NCN: Food, Pharma Investments Blending

SAN DIEGO, Calif.Nutrition Capital Network (NCN) saw evidence of the blurring between food and pharmaceuticals at its recent investor meeting on May 22 to 23 in Washington . Five ingredient development and biotech companies with a focus on food rather than pharmaceutical pathways to market were among the 18 professionally screened companies seeking investment.

This reflects market conditions," said NCN Principal and co-founder Grant Ferrier. The healthy food market has continued to grow faster than the general food market through the recession years of 2009 and 2010. Moreover, growth rates for dietary supplements have exceeded pharmaceutical sales growth for the last five years. In addition, taking the food or nutrition route to market can mean faster commercialization for science-based companies."

The NCN Spring investor Meeting also introduced several larger, consumer-branded companies to investors prior to a potential sell off, including a $25-million natural snack food company. Three other sizable consumer-branded companies with proven market success sought growth capital, including two natural frozen entree and appetizer brands, and a healthy beverage in the probiotic drinks category.

Since the organizations inception in 2007, 252 growth businesses from pre-revenues to $100 million in sales have presented at previous 13 NCN investor meetings, 41 percent of which have found financing or completed a transaction. Investor meetings are typically held three times a year.