Hauser Rebounding From 2000 Lows

Hauser Rebounding From 2000 Lows

BOULDER, Colo.-- After experiencing some difficult times in2000, Hauser Inc. (OTCBB:HAUS), based here, is rebounding from a year that sawit delisted from NASDAQ and is putting its technical services division on thesales block.

First, on Jan. 29, Hauser announced that it would work with Whitehall-RobinsHealthcare, a division of American Home Products Corp. (NYSE:AHP), to jointlydevelop a new dietary supplement. In a two-year collaboration between thecompanies, they will develop, manufacture and market a product for a conditionand population that have not been made public due to a confidentialityagreement. "We are excited by the prospects for this product in theconsumer market and its potential ability to help Americans better manage theirhealth," said Kenneth Cleveland, president and chief executive officer atHauser. "We are addressing the health concerns of an important populationwith this product, and we are excited by the prospect of collaboration withWhitehall-Robins." According to Hauser, this product will be releasedwithin a year's time.

Whitehall-Robins, which had sales of $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2000, offersproducts that fall into four main categories: analgesics, nutritionals,respiratory remedies and gastrointestinal/topical products. In addition, thecompany is responsible for such products as Advil, Robitussin and Centrum.Hauser's products and services, on the other hand, are principally marketed topharmaceutical, dietary supplement and food ingredient businesses.

Also in late January, Hauser noted it received a patent (#6,132,726) for aprocess that removes impurities from natural product extracts. The companydeveloped the process specifically for removing the fungicide quintozene fromvarious natural product sources. According to the company, the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) has inspected and verified the patented process as aneffective treatment in removing pesticide residues to non-detectable levels inginseng.

"Removing pesticide residue is an important issue for the industry, andwe feel strongly that all companies operating in the dietary supplement marketshould guarantee safe products to the consumer," stated Dean Stull, founderand senior executive vice president of technology at Hauser. He added that thecompany is evaluating licensing opportunities with outside partners interestedin the technology.

For additional information about Hauser, visit www.hauser.com