ABC,
dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Purdue
University, and vice-president of academic affairs at Purdue. He was the senior
author of six editions of the leading textbook in the field, formerly used in
every college of pharmacy in the United States.
Prof.
Tyler urged his students and colleagues “not only to seek the truth but, after
finding it, to discard any preconceived ideas which it may reveal as untrue.” He
encouraged scientific and product integrity and envisioned a rational herbal
healthcare sector that valued the proper evaluation of products’ quality,
safety, and efficacy.
“Receiving the American Botanical Council’s Tyler Award provides not only
credibility to our scientific work, but also a tremendous motivation to our
team to continue providing scientific evidence on a multitude of health
benefits of Pycnogenol,” said Ferrari. “We are not only blessed
with one of the most versatile and well-documented products in this industry,
but also with the most professional and dedicated team.”
According
to Horphag, the extensive study of Pycnogenol has resulted in more
than 100 published clinical studies and 300 scientific publications. Horphag
Research’s bibliography includes studies on a diverse group of topics,
including antioxidant properties, cardiovascular health, skincare, joint
health, sports nutrition, and more. Recently published studies show the
abilities of Pycnogenol to reduce perimenopausal symptoms, improve skin
hydration and elasticity, reduce asthma symptoms, and improve endothelial
function.
This
proliferation of research and the popularity of Pycnogenol products
are likely what caught the eye of celebrated surgeon and TV host Mehmet Oz, MD,
who recently spent a segment of his “Dr. Oz” show discussing the benefits of
Pycnogenol for younger-looking skin. The effects extolled by Oz are perfectly
in line with the company’s motto of helping people “look, feel, and live better.”
The Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in
Phytomedicinal Research Award will be presented at the 8th Annual
American Botanical Celebration and Awards Ceremony on March 7 in Anaheim,
California. The ABC event occurs during the annual Nutracon conference and
Natural Products Expo West and is open to ABC Sponsor and Corporate members.
The American Botanical Celebration and Awards Ceremony is underwritten by
generous contributions from the following members of the herb, dietary
supplement, and natural products industry (i.e., raw material suppliers,
supplement and tea manufacturers, analytical laboratories, a law firm, an
insurer, a media company, and a trade organization):
Alkemists Laboratories Amin Talati, LLC ChromaDex EuroPharma Grifcon Enterprises Horphag Research Indena USA, Inc. Martin Bauer Group
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MegaFood Natural Factors Nutritional Products New Chapter, Inc. New Hope Natural Media PlusPharma, Inc. RFI Ingredients, LLC Traditional Medicinals, Inc. United Natural Products Alliance
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