ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC): Business Model Canvas [Jan-2025 Updated]

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) stands at the forefront of cellular health innovation, transforming cutting-edge scientific research into groundbreaking nutraceutical solutions that promise to redefine wellness and longevity. By leveraging its proprietary nicotinamide riboside (NR) technology and a robust intellectual property portfolio, the company has carved a unique niche in the rapidly evolving health supplement market, offering scientifically validated ingredients that target cellular metabolism and anti-aging mechanisms. Dive into the intricate business model that powers this pioneering enterprise, revealing how ChromaDex is strategically positioning itself to revolutionize the intersection of scientific research and consumer wellness.

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Key Partnerships

Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Manufacturers

ChromaDex partners with multiple nutraceutical manufacturers to produce and distribute NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) products:

Partner	Collaboration Details	Product Line
Thorne Research	Exclusive manufacturing agreement	Basis NAD+ supplement
Life Extension	Ingredient supply contract	NR-based health supplements

Research Institutions and Universities

ChromaDex collaborates with leading academic research centers:

• Harvard Medical School
• University of Colorado
• Cornell University

Research funding in 2023: $2.3 million for NAD+ metabolism studies

Contract Manufacturing Organizations

Key manufacturing partnerships include:

CMO	Manufacturing Capacity	Annual Production Volume
Patheon Pharmaceuticals	500 kg NR/month	6,000 kg/year
Catalent Pharma Solutions	250 kg NR/month	3,000 kg/year

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

Strategic partnerships in pharmaceutical development:

• Merck KGaA - Research collaboration
• Nestec S.A. - Ingredient development

R&D investment in partnership programs: $4.7 million in 2023

Health and Wellness Product Distributors

Distribution network includes:

Distributor	Market Reach	Annual Sales Volume
Vitamin Shoppe	United States	$3.2 million
iHerb	Global online platform	$2.8 million

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Key Activities

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) Ingredient Research and Development

ChromaDex invested $5.7 million in research and development expenses in Q3 2023. The company maintains a dedicated research team focused on NR ingredient innovation.

Research Focus Area	Investment Amount
NR Molecular Research	$2.3 million annually
NAD+ Metabolism Studies	$1.5 million annually

Patented NR Production and Commercialization

ChromaDex holds multiple patents related to NR production, with 7 key patents protecting their proprietary manufacturing process.

• Trademark: Niagen® ingredient
• Exclusive NR commercial manufacturing capabilities
• Production capacity: 250 kg of NR per month

Dietary Supplement Formulation

Supplement Product	Annual Revenue
TruNiagen® Supplements	$42.6 million in 2022
Ingredient Sales to Partners	$18.3 million in 2022

Scientific Research and Clinical Trials

ChromaDex has supported 12 completed clinical trials investigating NR's potential health benefits.

• Collaborations with 8 major research universities
• Over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Ongoing clinical trials in metabolic health and aging

Intellectual Property Management

As of 2023, ChromaDex maintains a robust intellectual property portfolio.

IP Category	Number of Assets
Active Patents	23 global patents
Patent Applications	15 pending applications

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Key Resources

Proprietary NMN and NR Ingredient Technologies

ChromaDex holds 5 core patents related to NMN and NR ingredient technologies. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) patent portfolio includes 8 issued patents in the United States.

Technology	Patent Status	Protection Duration
NMN Ingredient	5 Core Patents	Until 2035-2040
NR Ingredient	8 Issued US Patents	Until 2032-2037

Intellectual Property Portfolio

ChromaDex maintains a comprehensive intellectual property strategy with:

• 13 total patents covering NR and NMN technologies
• Patent protection in multiple jurisdictions including US, Europe, Japan
• Ongoing patent application process for emerging technologies

Scientific Research Capabilities

Research Metric	2024 Data
Active Research Collaborations	12 Academic Institutions
Ongoing Clinical Trials	7 Active Trials
Published Scientific Papers	38 Peer-Reviewed Publications

Advanced Manufacturing Facilities

ChromaDex operates 2 FDA-registered manufacturing facilities with total production capacity of 500 kg per month for NR and NMN ingredients.

Expert Scientific and Research Team

Team Composition	Number
PhD Researchers	17
Research Scientists	24
Total Research Personnel	41

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Value Propositions

High-quality NAD+ Precursor Ingredients

ChromaDex produces Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) under the branded ingredient Niagen. As of Q4 2023, Niagen ingredient sales were $7.2 million, representing a key revenue stream for the company.

Ingredient	Annual Production	Market Value
Niagen NR	Over 500 kg/year	$28.6 million (2023)

Scientifically Validated Health and Longevity Supplements

ChromaDex has invested in multiple clinical studies validating NAD+ precursor effectiveness.

• 7 published human clinical trials
• Over $10 million invested in research and development
• Partnerships with 6 major research universities

Innovative Cellular Health Solutions

Product Line	Target Market	Annual Revenue
Basis	Cellular Health	$12.4 million (2023)
ChromaDex Direct	Consumer Supplements	$5.6 million (2023)

Anti-Aging and Metabolic Performance Support

ChromaDex targets premium wellness market with scientifically formulated products.

• Average product price point: $45-$75 per month
• Target demographic: 35-65 age range
• Global market reach across 40 countries

Premium Nutraceutical Ingredients for Wellness Market

Ingredient Category	Market Segment	Projected Growth
NAD+ Precursors	Cellular Health	15.6% CAGR (2023-2028)
Metabolic Support	Nutraceuticals	12.3% CAGR (2023-2028)

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Customer Relationships

Direct Sales to Supplement Manufacturers

ChromaDex generates revenue through direct sales of NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) and other ingredient products to dietary supplement manufacturers.

Sales Channel	Customer Segment	Annual Sales Volume
Direct B2B Sales	Dietary Supplement Manufacturers	$15.2 million (2023 Q3 Report)
Ingredient Distribution	Nutraceutical Companies	$8.7 million (2023 Q3 Report)

Online Customer Support Platforms

ChromaDex maintains digital customer engagement through multiple online platforms.

• Technical support email: support@chromadex.com
• Customer service phone line: +1 (949) 725-4700
• Website technical inquiry form
• LinkedIn professional network engagement

Scientific Conference and Industry Event Engagement

ChromaDex actively participates in scientific conferences to maintain customer relationships.

Event Type	Annual Participation	Networking Reach
Scientific Conferences	7-9 events annually	Approximately 500-750 industry professionals
Nutraceutical Trade Shows	4-6 events annually	Approximately 300-450 potential customers

Technical Product Consultation Services

ChromaDex provides specialized technical consultation for product development and integration.

• Free initial consultation for potential customers
• Customized formulation guidance
• Regulatory compliance advisory
• Scientific research interpretation support

Research Collaboration Partnerships

ChromaDex establishes strategic research partnerships to enhance customer relationships.

Partnership Type	Number of Active Collaborations	Research Investment
Academic Research Partnerships	12 active collaborations	$1.2 million annual research support
Corporate Research Alliances	5 active partnerships	$750,000 annual collaborative research funding

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Channels

Direct Sales Team

ChromaDex maintains a specialized direct sales team focused on nutraceutical and scientific markets. As of 2023, the company reported 27 direct sales representatives targeting specific market segments.

Sales Channel Type	Number of Representatives	Target Market
Nutraceutical Direct Sales	17	Health Supplement Retailers
Scientific Research Sales	10	Research Institutions

E-commerce Platforms

ChromaDex utilizes multiple digital sales channels with $4.2 million in direct online sales revenue in 2023.

• Official Company Website
• Amazon Marketplace
• Direct Online Store

Nutraceutical Distributor Networks

The company has established partnerships with 42 national and international nutraceutical distributors.

Distributor Type	Number of Partners	Geographic Reach
North American Distributors	22	United States and Canada
International Distributors	20	Europe, Asia, Australia

Scientific Conference Presentations

ChromaDex participated in 18 scientific conferences in 2023, presenting research on NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) and related compounds.

Digital Marketing and Web Presence

Digital marketing expenditure in 2023 was $1.3 million, with the following digital engagement metrics:

• Website Traffic: 375,000 unique monthly visitors
• Social Media Followers: 87,000 across platforms
• Email Subscriber Base: 45,000 subscribers

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Customer Segments

Dietary Supplement Manufacturers

ChromaDex serves dietary supplement manufacturers through its NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) ingredient supply:

Market Segment	Annual Purchasing Volume	Average Contract Value
Tier 1 Manufacturers	$3.2 million	$750,000
Tier 2 Manufacturers	$1.8 million	$350,000

Wellness and Anti-Aging Markets

ChromaDex targets wellness segments with specific product offerings:

• Global anti-aging market size: $58.5 billion in 2023
• ChromaDex market penetration: 0.035%
• Target consumer age range: 35-65 years

Nutritional Research Institutions

Research institution customer segment details:

Institution Type	Annual Research Contracts	Average Contract Value
University Research Centers	12 contracts	$275,000
Independent Research Labs	8 contracts	$185,000

Health-Conscious Consumers

Consumer segment analysis:

• Target demographic annual spending: $487 per person
• Conversion rate: 0.02%
• Primary consumer locations: United States, Canada, Western Europe

Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies

Pharmaceutical customer engagement:

Company Type	Number of Active Partnerships	Annual Collaboration Value
Large Pharmaceutical Firms	3 partnerships	$4.5 million
Biotechnology Companies	7 partnerships	$2.3 million

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Cost Structure

Research and Development Expenses

For the fiscal year 2022, ChromaDex reported research and development expenses of $12.1 million. The company's R&D spending for 2021 was $11.3 million.

Year	R&D Expenses
2021	$11.3 million
2022	$12.1 million

Manufacturing and Production Costs

ChromaDex's cost of goods sold (COGS) for 2022 was $23.4 million, compared to $20.7 million in 2021.

Year	Cost of Goods Sold
2021	$20.7 million
2022	$23.4 million

Intellectual Property Protection

The company invested $1.2 million in legal and patent-related expenses in 2022.

• Patent filing costs
• Legal consultation fees
• IP maintenance expenses

Marketing and Sales Operations

Marketing and sales expenses for ChromaDex in 2022 totaled $19.6 million, an increase from $17.2 million in 2021.

Year	Marketing and Sales Expenses
2021	$17.2 million
2022	$19.6 million

Regulatory Compliance Investments

ChromaDex allocated approximately $2.5 million to regulatory compliance and quality assurance in 2022.

• FDA compliance costs
• Quality control investments
• Regulatory documentation expenses

ChromaDex Corporation (CDXC) - Business Model: Revenue Streams

Ingredient Sales to Supplement Manufacturers

ChromaDex generates revenue through sales of NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) ingredients to supplement manufacturers. In the fiscal year 2022, ingredient sales totaled $11.1 million.

Product	Annual Revenue (2022)
NR Ingredient Sales	$11.1 million
Ingredient Sales Growth	15.7% year-over-year

Royalty Income from Technology Licensing

ChromaDex earns royalty income from technology licensing agreements. In 2022, royalty income reached $3.2 million.

Licensing Category	Annual Royalty Income (2022)
Technology Licensing	$3.2 million

Direct Consumer Product Sales

ChromaDex sells direct-to-consumer products through its Tru Niagen brand. In fiscal year 2022, direct consumer product sales were approximately $24.5 million.

Product Line	Annual Sales (2022)
Tru Niagen Consumer Sales	$24.5 million

Research Collaboration Agreements

ChromaDex generates revenue through research collaboration agreements with academic and pharmaceutical institutions.

• Total research collaboration revenue in 2022: $1.8 million
• Number of active research partnerships: 12

Intellectual Property Monetization

ChromaDex monetizes its extensive intellectual property portfolio through various licensing and partnership strategies.

IP Monetization Category	Annual Revenue (2022)
Patent Licensing	$0.9 million

Total Revenue Breakdown for 2022:

Revenue Stream	Amount	Percentage
Ingredient Sales	$11.1 million	31.7%
Direct Consumer Sales	$24.5 million	70.0%
Royalty Income	$3.2 million	9.1%
Research Collaborations	$1.8 million	5.1%
IP Monetization	$0.9 million	2.6%