Nestlé is in talks with Allergan to acquire Zenpep for the expansion of its medical nutrition business

Nestle is in talks with Allergan to acquire Zenpep for the expansion of its medical nutrition business

(PRESS RELEASE) VEVEY, Switzerland, 28-Jan-2020 — /EuropaWire/ — Nestlé, is in discussion with Allergan, a leading pharmaceutical company, to acquire the gastrointestinal medication Zenpep.

The two companies have already entered into asset purchase agreement which will further Nestle’s medical nutrition business. Upon completing the transaction, Nestlé will have full rights on Zenpep with customary transition from Allergan. 

“Nestlé’s acquisition of Zenpep is a strategic decision that will enhance our growing medical nutrition portfolio,” said Greg Behar, CEO of Nestlé Health Science. “This is a significant opportunity for our business in the United States to add a complementary product to our existing range of nutrition products that support food ingestion, digestion and absorption. We have extensive experience in Zenpep’s therapeutic areas of digestive diseases through our medical nutrition business and will leverage those capabilities as we grow this new business.”

Zenpep is a medication used to treat patients with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency who has difficulty digesting food because their pancreas does not produce enough enzymes. Zenpep contains three kinds of enzymes mainly lipase, protease, and amylase which break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Zenpep is available in the United States.

“Within our medical nutrition business, we work directly with healthcare professionals to educate them about our products that are used in hospitals, home healthcare, and clinics,” said Anna Mohl, Business Executive Officer of Nestlé Health Science USA. “We are excited to leverage our broad capabilities and expand our team to drive rapid growth of this new acquisition. We look forward to welcoming all Zenpep employees who will join our team.”

Nestlé’s acquisition of Zenpep is set to be finalized together with the merger of Allergan and Abbvie, a US biopharmaceutical company. Financial details regarding the acquisition are not being disclosed.

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SOURCE: Nestlé