Neptune Technologies and Marine Life Sciences enter worldwide distribution alliance with Weider Global Nutrition
<<
--First market launch for Neptune Technologies
in FUNCTIONAL FOOD market--
>>
LAVAL, QC, Sept. 25 /CNW Telbec/ - Neptune Technologies &
Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune") (NASDAQ.NEPT - TSX.V.NTB) reported today that
it entered a worldwide alliance with Marine Life Sciences who has entered into
an agreement with Weider Global Nutrition for the distribution of dietary
supplements and functional food products in the global nutraceutical market.
Neptune has developed in collaboration with Salt Lake City-based Marine
Life Sciences functional custom-built combinations of proprietary marine
ingredients, to be commercialized under the trademark APO3(TM). APO3(TM)
contains Neptune Krill Oil (NKO(R)) and Alpha-3 CMP(tm), a concentrated marine
algae phytoplankton, and will be commercialized as a dietary supplement and as
a functional ingredient in a new functional food product line. Weider Global
Nutrition, credited as the founder of the sports nutrition market and
recognized through its magazines with 38 million readers worldwide, is
pursuing the initial launch through the Food, Drug, Mass and Club channels.
Only for the U.S., the dietary supplement market is estimated at
US$22.5 billion and the functional food market at US$31.4 billion.(1)
"The launch of Neptune's first functional food product in the market
constitutes a major achievement of a critical milestone in the Company's
functional food research and development program. This alliance adds
strategically to our recent alliances anounced during the last fiscal quarter
and puts the Company ahead of schedule for its functional food market
entrance," said Dr. Tina Sampalis, Chief Scientific Officer of Neptune. "It is
extremely exciting to have created in collaboration with our partners the
first functional food product containing in one serving all the vital
nutrients of the base food chain with clinically proven ingredients at
therapeutic doses," she added.
The combination of Neptune Krill Oil, a krill zooplankton, with Alpha-3,
an algae phytoplankton, provides consumers with the first and only total
plankton extract (APO3(TM)) in the functional food and dietary supplement
markets. Therefore APO3(TM) sets a new standard in the premium nutraceutical
market. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) functionalized on phospholipids combined with potent
antioxidants and minerals work in synergy offering significant health and
athletic performance benefits.
"We are very excited to be the exclusive provider of APO3(TM), the NKO(R)
and Alpha-3 CMP(tm) formulation, and entering the market with products
containing ingredients which are clinically proven to target major consumer
health concerns," said Mr. Bill Robbs, Executive Vice President, Sales and
Marketing of Marine Life Sciences. "We believe that combining the best marine
bioactive ingredients will synergistically enhance the benefits of existing
formulations and future products, making the Weider family of products better
than any other products in the market and deliver significant consumer health
benefits," he added.
"We are fortunate to be partners in bringing to market, what we feel, is
the most significant addition to the nutrition category since Glucosamine and
Chondroitin over 12-years ago," states Lyndon Johnson, Executive Vice
President, Sales and Marketing of Weider Global Nutrition. Mr. Johnson also
states, "We will selectively launch our products in the
Vitamins-Minerals-Supplements Category for the Food, Drug, Mass and Club
channels, a U.S. market estimated at US$14.5 billion, and the Functional Food
Category, where we will support both Branded and Store Brands from day one."
"We are pleased to partner with a company such as Marine Life Sciences
which shares our values and dedication for developing innovative, safe and
effective products meeting rigorous quality standards. Weider is a partner of
choice for Marine Life Sciences and Neptune, because of its leadership
position in the health and fitness industry with brand recognition and
impeccable reputation in more than 120 countries," said Dr. Toni Rinow,
Corporate Development and Investor Relations of Neptune.
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.
(1) NBJ 2006 Industry Report
About Neptune
Neptune researches and develops proprietary bioactive ingredients and
products for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications and is carrying out
clinical research to show the therapeutic benefits in various medical
indications. The Company patents and protects its innovations and continuously
expands its intellectual property portfolio. Neptune has already obtained many
regulatory approvals allowing commercialization of its products in various
geographic markets and has filed for and is expecting additional approvals.
Neptune continues to strongly support its strategic development plan to form
partnership with worldwide leaders in the nutraceutical industries. Neptune
signed agreements with Nestlé and Yoplait, worldwide leading food
manufacturers, and paved its entrance into the global functional food market.
