The patent relates to the use of Lycored’s carotenoid compositions to protect the skin from UV radiation from the sun.
The company has held a patent in Canada since 2014 and has also learned that it has been granted one in Japan. A decision on a US patent is pending.
Lycored’s compositions, including its supplement-ready blend Lycoderm, combine natural lycopene with phytoene, phytofluene and vitamin E from tomatoes.
The patent applies to ingestible use of the compositions in supplements, foodstuff or beverages.
There is a growing body of evidence for the benefits of supplementation with carotenoids for skin health.
Last year, an award-winning study funded by Lycored found that Lycopene-Rich Tomato Nutrition Complex (TNC) and lutein can protect against UVA/B and UVA1 radiation at a molecular level.
Golan Raz, Head of Global Health Division at Lycored, said: “Lycored is delighted that its carotenoid compositions for skincare have received an EU patent. This is the result of years of hard work and research and further supports our mission to make the benefits of carotenoids as widely available as possible."
"With consumers increasingly embracing ingestible skincare, and a growing body of evidence for the benefits, we’re very excited about the future.”
Lycored is celebrating the news in typically creative fashion. It has updated its video game, Beta-blasters, by giving a new stronger shield to one of the characters, Fight-O-Fluene.