Meal replacements are a safe and effective tool for weight loss and weight management and beyond. Recent research and concepts suggest that the category can provide additional metabolic and nutritional benefits not previously recognized. Recent studies indicate that use of protein‐enriched meal replacements helps maintain lean body mass during weight loss, providing additional metabolic benefits in the form of improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation. Depending on the formulation, meal replacements can have a low glycemic index and have a high nutrient density relative to energy density, the latter being an important aspect highlighted in government dietary guidance. While well defined in some markets, there is a need to establish clear regulatory standards in other key markets to ensure a level playing field and proper recognition of the category.
OBJECTIVES: Introduction: Many nutrition supplement researchers face hurdles when seeking non-commercially available materials for research. Challenges include difficulty identifying the correct contacts within a company, arranging material transfer agreements (MTAs), and utilizing the products in the most effective manner for success. The ChromaDex External Research Program (CERP) was established to streamline this process for the compound nicotinamide riboside, a healthy-aging nutritional supplement, commercially available as NIAGEN®. Lessons learned from CERP may be beneficial to other companies and academic researchers looking to build mutually beneficial relationships that expand research and product opportunities. Objective: Evaluate the metamorphosis of the MTA program into CERP, as a model for building relationships between nutrition supplement companies and academic investigators. METHODS: The process for obtaining a ChromaDex MTA was critically evaluated by various internal and external stakeholders. Recommendations were implemented and a six-month programmatic assessment was conducted. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2018, ChromaDex issued 175 MTAs to various academic, governmental, and industry researchers, providing preclinical and clinical materials. Evaluation of the program revealed that several MTA requests were missed, agreements were not enforced, and research relationships were not maximized. To improve, the program was re-branded as CERP and multiple changes were implemented. CERP is now comprised of a core team with support from an internal science team (ST). MTA requests now require an application that is reviewed by the ST (35% approval). The ST utilize rubrics and provide protocol recommendations to increase the project's probability of success. Once accepted into the program, investigators are required to communicate regularly with CERP in the form of progress reports. In turn, CERP provides confidential peer-review of manuscripts and intellectual property recommendations to the investigators. ...
