Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA
Founded: 1999
Ticker: NASDAQ: CDXC
Focus: NAD+ precursors, anti-aging, nutritional supplements
ChromaDex is a biotechnology company dedicated to the science of aging and cellular health. The company is best known for its development of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a unique form of vitamin B3 that serves as a precursor to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). NAD+ is a critical coenzyme involved in cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and the activity of sirtuin proteins, including SIRT1 and SIRT3.
ChromaDex's research focuses on the intersection of NAD+ biology and age-related diseases, with particular emphasis on neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The company's flagship consumer product, TruNiagen, delivers NR directly to consumers, while its pharmaceutical division pursues clinical development for therapeutic applications.
ChromaDex operates across two primary business segments:
- TruNiagen: Flagship supplement containing Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
- TruNiagen+: Enhanced formulation with additional anti-aging ingredients
- Mood+: NAD+ precursor combined with mood-supporting compounds
- Available through direct-to-consumer sales and retail partners
- Clinical development of NR for therapeutic indications
- Partnerships with academic institutions for mechanism validation
- Focus on neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and aging-related conditions
¶ Pipeline and Programs
| Program |
Indication |
Stage |
Mechanism |
| NR-001 |
Alzheimer's Disease |
Phase 2 |
NAD+ augmentation → SIRT1 activation |
| NR-002 |
Parkinson's Disease |
Phase 2 |
NAD+ augmentation → mitochondrial function |
| NR-003 |
Mitochondrial disorders |
Phase 1 |
NAD+ augmentation → cellular energetics |
ChromaDex's Parkinson's disease program centers on NAD+ augmentation as a therapeutic strategy:
Rationale:
- NAD+ levels decline with age and in PD brains
- SIRT1 activity requires adequate NAD+ levels
- Mitochondrial function depends on NAD+-dependent enzymes
- Parkinson's disease is associated with impaired NAD+ metabolism
Mechanism:
flowchart TD
A["Nicotinamide Riboside"] --> B["NAD+ Increase"]
B --> C["SIRT1 Activation"]
B --> D["SIRT3 Activation"]
C --> E["PGC-1α Deacetylation"]
C --> F["FOXO Activation"]
D --> G["SOD2 Activation"]
D --> H["Mitochondrial Enzyme Regulation"]
E --> I["Mitochondrial Biogenesis"]
F --> J["Stress Resistance"]
G --> K["ROS Reduction"]
H --> L["Metabolic Efficiency"]
I --> M["Dopaminergic Neuron Protection"]
J --> M
K --> M
L --> M
Clinical Evidence:
- Preclinical studies show NR protects dopaminergic neurons in MPTP models
- Phase 1 trials demonstrated safety and NAD+ level elevation in blood
- Phase 2 trials in early Parkinson's disease ongoing
The Alzheimer's program leverages SIRT1 activation through NAD+ augmentation:
- Reduced amyloid-beta accumulation in animal models
- Improved mitochondrial function in AD patient-derived cells
- Enhanced cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice
- Phase 2 trial ongoing in mild cognitive impairment
¶ Technology and Science
NR is a unique NAD+ precursor with several advantages:
| Property |
NR |
NMN |
Nicotinamide |
| Molecular weight |
255 Da |
335 Da |
122 Da |
| BBB penetration |
Good |
Moderate |
Good |
| Taste/neutrality |
Excellent |
Poor |
Poor |
| Clinical data |
Extensive |
Growing |
Extensive |
| Side effects |
Minimal |
Minimal |
GI issues |
- Cellular uptake: NR is transported into cells via equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs)
- Conversion: NR is converted to NMN via NR kinases (NRK1, NRK2)
- NAD+ synthesis: NMN is converted to NAD+ by NMN adenylyl transferases (NMNATs)
- Sirtuin activation: Elevated NAD+ activates SIRT1, SIRT3, and other NAD+-dependent enzymes
ChromaDex maintains collaborations with leading research institutions:
- University of Iowa: NAD+ metabolism in Parkinson's disease
- University of Colorado: SIRT1 and mitochondrial function
- NIH: NIA and NINDS grants for NAD+ research
- University of Cambridge: Aging research and sirtuin biology
ChromaDex occupies a unique position in the NAD+ supplement market:
¶ Competitive Landscape
| Company |
Product |
NR Content |
Price/30-day |
| ChromaDex |
TruNiagen |
300mg |
~$40 |
| Thorne |
NR Pro |
300mg |
~$50 |
| Life Extension |
NAD+ |
250mg |
~$35 |
| NOW Foods |
NAD+ |
250mg |
~$25 |
- Patent portfolio: Extensive IP covering NR synthesis and use
- Clinical data: Most extensive clinical dataset for NR
- Quality standards: Pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing
- Consumer trust: Established brand in anti-aging space
| Metric |
Value |
| Market Cap |
~$100M (2026) |
| 2025 Revenue |
~$45M |
| R&D Budget |
~$15M |
| Employees |
~150 |
- Consumer supplements: ~70%
- Pharmaceutical partnerships: ~20%
- Research grants: ~10%
- Aging population: Growing demand for anti-aging interventions
- Clinical validation: Ongoing trials may provide disease-modifying evidence
- Combination approaches: NR + sirtuin activators or other mechanisms
- Therapeutic expansion: Metabolic disease, cancer support, cardiovascular
- Efficacy evidence: Need robust clinical data for therapeutic claims
- Competition: Generic supplement versions of NR
- Regulation: FDA oversight for therapeutic claims
- Manufacturing: Scaling production while maintaining quality