Novartis to buy Semper Clinical Nutrition
Clinical Nutrition, part of the Arla Foods subsidiary Semper and
the second largest medical nutrition business in the Nordic region.
Swiss group Novartis' Medical Nutrition unit is to buy Semper Clinical Nutrition, part of the Arla Foods subsidiary Semper and the second largest medical nutrition business in the Nordic region.
The acquisition follows the success of a strategic alliance established in 2001 between Novartis Medical Nutrition and Semper Clinical Nutrition in Finland and Denmark. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Semper Clinical Nutrition brands such as Komplett Näring, Addera, Acceptera, Resorb and Afi Nutrin, target people with specific diseases, a growing category, and are sold in the nursing home, hospital and pharmacy channels. The business is present in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland.
Michel Gardet, global head of Novartis Medical Nutrition, said: "This acquisition provides an excellent growth platform. It compliments our current product portfolio in the Nordic region and also gives us the potential to further leverage our disease specific product capabilities in Scandinavia."
He added that Semper Clinical Nutrition, which last year generated sales of SK100 million (€11m), had an impressive sales force.
Novartis Medical Nutrition, with global sales of US$715 million in 2002, markets enteral (tube feeding) and oral nutrition products, including supplements, as well as other products administered through tube feeds and specific medical devices. Brands include Isosource, Novasource, Resource, Impact and Compat.
