Honolulu biotech startup Cardax Inc., which in the third quarter began sales of its new anti-inflammatory dietary supplement, ZanthoSyn, is going to roll out the product beginning this week in 29 GNC stores in Hawaii.

Since launching ZanthoSyn in August, Cardax has met in Hawaii with more than 80 physicians and other health care professionals who combined treat more than 100,000 patients, many of whom have inflammatory health issues. Astaxanthin, a naturally occurring marine compound, is the active ingredient of ZanthoSyn.

Cardax said offering ZanthoSyn at GNC, a health and wellness retailer, will offer patients another opportunity to purchase the supplement. Cardax says ZanthoSyn is a safe anti-inflammatory for general health, including cardiovascular, metabolic health, joints and the liver.

“We see the convergence of the health and wellness arena with sound science as the future of health care,” Cardax CEO David G. Watumull said. “GNC’s commitment to science-based, physician-friendly consumer health products, its broad retail reach and its knowledgeable sales staff make GNC an ideal retail partner for us.”

Cardax said that once ZanthoSyn is established with physicians in Hawaii, the company plans to expand the product to the mainland.