Danone Research announces that it has taken an important step forward in the development program for its Alzheimer’s product SouvenaidTM with the successful completion of a first clinical trial.
SouvenaidTM, a multi-nutrient drink, is designed to improve cognitive function, and is the result of ten years of research and development into the potential role of nutrients in neurological diseases. Much of the early development work was conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, U.S.A., under the supervision of Professor R.J. Wurtman, Cecil H. Green distinguished Professor of Neuropharmacology.

The clinical trial stage followed on from the experimental and pre-clinical research and toxicological evaluations that were completed in 2006. The trial was designed as a randomised, controlled study with 212 people with Alzheimer’s Disease. The trial was initiated by the Danone Research Centre for Specialised Nutrition, and led by Professor Ph. Scheltens, Director of the Alzheimer Centre at the VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, as the Principal Investigator.

The trial results demonstrate clear proof of concept. The high-level results will be presented at the International Congress on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in Chicago, on July 30th, 2008. Subsequently, the results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

These first results on SouvenaidTM are very encouraging, and Danone Medical Nutrition will take the next step to continue the development program with a second study, beginning this year, to confirm initial findings.

About Danone Research:
‘Danone Research – Centre for Specialised Nutrition’ (based in Wageningen, The Netherlands) is the Danone R&D innovation centre for the development of new product concepts for baby nutrition and medical nutrition, amongst others for the Nutricia brand. Danone Research is part of Groupe Danone, one of the most successful health food companies in the world. Its mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. Apart from baby nutrition and medical nutrition, Danone has two other businesses: fresh dairy products and waters.