The State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China has granted Sabinsa a patent entitled: "Process for Preparing Water Soluble Diterpenes and Their Applications." The innovation developed by Sabinsa and protected in China by this patent involves making the forskolin molecule water soluble by approximately 6000 times.
Sabinsa also holds patents on this process in USA, Eurasia, India, Philippines, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and Uzbekistan.
Forskolin solubility vastly increases the range of applications. Dr. Lakshmi Prakash, Sabinsa VP of Innovation & Business Development, said "Aqueous formulation facilitates the safe and effective use of forskolin as a natural ophthalmic drug in the management of glaucoma (approved in India), as well as in dermatological and related applications."
Forskolin is an extract prepared from the herb Coleus forskohlii, a member of the mint family of plants that grows wild in some parts of India. In some areas people grow it and use the roots to make pickle. In recent years, Coleus forskohlii has gained importance as the only source of Forskolin, a bioactive molecule with multiple applications in health and wellness, made possible due largely to research initiatives by Sabinsa.
This recent patent is the 66th in Sabinsa’s sizeable worldwide Intellectual Property portfolio. Additionally, Sabinsa has over 50 pending patent applications worldwide. The company continues to demonstrate its commitment to keeping the spirit of innovation alive in the industry, through sustained intellectual property creation and protection efforts.