Hauser Sells Lab Division, Announces Agreements

Hauser Sells Lab Division, Announces Agreements

LONGMONT, Colo.--Hauser Inc. made several announcements in March and April, including the sale of its lab division, a strategic alliance with RFI Ingredients, and the licensing of its paclitaxel property.

First, the Hauser Laboratories division was sold to Microbac Laboratories in Pittsburgh. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hauser originally put the lab division on the block with Oberman Associates in October 2001 in an effort to refocus its core capabilities. According to Hauser, no jobs were lost in the sale.

Second, Hauser and Blauvelt, N.Y.-based RFI announced a "strategic alliance" that involves each company cross-marketing the other's products. RFI (www.rfiingredients.com) is more focused on the functional food arena, with a range of GRAS (generally recognized as safe) ingredients and colors, while Hauser's business focuses on the nutraceutical industry, particularly through its Botanicals International business. Underscoring the deal, Hauser will co-exhibit with RFI at the SupplySide East show in Secaucus, N.J.

Finally, Hauser licensed certain intellectual property and will provide consulting services to Tisorex, a company based in Fort Lee, N.J., that was formed to produce bulk paclitaxel using raw material harvested from Taxus bacata trees. As part of the transaction, Hauser sold certain manufacturing assets to Tisorex and will receive royalties from Tisorex' paclitaxel sales and payment for technical services.

For more information, visit www.hauser.com or Booth #1107 at SupplySide East.