Nestle buys into stem cell supplier for work on nutrition and disease

Nestle has stepped up its scientific approach to links between nutrition and disease by signing up the biotech Cellular Dynamics for the supply of stem cells to the Swiss food giant's new health sciences unit.

Cellular Dynamics International (CDI), a company that was founded by researchers in Wisconsin, US, will partner with the Nestle Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) in the deal.

The Wall Street Journal reports comments from CDI's chief executive that most of the biggest pharmaceutical companies buy its cells, but that Nestle is the first food company to get involved. The newspaper adds that Nestle scientists are "studying the cells for possible applications in obesity, diabetes and Alzheimer's" as well as helping develop products for "ageing consumers".

"The ongoing work and this long-term supply agreement with NIHS demonstrate the utility and broad applicability of our iCell and MyCell Products.

"Our customers already benefit from a reliable supply of human iPSCs and human differentiated cells for their biomedical research and drug discovery. This supply agreement with NIHS adds nutritional research as yet another field that will benefit from CDI's products and expertise."

Bob Palay, chief executive, Cellular Dynamics International.