Nestlé Health Science, a fully owned subsidiary of Nestlé, has agreed to acquire the business of Pamlab, a Covington, LA-based company with an innovative portfolio of medical food products for use under medical supervision in the nutritional management of patients with mild cognitive impairment, depression and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The acquisition further strengthens Nestlé Health Science’s capacity to deliver personalized healthcare to address chronic medical conditions through nutrition, especially in the areas of metabolic health and brain health.

“The acquisition of the Pamlab business is aligned with our strategic ambition to provide science-based nutritional solutions for people with chronic medical conditions. Pamlab will particularly strengthen our brain health platform and provide us an additional foothold in metabolic health in the U.S.,” said Luis Cantarell, Nestlé Health Science president and CEO.

“By leveraging our nutrition heritage and U.S. operations with Pamlab’s proven expertise in medical foods and strong sales force capabilities, together we can play a key role in helping to manage certain chronic diseases and improve the quality of patients’ lives,” he added.

Pamlab’s portfolio of prescription medical food products for use under medical supervision includes Metanx, a key product that is formulated to meet the distinct nutritional requirements of patients with diabetes to help restore the metabolic processes associated with peripheral neuropathy.

This serious condition is common among those with Type 2 diabetes, where the patient’s peripheral blood flow has been compromised and their nerves damaged.

Pamlab also makes Deplin, a medical food specifically formulated to provide necessary nutritional support for certain people on prescribed antidepressant therapy for clinical depression.

Deplin contains l-methylfolate, the active ingredient of folate, to help balance three neurotransmitters associated with mood: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

In addition, the company produces CerefolinNAC, a medical food to help address distinct metabolic nutritional needs associated with mild cognitive impairment.

“We are excited to join forces with Nestlé Health Science, and we share their commitment to personalized nutrition,” said Eric Wingerter, Pamlab president and CEO. “With their support, we will accelerate the development and deployment of our innovative nutritional solutions for people with chronic metabolic and neurologic conditions. We are united by a common purpose, and a common culture, founded on our passion for patients to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Nestlé Health Science’s core business provides nutritional solutions for people with specific dietary needs related to illness or disease states in the area of ageing medical care, critical care and surgery, and paediatric medical care.

The company is also developing new approaches to chronic diseases in the areas of gastrointestinal (GI) health, metabolic health and brain health.

In 2012 Nestlé Health Science agreed to form a 50/50 joint venture named Nutrition Science Partners, Ltd to develop nutritional and medicinal products derived from plants to address gastrointestinal disorders. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Other acquisitions and partnerships include: Prometheus Laboratories, a US firm specialising in diagnostics and licensed specialty pharmaceuticals in GI and oncology; Vitaflo, a provider of clinical nutritional solutions for infants, children and adults with genetic disorders that affect how food is processed by the body; and a minority investment in U.S. firm Accera, specializing in medical foods intended for the clinical dietary management of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.