Creatine and Carnitine for Treating Skin Pigmentation

Avicena Group Inc. announced it has been issued, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), US Patent No. 7,186,754, entitled, "Use of Creatine or Creatine Compounds for Skin Preservation." The newly issued patent contains claims that cover methods and compositions for treating uneven skin pigmentation using a topical application of creatine and carnitine.

The new patent applies to the company's Nurigene skin care regimen, which promotes optimal cellular regeneration and protection by providing nourishment to the skin's cellular growth environment. Clinical studies reportedly have demonstrated that the skin care regimen leads to improvements in skin cell turnover, skin firmness, skin elasticity and the skin's ability to retain moisture.

This invention comes after dermatologists responded in February 2007 against the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) proposed rule banning over-the-counter availability of hydroquinone for skin bleaching. If passed, the FDA rule would deem both OTC and prescription skin bleaching products as new drugs requiring approved new drug applications for the products to remain on the market.

One industry expert appealed to the FDA, pointing to the fact that removing hydroquinone from the market will not remove the demand from consumers for it . He added that studies cited testing hydroquinone were not consistent with cosmetic use--one study was based on oral ingestion while another was based on a 10% concentration, and hydroquinone in the United States is allowed up to 2%.

Although creatine and carnitine may act differently than hydroquinone on skin, personal care innovators continue to look for alternative paths such as these to meet the consumer demand for skin lightening products.

Avicena Group Inc. is a late stage biotechnology company that develops products based on knowledge of the regulation of cellular energy processes. The company’s technologies have applications in pharmaceuticals and dermaceuticals. Avicena presently derives revenue from the sale of proprietary ingredients to skin care manufacturers. According to the group, this patent enhances the company's skin care patent portfolio, which also featured US Patent No. 6,242,491, with claims directed to methods for treating skin damage resulting from sun radiation, stress, fatigue or free radicals, by administering creatine.

"We are extremely pleased to have received this additional patent claim to broaden our IP position in dermaceuticals," stated Belinda Tsao-Nivaggioli, PhD, Avicena’s chief executive officer, in a press statement.  She added that this discovery that a composition of creatine and carnitine is an effective treatment for uneven skin pigmentation provides a new approach to a common dermatological problem.