Diverse portfolio demonstrates a focus on brand leadership, innovation, and scientific advancement.

Number of Employees: Approximately 5,400

Key Personnel:

2022 Revenue: $4.5 Billion in Net Sales (including pharmaceuticals business)

Company Description/Mission: “At Nestlé Health Science, we believe that nutrition, science, and wellness must merge, not collide. Here, we embrace the intrinsic connections of these three pillars, harnessing their collective strength to empower healthier lives.”

Portfolio: The company’s three business units include Active and Medical Nutrition; Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbal Supplements; and Pharmaceutical Therapies. Some of its top brands include BOOST, Carnation Breakfast Essentials, Garden of Life, Pure Encapsulations, Nature’s Bounty, Solgar, Nuun, Orgain and Vital Proteins. Others include Klean Athlete, Persona, Puritan’s Pride, Sundown, Osteo Bi-Flex, and Douglas Laboratories, among others.

A division of the largest food and beverage company in the world, Nestlé Health Science (NHSc) has been active in the dietary supplement market with several high-profile acquisitions in recent years.

Back in 2017 the company acquired Atrium Innovations for $2.3 billion, which included the Garden of Life brand as well as Douglas Laboratories, Klean Athlete, Wobenzym, and others.

More recently, NHSc acquired a majority stake in Vital Proteins in 2020 and brought the company completely under its umbrella in 2022. NHSc acquired core brands of The Bountiful Company for $5.75 billion in 2021. That transaction included Nature’s Bounty, Solgar, Osteo Bi-Flex, and Puritan’s Pride as well as the company’s U.S. private label business. Also in 2021, NHSc acquired Nuun and its range of hydration products.

Then in 2022 NHSc acquired a majority stake in Orgain from founder Dr. Andrew Abraham and Butterfly Equity, who have stayed on to be minority share owners. The agreement included the option for NHSc to fully acquire Orgain in 2024.

Aiming to strengthen its health and nutrition portfolio in New Zealand, NHSc reached a deal last year to acquire The Better Health Company, including the GO Healthy brand, a leading supplement brand in New Zealand; New Zealand Health Manufacturing, an Auckland-based VMS manufacturing facility; and the Manuka honey brand Egmont.

“Under one Nestlé Health Science umbrella, brands are better able to identify white space in the market and opportunities for growth,” Don Kerrigan said of the company’s acquisition strategy. Before being named CEO of NHSc U.S. in 2021, Kerrigan was president of North America at The Bountiful Company, leading the company’s marketing, sales, and e-commerce strategies.

“We can expect future collaborations from brands within our portfolio to take a more holistic approach to wellness: personalized and tailored to consumers’ needs,” he added. “With our model, acquired brands are able to leverage the breadth of expertise and capability of Nestlé Health Science, while still maintaining the unique authenticity, positioning, and identity of their brand.”

Toward the end of 2022, NHSc sold AquaCap, which specializes in the contract manufacturing of liquid-filled capsules, to Vantage Nutrition, which is owned by ACG.

“In 2023, we advanced our operating model for future growth and success by aligning our brands and facilitating consistency across the organization,” said Kerrigan. “This new operating model enables us to focus on developing nutrition solutions rooted in science to improve the wellbeing of individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is to break traditional boundaries and drive transformative progress in the health sector through nutrition. We emphasize accessibility to nutrition, education, innovation, and community responsibility as pillars of our approach.”

Growth Assessments

In a dynamic and evolving marketplace, NHSc is intent on “staying at the forefront of advancements,” said Kerrigan. “Our dedication to providing a wide range of products that cater to diverse nutritional needs and health profiles is a source of great pride for us.”

He noted that Nature’s Bounty magnesium products are currently outpacing overall growth in the segment. “Additionally, Garden of Life continues to dominate the probiotics market, as consumers recognize the vital role a healthy gut plays in overall wellbeing.”

The Active & Medical Nutrition business at NHSc has experienced significant growth, according to the company. “From children with cow’s milk protein allergies to cancer patients seeking additional nutrition support, we are dedicated to providing tailored solutions that can make a meaningful difference,” Kerrigan said.

Since its acquisition, Vital Proteins has experienced a significant expansion in the collagen category, solidifying its position as the leading player in the market, Kerrigan noted. Vital Proteins gained B Corp certification in 2022.

“The brand’s integration into the Nestlé Health Science family has resulted in a remarkable gain of 3.5 share points YTD (MULO-C, Natural Grocery, and Amazon). We are excited about the future and the continued growth and success of Vital Proteins and all brands under the Nestlé Health Science umbrella.”

Sustainability

Along with Vital Proteins, several other NHSc brands are Certified B Corps, including Orgain (March 2023), Nuun (2021), and Garden of Life (2015).

“As we advance our sustainability journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to evaluating our progress, holding ourselves accountable, and continuously striving for more,” said Kerrigan. “Achieving B Corp certification for our brands is just one of the many ways that Nestlé Health Science U.S. is actively working to make a positive impact.”  The company intends to certify more of its brands, he added.

Company wide, recent sustainability initiatives, according to Kerrigan, include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sourcing ingredients with high nutritional value and minimal environmental impact, minimizing the use of virgin plastic, and striving to make all packaging recyclable.

“As part of our ESG approach, we prioritize various aspects ranging from community impact to sustainability to the well-being of our employees. We strongly believe in the transformative power of community engagement. By forging partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and other stakeholders, we create a support network that enables people to lead healthier lives. Whether through participating in community events or collaborating with local officials, we address the need for improved nutrition and foster the growth of thriving communities.”

Inclusivity is also a core value for NHSc, he added, within its workplace as well as communities and society at large. “We strive to create an environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued. We firmly believe that our company flourishes when our people do, and thus, we empower every team member to bring their authentic selves to work.”

Getting Personal

Moving forward, Kerrigan said NHSc sees “tremendous opportunity” in the personalized nutrition market.

“We embrace the challenge of staying at the forefront of scientific advancements while also catering to the personal needs of our consumers, as we recognize that nutrition is a dynamic field and that solutions are unique to each person. There will be more news to share on these efforts in the coming months.”

In June, NHSc announced a joint initiative with The Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School at Tufts University designed to accelerate innovation in longevity and healthy aging. With emphasis on cognitive, gut, and metabolic health, the initiative calls on startups to join an open competition aimed at advancing science and helping participants drive their businesses forward. Winners will receive mentorship, strategy, and technical support from both NHSc and Tufts University experts and leaders in their fields.

“Nestlé Health Science is committed to leading nutrition innovation and shaping the future of health,” said Kerrigan. “We understand that nutrition is constantly evolving and we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of scientific advancements. We aim to make nutrition a cornerstone of overall health and provide accessible solutions that optimize wellbeing. Through ongoing research and collaborations, we will develop innovative products and services that cater to individual needs. We are determined to drive positive change in the field of nutrition and make a lasting impact for consumers and patients.”