Nestle begins talks with Phosphagenics on use of one of its products

Nestle SA, the world's biggest food and drink company, is beginning commercial talks with Australian pharmaceutical company Phosphagenics Ltd. to use one of its products for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome.

Photo: Nestle begins talks with Phosphagenics on use of one of its products

Nestle begins talks with Phosphagenics on use of one of its products

The move underlines the Swiss company's determination to increase its focus on health foods, after its announcement last month that it will buy the medical nutrition unit of pharmaceutical giant Novartis for US$2.5 billion (Ђ1.88 billion).

Nestle Nutrition exercised its option under an existing commercial agreement to use Phospha-E for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome, Phosphagenics said in a statement Friday, reports AP.

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a variety of symptoms including abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure.