Niagen Bioscience Renames Research Program to Strengthen Global Commitment to NAD+ Science and Healthy Aging Research
Niagen Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAGE), a company focused on advancing the science of healthy aging through research on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), has announced the official rebranding of its long-running ChromaDex External Research Program (CERP). The initiative will now operate under the name Niagen Research Program, reflecting the company’s corporate evolution and its continued commitment to expanding scientific understanding of NAD+ biology and the applications of its flagship ingredient, Niagen®.
The announcement marks an important milestone for the company as it seeks to further strengthen collaborations with academic institutions, healthcare researchers, and scientific organizations worldwide. Through the newly renamed program, Niagen Bioscience aims to continue supporting independent research exploring the role of NAD+ in human health, aging, metabolism, and disease.
The rebranding comes at a time when interest in NAD+ science is accelerating across both the scientific community and the broader healthcare industry. Researchers are increasingly investigating the role of NAD+ in cellular function, energy production, healthy aging, and a variety of age-related conditions, making it one of the most actively studied areas in longevity research.
Reflecting the Growth of NAD+ Research
According to Niagen Bioscience, the decision to rename the program reflects not only the company’s new identity but also the remarkable growth of the global research ecosystem surrounding NAD+.
For years, the research initiative has served as a platform through which independent investigators can access research-grade Niagen materials, technical support, and scientific collaboration opportunities. The program has played a significant role in helping researchers explore how NAD+ levels influence biological processes throughout the body.
Rob Fried, Chief Executive Officer of Niagen Bioscience, emphasized the importance of maintaining scientific rigor as public interest in NAD+ continues to grow.
He noted that the newly named Niagen Research Program represents both the maturity of the underlying science and the expanding network of investigators working to advance knowledge in the field. Fried highlighted the company’s longstanding focus on building a strong scientific foundation through collaborations with leading academic researchers and institutions.
As awareness of NAD+ biology increases, he stressed that rigorous clinical research, credible scientific evidence, and responsible communication remain essential to ensuring the field develops on a solid scientific basis.
Supporting Researchers Around the World
Since its inception, the research program has supported investigators from some of the world’s most respected scientific and medical institutions.
Researchers affiliated with organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Cambridge have utilized Niagen in both preclinical and clinical studies aimed at understanding the biological functions of NAD+.
The program provides investigators with access to oral food-grade Niagen as well as pharmaceutical-grade formulations for research purposes. In addition to supplying study materials, the initiative offers scientific collaboration and technical assistance designed to facilitate high-quality research projects.
A distinguishing feature of the program is its emphasis on independent scientific investigation. According to the company, more than 45 peer-reviewed clinical studies involving Niagen have been published to date, with over 90% conducted independently by external researchers.
This level of independent validation is particularly important in the nutritional and healthy aging sectors, where robust clinical evidence is increasingly valued by healthcare professionals, regulators, and consumers alike.
Expanding Knowledge Across Multiple Health Areas
Research supported through the Niagen Research Program has explored the potential role of NAD+ and nicotinamide riboside across a broad range of biological systems and health conditions.
Scientists have investigated how NAD+ influences skeletal muscle function, brain health, cardiovascular performance, metabolic processes, inflammation, and cellular energy production. Additional studies have examined cognitive function, reproductive health, sleep quality, and exercise performance.
The growing body of research reflects the central role NAD+ plays in cellular metabolism. NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme present in all living cells and is essential for numerous biological processes, including energy generation, DNA repair, and cellular signaling.
Because NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, researchers have become increasingly interested in strategies that may help restore or maintain these levels. Nicotinamide riboside, the active ingredient in Niagen, is considered one of the most studied NAD+ precursors and has attracted significant scientific attention for its ability to elevate NAD+ concentrations.
Over time, the research program has expanded beyond traditional aging and metabolic studies into newer and emerging scientific fields.
Exploring Rare Diseases and New Clinical Applications
Among the program’s notable contributions has been its role in introducing new disease areas into NAD+ research.
The initiative has supported investigations into conditions such as Peripheral Artery Disease and Ataxia Telangiectasia, a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple body systems and currently has limited treatment options.
These efforts demonstrate the growing interest in understanding whether modulation of NAD+ biology may have therapeutic relevance beyond healthy aging and general wellness applications.
The program has also expanded into pharmaceutical research involving advanced formulations of nicotinamide riboside.
Recent clinical studies have incorporated pharmaceutical-grade Niagen in investigations evaluating intravenous and injectable administration approaches. These studies represent a new frontier in NAD+ research and may provide additional insights into how different delivery methods influence bioavailability, metabolism, and clinical outcomes.
As scientific understanding of NAD+ continues to evolve, such studies could help identify new opportunities for therapeutic development and precision health interventions.
Supporting More Than 175 Active Research Projects
Niagen Bioscience reported that the research program currently supports more than 175 ongoing and developing research studies around the world.
This growing portfolio highlights the increasing interest among researchers in understanding the biological significance of NAD+ and exploring potential applications across diverse health areas.
The broad range of projects being supported reflects both the versatility of NAD+ biology and the expanding network of institutions engaged in this area of research.
By providing access to research materials and scientific expertise, the company aims to accelerate discovery while fostering collaboration among investigators working in different disciplines.
The program’s leadership believes that continued investment in independent research will be essential for generating the evidence needed to advance the field and inform future clinical applications.
Investing in the Next Generation of Scientists
In addition to expanding support for established researchers, Niagen Bioscience has introduced a new initiative designed to encourage emerging scientists.
The recently launched Niagen Bioscience Trainee Grant Program will provide financial support to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing investigator-initiated studies.
For its inaugural year, the program will award three grants of $10,000 each to support research focused on exercise performance, physical recovery, fatigue reduction, and physiological adaptation.
These topics align with growing scientific interest in the relationship between NAD+ metabolism, physical performance, and healthy aging.
The company views the grant program as an important investment in the future of NAD+ science and an opportunity to encourage innovative research from early-career investigators.
By supporting young scientists, Niagen Bioscience hopes to foster new discoveries and contribute to the long-term development of the field.
Updated Research Application Process
Alongside the rebranding announcement, the company introduced an updated application and review process for researchers interested in participating in the Niagen Research Program.
The revised system is designed to support studies involving both oral food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade Niagen materials while streamlining access for qualified investigators.
Current priority research areas identified by the program include dermatology and cosmetic science, cognitive health, cellular energy metabolism, cardiovascular wellness, immune response and inflammation, exercise and muscle performance, reproductive health, sleep quality, and pharmaceutical-grade injectable or intravenous Niagen applications.
These focus areas reflect some of the most active and promising directions in contemporary NAD+ research.
The transition from the ChromaDex External Research Program to the Niagen Research Program represents more than a name change. It signals the company’s intention to further strengthen its leadership role within the rapidly growing field of NAD+ science.
As interest in longevity research, healthy aging, and cellular health continues to expand, the importance of rigorous, independent scientific investigation is expected to grow alongside it.
With more than 175 active research projects, dozens of published clinical studies, collaborations with leading global institutions, and new funding opportunities for emerging researchers, the Niagen Research Program is positioned to play a central role in advancing understanding of NAD+ biology in the years ahead.
Through continued support for high-quality research and scientific collaboration, Niagen Bioscience aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based insights that may ultimately improve human health, enhance quality of life, and deepen understanding of the biological processes associated with aging and cellular function.
About Niagen Bioscience:
Niagen Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAGE) is the global authority in NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) science and healthy-aging research. As a trusted pioneer of NAD+ discoveries, Niagen Bioscience™ is dedicated to advancing healthspan through precision science and innovative NAD+-boosting solutions.
The Niagen Bioscience team, composed of world-renowned scientists, works with independent investigators from esteemed universities and research institutions around the globe to uncover the full potential of NAD+. A vital coenzyme found in every cell of the human body, NAD+ declines with age and exposure to everyday lifestyle stressors. NAD+ depletion is a key contributor to age-related changes in health and vitality.
Distinguished by state-of-the-art laboratories, rigorous scientific and quality protocols, and collaborations with leading research institutions worldwide, Niagen Bioscience sets the gold standard for research, quality, and innovation. There’s a better way to age.
At the heart of its clinically proven product portfolio is Niagen® (patented nicotinamide riboside, or NR), the most efficient, well-researched, and high-quality NAD+ booster available. Niagen powers the Company’s consumer supplement, Tru Niagen®, the number one NAD+ boosting oral supplement in the United States† (available at www.truniagen.com), and Niagen™ Plus, featuring pharmaceutical-grade intravenous (IV) and injectable Niagen products (www.niagenplus.com). Pharmaceutical-grade Niagen IV and injections are compounded and distributed by U.S. FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities and are available exclusively at clinics with a prescription.
