Caffeine and nootropics research for cognition and energy | Food

Private Company

Caffeine and nootropics research for cognition and energy

Background
What we're looking for
What we can offer you
Q&A

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Background

Caffeine use is prevalent worldwide. The underlying motivations are mainly cognitive and physical performance improvement. Nootropics, also referred to as “smart drugs” are a diverse group of medicinal substances whose action improves human thinking, learning, and memory. Research around the interaction and synergistic effects of caffeine and nootropics have been growing at a steady pace, however their exact effects and mechanism of action are unclear. Further understanding of these compounds is warranted to optimize health outcomes as it relates to cognitive and physical performance.

Consumers are actively seeking effective versions of caffeine-like substances and not just significantly increasing caffeine intake. Research investigating caffeine potentiation or natural caffeine alternatives is growing in order to meet these unmet needs of consumers.

What we're looking for

We are seeking tools, collaboration, and subject matter expertise to help understand the effects of caffeine and nootropics on cognitive and energy related outcomes in the context of a caffeinated beverage.

Solutions of interest include:

Consultations/connections with experts/KOL ("key opinion leaders")
A research collaboration with the desired goal of creating a platform/model capable of testing different combinations of nootropics + caffeine to potentiate the effect of caffeine or natural caffeine alternatives with promising efficacy
Novel formulations
Proof of concept development of a cell model and/or relevant biomarkers

Our must-have requirements are:

Solutions must be intended for and appropriate for oral ingestion
Solutions must be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) or have a strong reason to believe they can achieve GRAS designation
Solutions must have at least a clear hypothesis for how they potentiate the effects of caffeine or are capable of replacing caffeine entirely

Our nice-to-have's are:

Solutions should be comprised of nutritional substances but should not consist of solely essential vitamins and minerals. (e.g., Vitamin C, E, Selenium, etc.)
System / model has the flexibility to be adapted to other cognitive and health related outcomes
System / model has demonstrated agreement with the in-vivo effect of caffeine and/or nootropics
Partner would ideally be able to run and execute the model on behalf of the company for specified health related outcomes

What's out of scope:

Animal or animal derived models or systems

Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL):

Levels 1-9

What we can offer you

Eligible partnership models:

Sponsored Research

Funding is proposal dependent, but an accepted proposal could expect support in the range of $25,000-$100,000 USD (milestone dependent) with the potential for follow up funding

Expertise

Partners will interact with a project lead to mutually develop a project plan and engage in regular meetings to ensure success. Partners will have access to company experts as appropriate

Q&A with the company

The Q&A is now closed.

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“Partner would ideally be able to run and execute the model on behalf of the company for specified health related outcomes.” - Is there protection to insure transparency in the science and/or a data use agreement?

Brad Mallard, Corporate Relations, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

October 6, 2023

Yes, there would be an agreement with protection and transparency on the science and data use.

Team Member, Reviewer, Private Company

October 27, 2023

Is this response helpful?

I don't necessarily have a "solution" to propose, but I do have the capability to complete the needed experimental trials and testing method development. Is that something you would be interested in?

Brian Mcfarlin, Principal Investigator, Bioanalysis Center - UNT

November 27, 2023

Yes, we would be interested in the capabilities to run trials and testing method development.

Team Member, Reviewer, Private Company

November 29, 2023

Is this response helpful?

Will the company consider a proposal that involves tools and platforms for the accurate and quantitative measurement of caffeine and nootropic drugs in beverages?

Shahab Shamsi, Principal Investigator, Georgia State University

November 27, 2023

While we are interested in the tools/platforms, we are more focused on the potential for health outcomes rather than the quantification. We have the quantification characteristics already complete.

Team Member, Reviewer, Private Company

November 29, 2023

Is this response helpful?

One of the requirements is to have a solution must be intended for oral ingestion. Can the solution involve intranasal delivery to increase brain bioavailability of a nootropic?

Ruben Dagda, Principal Investigator, University of Nevada Reno

November 13, 2023

Unfortunately, no. The solution needs to be for oral ingestion only.

Team Member, Reviewer, Private Company

November 17, 2023

Is this response helpful?

Will the company consider the use of non-nutritional nootropic peptides that have been deemed safe for consumption?

Ruben Dagda, Principal Investigator, University of Nevada Reno

November 13, 2023

We will absolutely consider these peptides.

Team Member, Reviewer, Private Company

November 17, 2023