1. REQUEST # 67758
Prevention of Muscular Decline without Exercise
RESPONSE DUE DATE: November 25, 2011
MANAGER: Kevin Tanaka
SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK
EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com PHONE:+1-216-283-3901
Opportunity
(click buttons above)
Licensing, Contract research, and/or material supply
Timeline
Project start: April 2012
Project completion: within two years (if further development
is required)
Financials
Negotiable
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DESCRIPTION of muscular atrophy, the mechanism by which
NineSigma, representing a multi-billion dollar the ingredient works)
foods manufacturer, invites proposals for  Has research achievements related to
ingredients or advanced research that can mechanisms for maintaining or improving
prevent muscle atrophy without being muscular strength, and has knowledge of
accompanied by exercise. NineSigma’s client is ingredients that are thought to be able to
particularly interested in developing foods that can contribute to suppressing the reduction of
mitigate the reduction of muscular strength caused muscular strength
by aging.
BACKGROUND
Description of the desired ingredients, In general, as one’s age increases beyond 40
technologies or research years, there is increasing muscular atrophy and
 Can act on muscles within the human body to reduction of muscular strength. The client, a global
prevent reduction of muscular strength foods manufacturer, hopes to contribute to solving
(muscular atrophy) without exercise this problem by supplying ingredients, through
 Does not contain ingredients that are harmful foods, that can suppress the reduction of muscular
to the human body, with a strong preference strength.
for products that could be classified as food
(proposals acceptable even if its safety as a It is believed that worldwide research in this field
food has not been verified at the present has considerably progressed and biochemical
time) mechanisms related to human body for this
purpose may have been clarified . Food solutions
Responding individuals or organizations that prevent the reduction of muscular strength
should satisfy at least one of the following would benefit the aged who are bedridden,
requirements: patients on restricted diets, and astronauts.
 Has ingredients that suppress the reduction Believing that desired technologies exist in
of muscular strength and can provide various fields, the client has issued this request.
reasons or evidence why they are believed to
be effective (e.g. data related to suppression
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

2. NineSigma Request # 67758 Prevention of Muscular Decline without Exercise Page 2
POSSIBLE APPROACHES RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
Anticipated approaches include, but are not
necessarily limited to, the following: NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
 Ingredients that suppress muscle atrophy By submitting a Response you represent that the
 Knowledge/technologies related to: Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
○ Suppressing the generation of ingredients any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.
that decompose muscle
Your Response should be an executive summary (about
○ Suppressing the action of ingredients that 3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
decompose muscle technical approach and provide information on
technology performance, background, and description of
APPROACHES THAT ARE NOT OF INTEREST the responding team and their related experience. A
Response Template is available from our website.
The following approaches will not be considered at
the present time: By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that
 Ingredients that strengthen muscle NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right
and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of
 Inclusion of physical exercises the Responses received for this announcement.
NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only
ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
Respondents should submit proposals using the all award amounts.
attached Response Template.
The client will first perform a primary screening RESPONSE EVALUATION
based on written documents. The client will then NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the
ask further direct questions and conduct sample following criteria:
test or direct discussions concerning promising
proposals in order to select candidates who will  Overall scientific and technical merit of the
proceed to the final selection process. proposed approach
 Approach to proof of concept or performance
 Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
During the selection process, the respondent and technology novel or protectable)
the client may sign non disclosure agreements  Economic potential of concept
(NDAs) and discuss information disclosure and  Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
specific development processes.  Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
The client will contact respondents with highly
After the final set of collaboration partners is responsive proposals for next steps.
selected, formal contracts may be signed if all the
conditions for a collaborative framework are met.
ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL
Responses should use the following template
(https://www.myninesigma.com/sites/public/_layout
s/ProposalTemplates/Response_Template_67758.
doc) and include the following items:
 Overview of the proposed ingredients or
technology
 Current development status
 Performance at present time
 Overview of the organization (articles, patents,
etc.)
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com