Clover’s proprietary DHA emulsion (Premneo) improves IQ of children born prematurely
Results of Australian clinical research study published today in prestigious New England Journal of Medicine
An Australian clinical research study has shown that the IQ of children born prematurely improved by 3.5-points and 30% closer to the mean IQ of children born full term, following dietary supplementation with a proprietary high DHA emulsion, Clover Corporation (ASX:CLV) announced today. Clover will now turn its attention to the commercialisation of the product.
Clover has been informed of the study results by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), which conducted the double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial. The results of the N3RO study, one of the largest of its type conducted in the world, have been published today in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. See
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206868?query=featured_home
Clover Corporation is a science-based bioactives company developing novel nutritional applications of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). It donated the DHA emulsion to the study, but was not involved in the study design, conduct or report preparation.
The N3RO study involved 1273 babies from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, born at less than 29 weeks of gestational age, half who received DHA supplementation and half who received a placebo. The potential cognitive benefits of the high DHA emulsion were assessed once participants reached five years of age in a subgroup of 656 children who were enrolled from the 5 largest recruitment centres.
“Children born prematurely generally have a lower IQ than children born full-term” said Peter Davey, CEO and Managing Director of Clover Corporation. “SAHMRI reported that the study has achieved a statistically significant 3.5-point improvement in the mean IQ score of the premature children who received the high DHA supplement, Premneo, compared with those who received a placebo emulsion.”
“By supplementing with Premneo until babies reached the equivalent of full term, the study showed for the first time that it is possible to improve IQ through a high DHA emulsion.”
Mr Davey said the release of the study results now enabled Clover Corporation to explore commercialisation opportunities.
Premneo or a placebo emulsion was administered via a nasogastric feeding tube, along with standard treatments for preterm babies. A variety of parameters indicating the health and development of the infants were measured.
Glenn Elliott, Clover’s Director of Innovation & Quality, said preterm infants are deprived of the placental supply of DHA that accumulates in the brain during the last trimester of pregnancy.
“Preterm infants born at less than 29 weeks gestation are at risk of reduced DHA concentration in neural tissues, which may contribute to poorer cognitive outcomes including developmental delay and learning difficulties.”
“They have a mean FSIQ (full scale intelligence quotient) score of approximately 10 points less than full-term children,” Mr Elliott said.
The N3RO study commenced in 2012 with funding support from the National Health and Medical Research Council and product support from Clover Corporation. Clover has invested $1.235M in the project, including DHA product development, professional services and people.
The company’s core business is the manufacture and sale of microencapsulated Omega 3 and 6 oils supplied as ingredients into food, pharmaceutical and infant formula products. Clover released its full-year results on 14 September 2022, delivering a 16.8% sales improvement on the prior year. See
https://www.clovercorp.com.au/en/invest-our- business/asx-announcements/
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