By Kunal Chan Mehta Article Date: 29th September 2020

FSB’s Deputy CEO, Mr Mohammed Zaidi, has trumpeted Nestlé’s totemic attention to peanut allergy prevention and for adjoining vision-to-value as it acquires Aimmune Therapeutics, the maker of pioneering peanut allergy treatments, in a $2.6 billion deal.

Nestlé estimates that 240 million people worldwide suffer from food allergies, with peanut allergy being the most common.   Each year the number of allergy sufferers increases by 5% with half of all affected being children.

‘Nestlé is patently taking power back from peanuts by adding a promising new dimension to its modus operandi,’ said Mr Mohammed Zaidi, FSB’s Deputy CEO. ‘Those helping to reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions to peanuts in children and teenagers are to be highly commended in my view.’

‘This transaction brings together Nestlé’s nutritional science leadership with one of the most innovative companies in food allergy treatment,’ added Nestlé’s Health Science CEO Greg Behar referencing the Aimmune acquisition. ‘Together, we will be able to create a world leader in food allergy prevention and treatment and offer a wide range of solutions that can transform the lives of people around the world living with food allergies.’

Peanut pill pathway

The acquisition will add to Nestlé’s portfolio, Palforzia – the first FDA approved treatment to reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions to peanuts in children and teenagers.

Palforzia offers a long sought-after solution for peanut-allergic patients other than avoidance and, although not a cure, can protect patients from a life-threatening reaction if accidentally exposed to peanuts.

FSB learns from Nestlé that Palforzia is derived from peanut powder and works by exposing patients to increased doses mixed with other foods.

FSB Marketing/Tom Hermans

Dr John Pomeroy, FSB’s Principal, said: ‘Nestle is to be commended for its bold move that will serve as an example to others. Clearly, the acquisition is a positive step to alleviate a huge problem.’
Looking ahead

Aimmune has an attractive pipeline and is also working on solutions for multi-tree nut and egg allergies. Subsequently, shares of Aimmune skyrocketed 171.6% following Nestlé’s announcement of the acquisition that will be accretive to its organic growth in 2021 and cash earnings by 2022/23.

Mr Syed Zaidi, FSB’s CEO, concluded: ‘The devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pan-business and financial conditions afford for a thoughtful, measured responsible and flexible approach.  Irrefutably, Nestlé must – and, I am sure, will – remain confident in its prospects and steadfast in its mission to improve the lives of people with food allergies.’

Editor’s note: Opinions and quotes belong to, and represent, respective contributors and not FSB.

Read more:

Nestlé Health Science – www.nestlehealthscience.com

Nestlé careers –  www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/careers

Please contact kunal.mehta@fairfield.ac for any questions or comments.