Carlsbad, CA - December 4, 2006 - Next Pharmaceuticals announced today that they are launching Chromulin™ a new patented (US Patent No. 6,689,383) form of chromium that is stable, and according to the company, has better absorption, is water soluble and safer than other forms of chromium including chromium picolinate. It is a natural combination of the essential mineral Chromium III with the essential amino acid histidine, formulated and patented by Dr. Richard A. Anderson at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and licensed to Next Pharmaceuticals.

We're very excited about offering Chromulin™ to the functional food, beverage, and supplement industries, “ said Bob Garrison, President and CEO of Next Pharmaceuticals. ”Chromulin™ offers new opportunities for formulating more effective products targeting the healthy heart, diabetic, anti-aging and weight management categories.”

Chromium is essential for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Chromium inhibits TNF_ and IL-6 thereby decreasing inflammation caused by high glucose concentrations. New research has demonstrated that Chromulin™ (chromium histidine) decreases LDL-Cholesterol oxidation and the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases not only through its ability to improve insulin actions, but also through its antioxidant properties. “The increases in obesity and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases may not be normal consequences of aging but rather suboptimal dietary patterns that are manifest with age. Improved chromium nutrition is one of the factors that leads to reversal of suboptimal health that manifests with age.” Anderson, RA, J. of American College of Nutrition, 23: 476 (2004)

About Next Pharmaceuticals
Next Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NPI) was founded in 1997 with the purpose of developing new, patented, natural ingredients for healthy living products in the dietary supplement, food and beverage industries. The goal of the company is to expand self-care and keep people out of the health care system for a longer period of time. NPI has successfully developed seven ingredients that have significantly expanded the choices for self-care products while providing large consumer brands with powerful product differentiation. For more information log onto www.nextpharmaceuticals.com.