The Collett Pharma shares will be taken over from Ferd Private Equity Fund (FPEF), which bought the company from Nycomed Pharma eighteen months ago. FPEF has also taken over Pronova Biocare from Norsk Hydro. As part of the transaction, Orkla will take over Pronova's European consumer business.

 

Collett Pharma has 49 employees, 40 of whom are in Norway. Operating revenues are expected to be around NOK 350 million in 2005. The company has achieved good growth in recent years.

 

"As an overall strategic priority, Orkla has chosen to increase its focus on health and nutrition. Collett Pharma and Peter Möller will provide the basis for Orkla's further expansion within health-related consumer products. We have now established a Nordic platform in this sector and have ambitions for continued growth and development," says Executive Vice President Roar Engeland.

 

Collett Pharma has a broad portfolio of health-related consumer products, and markets and distributes products such as vitamins, minerals, natural remedies, slimming products, cod liver oil and omega-3 products. Well-known brands in the portfolio include Collett, Sanasol, Triomega, Picasol, Gerimax, Nutrilett and Dr. Fedon Lindberg's products. These products are distributed throughout the Nordic region and sold through grocery stores, health food stores and pharmacies.