Business
OXIS International, Inc. (OXIS.OB) (OXI.PA) is engaged in the research, development and sale of products that counteract the harmful effects of “oxidative stress.” Oxidative stress refers to the situations in which the body’s antioxidant and other defensive abilities to combat free radicals (a.k.a highly reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen) are overwhelmed and normal healthy balance is lost.
Products
Our products include therapeutic nutraceutical products, cosmeceutical products and proprietary formulations/clinical products that are developed internally and/or out-licensed to biotech and pharmaceutical companies as drug candidates. We focus on naturally occurring protective substances since they are more likely to be both safe and efficacious Our primary products emphasize and incorporate the naturally occurring compound, L-Ergothioneine (“ERGO”), as a key component. Two product launches are planned for summer 2010: (1) “Ergo-Pur™” - a pure form of our highly potent multifaceted antioxidant which we anticipate will be used in some cases in concert with, (2) “Ergo-Plex™” - a combination of ERGO plus other functional nutraceutical ingredients directed at Joint Health.
Benefits of ERGO
Some of the potential benefits of ERGO include its ability to: (1) Conserve and maintain the levels of other antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C and glutathione; (2) Increase respiration and the oxidation of fat (possibly contributing to increased energy and exercise capacity); (3) Protect mitochondria from damage; (4) Reduce the damaging effects of environmental ultraviolet radiation (likely to be important in protecting the eyes against cataract producing oxidative injury); (5) Neutralize increased oxidative stress by providing an ROS (reactive oxygen species) and RNS (reactive nitrogen species) scavenging capacity, a property that protects key molecules in the body; and, (6) Protect against the effects of neurotoxins that are believed to have a casual role in the development and progression of cognitive decline.
Intellectual Property
We own nine patents and two patent pending applications that cover current and planned products relevant to our nutraceutical and cosmecuetical businesses. These patents and patent applications address the protective effect of ERGO on mitochondria, the ERGO manufacturing process, and the significant neuroprotectant activities and compositions of ERGO. Most of our nine other granted patents and five other patent pending applications cover potential therapeutic drug candidates that we may develop ourselves and/or out-license to biotech and pharmaceutical companies.