The health science arm of Nestlé SA will pay $98 million (€87.1 million) to raise its stake in Aimmune Therapeutics Inc, the drug developer said, as it prepares to submit a marketing application for its peanut allergy drug by the end of the year.
The deal raises Nestlé's stake to about 19% from 14.5% as of 26 February, and its total investment in Aimmune to $273 million.
The companies also extended their two-year strategic pact to develop therapies for food allergies by another two years, Aimmune said on Monday.
Long-Term Investment
"Some investors were worried that Nestlé might sell their original equity investment in Aimmune. However, to us, this suggests Nestlé views investment in Aimmune as long-term," Wedbush Securities analyst Liana Moussatos said.
In the United States, there is no approved treatment for peanut allergies, a medical condition that is becoming increasingly common and could be fatal.
Analysts see huge opportunity for Aimmune's oral drug, AR101, which could be one of the first to be made available to patients desperate for treatment options.
Combined with the company's $255 million in cash as of 30 September, the investment by Nestlé finances Aimmune "well beyond" the anticipated approval and launch of the drug in the United States, Chief Executive Officer Jayson Dallas said.
Shift Of Focus
As packaged food sales slow amid changing tastes, Nestlé has been trying to become a "nutrition, health and wellness" company, with its unit, Nestlé Health Science, playing a pivotal role.
The unit invested $145 million in Aimmune in 2016, followed by $30 million as part of the company's public offering in February 2018.
Aimmune said Nestlé Health Science Chief Executive Officer Greg Behar will continue as a director on its board.
Nestlé's per share price of $30.27 is slightly below Aimmune's close on Friday at $30.29. The companies expect to close the equity investment by the end of 2018.
Shares of Brisbane, California-based Aimmune were trading up 1% at $30.55 in early trading.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
