Nestlé Health Science closes deal on Zenpep®
Lausanne, Switzerland May 11, 2020 – Nestlé Health Science (NHSc) announced today the successful completion of the asset purchase of Zenpep® and Viokace®, expanding NHSc’s portfolio. The businesses were acquired from Allergan.
ZENPEP, available in the United States, is a medication for treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) due to cystic fibrosis or other conditions for people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes. VIOKACE is another pancreatic enzyme preparation available in the United States and Canada.
“The additions of ZENPEP and VIOKACE to our business allow us to provide an even more robust range of products to support people with digestive difficulties,” said Greg Behar, CEO of Nestlé Health Science. “We have solid experience in Cystic Fibrosis, gastrointestinal diseases and other therapeutic areas for ZENPEP and VIOKACE, giving us a good understanding of patients’ needs.”
The business will be managed by Nestlé Health Science US.
“Our business has long history of working directly with healthcare professionals, offering them medical nutrition solutions for their patients in healthcare institutions and homecare settings,” said Anna Mohl, Business Executive Officer of Nestlé Health Science US. “The additions of ZENPEP and VIOKACE now add a new and exciting dimension to that work. We have been preparing for the business throughout the transition, since the deal was announced in January, and are ready to start working with our customers immediately.”
Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.
NHS-0034-050820
For ZENPEP (US Market):
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Zenpep® (pancrelipase) is a combination of porcine-derived lipases, proteases, and amylases indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis, or other conditions.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Warnings and Precautions
Fibrosing Colonopathy
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Fibrosing colonopathy is a rare serious adverse reaction associated with high-dose use of pancreatic enzyme replacement.
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Exercise caution when doses of ZENPEP exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or greater than 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day).
Potential for Irritation to Oral Mucosa
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To avoid irritation of oral mucosa, care should be taken to ensure the ZENPEP capsule or its contents are not crushed, chewed, or retained in the mouth. ZENPEP may be added to a small amount of acidic soft food.
Potential for Risk of Hyperuricemia
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Exercise caution when prescribing ZENPEP to patients with gout, renal impairment or hyperuricemia.
Potential Viral Exposure from the Product Source
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There is theoretical risk of viral transmission with all pancreatic enzyme products, including ZENPEP; however, no cases of transmission of an infectious illness associated with the use of porcine pancreatic extracts have been reported.
Allergic Reactions
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Rarely, severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus have been reported with other pancreatic enzyme products with different formulations of the same active ingredient (pancrelipase).
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Exercise caution when administering pancrelipase to a patient with a known allergy to proteins of porcine origin.
Adverse Reactions
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The most common adverse events (≥6% of patients treated with ZENPEP) were abdominal pain, flatulence, headache, cough, decreased weight, early satiety, and contusion.
Additional Important Safety Information
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ZENPEP is not interchangeable with any other pancrelipase product.
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Dosing should not exceed the recommended maximum dosage set forth by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences Guidelines.
Click here to view full ZENPEP prescribing information
For VIOKACE (US Market):
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Viokace® is a combination of porcine-derived lipases, proteases, and amylases. VIOKACE, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor, is indicated in adults for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
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None.
Warnings and Precautions
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Fibrosing colonopathy is associated with high-dose use of pancreatic enzyme replacement. Exercise caution when doses of VIOKACE exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or greater than 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day).
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To avoid irritation of oral mucosa, do not chew VIOKACE or retain in the mouth.
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Exercise caution when prescribing VIOKACE to patients with gout, renal impairment, or hyperuricemia.
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There is theoretical risk of viral transmission with all pancreatic enzyme products including VIOKACE.
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Exercise caution when administering pancrelipase to a patient with a known allergy to proteins of porcine origin.
Adverse Events
Adverse reactions occurring in at least 2 chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy patients (greater than or equal to 7%) receiving VIOKACE are biliary tract stones and anal pruritus.
Click here to view full VIOKACE prescribing information
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Nestlé Health Science (NHSc), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestlé, is a globally recognized leader in the field of nutritional science. At NHSc we are committed to empowering healthier lives through nutrition for consumers, patients and their healthcare partners. We offer an extensive consumer health portfolio of industry-leading medical nutrition, consumer and VMS brands that are science-based solutions covering all facets of health from prevention, to maintenance, all the way through to treatment. NHSc is redefining the way we approach the management of health in several key areas such as pediatric health, allergy, acute care, oncology, metabolic health, healthy aging, gastrointestinal health, and inborn errors of metabolism. Headquartered in Switzerland, NHSc employs over 5’000 people around the world, who are committed to making a difference in people’s lives, for a healthier today and tomorrow.
Media contact: Jacquelyn.Campo@nestle.com
