NKO into another US national retailer:
LAVAL, QC, Sept. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Neptune Technologies & Bioressources
Inc. ("Neptune") (NASDAQ.NEPT - TSX.V.NTB) reported today that its distributor
Schiff Nutrition International Inc. has launched Schiff(R) MegaRed(TM)
containing Neptune Krill Oil (NKO(R)) in Walgreens, which represents the
largest retail pharmacy chain in the United States with over 6,400 drug stores
nationwide. Schiff(R) MegaRed(TM) has been made available at all locations.
Walgreens, founded in 1901, is considered the leader in innovative
drugstore retailing setting new standards in the industry with its modern
store and pharmacy features. Walgreens reported fiscal year 2007 revenues of
over $53 billion and is serving 5 million customers daily chainwide. Walgreens
reports that it expects to operate more than 7,000 stores in 2010(1).
"We continue to execute on our expansion strategy to seek strong
penetration in mass retail channels, and now with distribution in Costco and
Walgreens, the consumer mass market represents a fast growing sales segment
for Neptune driven by brand recognition and consumer acceptance. Neptune Krill
Oil's unique composition of proprietary bioactive ingredients of
functionalized phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids and powerful anti-oxidants
enables the positioning of NKO(R) as a premium product in the marketplace,"
stated Thierry Houillon, Vice-President, Nutraceutical of Neptune.
"Premium products within the worldwide marine omega-3 market such as
Neptune Krill Oil are gaining major market share driven by consumer demand for
natural health and wellness products with proven therapeutic benefits. The
high-end omega-3 market is growing at an annual rate of between 20 and
30 percent. This trend will provide the Company, as a recognized innovator and
market leader, with an opportunity to generate high sales growth of its
products which enforces the Company's strategic plan to expand productivity
and capacity by rapidly completing the in-house capacity expansion program and
by also partnering with a strategic industrial manufacturing company within
the short term for substantial additional capacity," added Mr. Thierry
Houillon.
NKO(R) is a proprietary phospholipid omega-3 composition extracted from
Antarctic Krill and patented for its extraction process, composition and for
its medicinal use. NKO(R)'s safety and health benefits have been demonstrated
by clinical studies in hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), premenstrual
syndroms, inflammation and arthritic disease. The development of several
functional food product lines as well as pharmaceutical product opportunities
for three pharmaceutical markets including the over-the-counter, the
prescription medical food and prescription drug market are currently underway.
