1 - Probiomics Ltd and Nestlé execute global license agreement for probiotic use in infant nutrition
15 October 2007. Probiomics Ltd and Nestlé Nutrition, a unit of Nestlé SA, have agreed to co-develop infant and child nutrition products offering immune system benefits to infants and children.
Improving the immune systems of infants and children will help protect the infants and children from infections and allergies; very common ailments. Nestlé and Probiomics believe that probiotics, and in particular Probiomics’ proprietary L. fermentum strain – a beneficial bacteria which occurs naturally in the gastro-intestinal tract – offer an exciting option for improving the immune systems of infants and children. Probiomics currently markets the probiotic under the PCC brand.
The collaboration with Probiomics is part of the Nestlé Nutrition commitment to invest in cutting-edge science that can enable it to launch innovative products and services which provide consumers with clear and tangible benefits.
2- Nestlé completes acquisition of Gerber
Vevey, 1 September 2007 - We are pleased to inform you that Nestlé has completed the acquisition of the Gerber Products Company announced in April 2007. We will now start the integration of Gerber into the Infant Nutrition business unit of Nestlé Nutrition
To learn more about Gerber, please visit: www.gerber.com
For more information on this transaction, please visit: www.nestle.com
3 - Nestlé completes acquisition of Novartis Medical Nutrition
02 July 2007 - We are pleased to inform you that Nestlé has received the regulatory approvals required to complete the acquisition of the Novartis Medical Nutrition business. We will now start the process of integrating the Novartis Medical Nutrition business into the HealthCare Nutrition business unit of Nestlé Nutrition.
To learn about Novartis Medical Nutrition, please visit: http://www.novartisnutrition.com/Intl/.
For more information on this transaction, please visit: www.nestle.com
4 - Nestlé to acquire GERBER, consolidating its Leadership in Nutrition
Vevey, 12 April 2007 - As part of the continuing drive to reinforce its leadership in nutrition, Nestlé has agreed to acquire Gerber, the iconic US baby food brand, from Novartis for a total amount of USD 5.5 billion. The moue gives Nestlé the number one position in the world's largest single baby food market, the USA, and clearly establishes Nestlé Nutrition as the global leader in this sector. With this acquisition, Nestlé Nutrition will aise leverage its existing strong core business in North America, giving the company significant scale in infant, healthcare and performance nutrition with a dedicated and focused sales force.
With net proceeds of sales for 2007 estimated at USD 1.95 billion, Gerber is among the most trusted US brands - recognized by virtually ail mothers in the USA - and, furthermore, enjoys strong positions in Mexico, Poland and Central America. Gerber is also a provider of baby care products and juvenile lite insurance in the US. The company has enjoyed good growth in recent years and, as a result of expected cost synergies, further improvement of operational margins is expected.
The acquisition of Gerber, which cornes in the wake of the Jenny Craig and Novartis Medical Nutrition purchases, will transform Nestlé Nutrition into a business approaching CHF 10 billion in sales with an enhanced critical mass and access to the Group's global R&D network to drive innovation.
The transaction, which is expected to be completed during the second half of 2007, is subject to regulatory approval.
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman and CEC) of Nestlé, said: "The acquisition of Gerber is the perfect complementary fit. It not only gives Nestlé the leadership position in baby food, but it also constitutes a decisive step ta establish Nestlé Nutrition as the undisputed global leader in the nutrition field, with annual sales of around CHF 10 billion, covering all important sectors: infant formula, baby food, medical nutrition, weight management and performance nutrition. This is a major step in the transformational journey of Nestlé toward a Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company. It is my great pleasure to welcome the employees of Gerber to the Nestlé Group."
5- BLIS Technologies Ltd and Nestlé Nutrition agree to work on Probiotics for infant nutrition products
Dunedin (New Zealand) and Vevey (Switzerland), 28 March 2007 - New Zealand biotechnology company BLIS Technologies and Nestlé Nutrition, a unit of Nestlé SA, have agreed to carry out research and development of BLIS probiotics for use in infant nutrition products and targeting upper respiratory tract infections.
Upper respiratory tract infections are very common in infants and there are no effective methods of preventing or reducing the risk of these infections. Scientific evidence suggests that the BLIS Technologies' probiotics - beneficial bacteria which occur naturally in the upper respiratory tract and which have "built-in" defences against pathogenic or disease causing bacteria - can boost infants' immune systems and may prevent upper respiratory tract infections. Nestlé Nutrition and BLIS Technologies will work exclusively together to incorporate these probiotics into infant nutrition products and provide clinical evidence of their effectiveness
Under the terms of the agreement, Nestlé Nutrition will fund BLIS Technologies' research efforts in this area through a series of milestone and R&D expense payments. BLIS Technologies will be responsible for development of probiotics suitable for incorporation into infant nutrition products and supplying the probiotics for clinical trial purposes. Nestlé Nutrition will be responsible for clinical studies. Nestlé Nutrition will commercialise the probiotics under licence as part of its range of infant nutrition products.
For BLIS Technologies, this agreement is a major step. If the project proceeds according to plan, the company will commit significant resources to the development over the next three years. This will enable the company to build a platform of probiotics with significant market opportunities.
The collaboration with BLIS Technologies is part of the Nestlé Nutrition commitment to invest in cutting-edge science that can enable it to launch innovative products and services with clear consumer benefits.