Vitaflo

Name

Vitaflo

Legal name

Vitaflo (International) Limited

Website

https://nestlehealthscience.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Vitaflo, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Liverpool UK, manufactures approximately 600 SKUs of specialized medical nutrition products (FSMP) for rare Inborn Errors of Metabolism and disease-specific conditions, serving patients in over 70 countries as a Nestlé Health Science subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialized Medical Nutrition for Inborn Errors of Metabolism

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical Nutrition & Meal Replacement (RTD, Bars, Powders) (CRADAGAN)

Keywords

• Medical nutrition products
• Inborn errors of metabolism
• Clinical nutrition manufacturing
• Prescription dietary formulas
• Specialized metabolic foods

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Specialized Medical Nutrition Products: Vitaflo manufactures and distributes Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) for rare metabolic disorders. Products are prescribed by healthcare professionals and dispensed through pharmacies and hospitals. Revenue is generated through product sales to healthcare systems, NHS, and direct to patients. The company reports approximately CHF 160 million turnover for 2024.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vitaflo develops and manufactures prescription Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) for Inborn Errors of Metabolism and other disease-specific conditions. Its portfolio centers on amino acid-based protein substitutes for disorders such as PKU, MSUD, HCU, TYR, MMA/PA, GA1, IVA, and UCD, complemented by modified cornstarch (Glycosade) for hepatic glycogen storage disease, MCT-based formulations (K.Vita, MCTprocal), ketogenic diet products, pediatric renal nutrition feeds, and disease-related malnutrition products. Products are prescribed by healthcare professionals and dispensed through pharmacies, hospitals, and dispensing doctors in 70+ countries.

Product overview

Vitaflo develops innovative specialized clinical nutrition products for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM), nutrition support, and disease-specific conditions. The portfolio includes protein substitutes for Phenylketonuria (PKU start, PKU explore, PKU squeezie, PKU express, PKU express plus, PKU cooler, PKU air, PKU sphere), Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD range), Homocystinuria (HCU range), Tyrosinemia (TYR range), Methylmalonic Acidaemia/Propionic Acidaemia (MMA/PA range), Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 (GA1 range), Isovaleric Acidaemia (IVA), and Urea Cycle Disorders (UCD). Additional products address Disorders of Fat Metabolism (Lipistart, MCTprocal), Hepatic Glycogen Storage Disease (Glycosade), Ketogenic Diet (K.Flo, K.Yo, K.Quik), Paediatric Kidney Disease (Renastart, Renastep), and Nutrition Support (Pro-Cal shot/powder, Vitajoule, Preload). Support products include Fruitivits, Flavourpac, Basecal, Low Protein Foods, Single Dose Amino Acids, Emergency Regimens, and LCP Supplements. K.Vita addresses drug-resistant epilepsy. The company also acquired Comidamed (powdered protein substitutes in tins) and Mevalia (low protein foods) portfolios in 2021. Vitaflo offers the Vitaflo To You home delivery service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Comidamed: A range of powdered protein substitutes available in tins, suitable from birth for 8 different Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMs).
• PKU start
• PKU explore
• PKU squeezie
• PKU express
• PKU cooler
• PKU sphere
• Glycosade
• Renastep
• Pro-Cal
• MCTprocal
• K.Yo
• K.Vita

Products and services

• PKU start Powdered formula for the dietary management of Phenylketonuria (PKU) from birth.
• PKU explore Easily mixed with water to form a semi-solid consistency protein substitute, given off the spoon, keeping parents in control of intake.
• PKU squeezie Ready-to-use protein substitute for Phenylketonuria (PKU) dietary management.
• PKU express Protein substitute for Phenylketonuria (PKU) dietary management.
• PKU express plus Enhanced protein substitute formulation for Phenylketonuria (PKU) dietary management.
• PKU cooler Ready-to-drink protein substitute for Phenylketonuria (PKU), available in 3 different pack sizes designed to grow with children into adulthood.
• PKU sphere GMP-based, low-phe, pre-measured powder with enhanced palatability that encourages adherence in PKU management.
• PKU air The lowest-calorie ready-to-drink protein substitute for PKU, designed to support weight management.
• PKU sphere 20 liquid Liquid formulation of PKU sphere for Phenylketonuria dietary management.
• MSUD explore Protein substitute for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) dietary management.
• MSUD cooler Ready-to-drink protein substitute for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) dietary management.
• MSUD express Protein substitute for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) dietary management.
• HCU explore / HCU cooler / HCU express range Protein substitute product range for Homocystinuria (HCU) dietary management.
• TYR explore / TYR cooler / TYR express range Protein substitute product range for Tyrosinemia (TYR) dietary management.
• MMA/PA explore / MMA/PA cooler / MMA/PA express range Protein substitute product range for Methylmalonic Acidaemia/Propionic Acidaemia (MMA/PA) dietary management.
• GA1 explore Protein substitute for Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 (GA1) dietary management.
• GA1 express Protein substitute for Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 (GA1) dietary management.
• IVA explore Protein substitute for Isovaleric Acidaemia (IVA) dietary management.
• UCD explore Protein substitute for Urea Cycle Disorders (UCD) dietary management.
• Lipistart Product for Disorders of Fat Metabolism.
• MCTprocal MCT-based product for disorders of fat metabolism and nutrition support.
• Glycosade Modified cornstarch for use in the dietary management of Hepatic Glycogen Storage Disease, suitable from 2 years of age.
• K.Vita An alternative dietary management option for drug resistant epilepsy in adults and children from 3 years of age. A special blend of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) with an 80:20 split of decanoic acid (C10) and octanoic acid (C8), strawberry flavour, 30 x 120ml packsize.
• K.Flo Ketogenic diet product.
• K.Yo A unique, ready-to-eat, palatable semi-solid food for use in the ketogenic diet.
• K.Quik Ketogenic diet support product.
• Pro-Cal shot Nutrition support product for disease-related malnutrition.
• Pro-Cal powder Powdered nutrition support product for disease-related malnutrition.
• Vitajoule Nutrition support product for disease-related malnutrition.
• Preload Product for enhanced recovery after surgery.
• Renastart Product for paediatric kidney disease.
• Renastep The only ready-to-use feed specifically designed for children aged 3 years onwards with kidney disease.
• Comidamed A range of powdered protein substitutes available in tins, suitable from birth for 8 different Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMs). Acquired from the Comida portfolio in 2021.
• Mevalia Acquired portfolio of low-protein food products for metabolic disorder management.
• Fruitivits Vitamin and mineral supplement product for metabolic disorders.
• Flavourpac Flavouring product for metabolic nutrition products.
• Basecal Calcium base supplement product.
• Low Protein Foods range Range of low protein food products for metabolic disorder management.
• Single Dose Amino Acids Single dose amino acid products for protein metabolism disorders.
• Emergency Regimens Emergency regimen products for metabolic disorders.
• LCP Supplements Long chain fatty acid supplements.
• Vitaflo To You Home delivery service for prescribed Vitaflo products, providing regular deliveries to registered patients with named-day delivery options including Saturday.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products distributed to patients in over 70 countries

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance Healthcare UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 November 2023Solus supply agreement for distribution of Vitaflo International Ltd products to all pharmacies, hospitals, and dispensing doctors in the UK. Alliance Healthcare provides same day or next day delivery service depending on product. This partnership replaced previous distribution arrangements and represents the primary UK distribution channel.
• Flexible Plastic FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVitaflo is a sponsor of the Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF), working with brands including Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars, Mondelez, and Unilever. The initiative supports collection and recycling of flexible plastics, including participation in FlexCollect pilot for kerbside collection of soft plastics. This sustainability partnership aims to improve packaging recyclability and reduce environmental impact.
• Sefton CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal sustainability partnership involving tree planting, wildflower meadow seed planting, and beach cleans as part of Vitaflo's community engagement and volunteering activities around its Liverpool UK headquarters.
• South Liverpool Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing food bank collection at Vitaflo HQ and volunteering opportunities. The company also regularly donates short shelf-life food to the Whitechapel Centre.
• Sefton Council (Clothesbank Partnership)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVitaflo has launched a clothes bank at its Liverpool HQ with proceeds going to the Whitechapel Centre (local homelessness charity).
• Nestlé Health SciencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVitaflo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestlé UK and part of Nestlé Health Science. The company operates under Nestlé's global policies and processes while maintaining largely separate operations and supply chains. Vitaflo leverages Nestlé policies with suppliers and co-manufacturers where appropriate and utilizes Nestlé-owned production facilities in Switzerland, Spain, and the USA.
• Unseen (UK Anti-Slavery Charity)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNestlé's partnership with Unseen provides interactive training using virtual reality headsets to educate employees about forced labour risks. Vitaflo will explore the possibility of receiving employee training direct from Unseen in the future as part of their modern slavery awareness program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nutricia (Danone): Nutricia is the global market leader in metabolic disorder nutrition, offering direct competitors to Vitaflo across PKU, MSUD, and other IEMs through brands like Lophlex, PKU Anamix, and Milupa. Both companies compete head-to-head for HCP prescriptions and hospital formularies in the FSMP category.
• Cambrooke Therapeutics (Ajinomoto): Cambrooke is a US-focused direct competitor in PKU and IEM nutrition, now owned by Ajinomoto. It offers comparable protein substitutes and low-protein foods, competing for the same HCP and patient prescription channel as Vitaflo, particularly in North America.
• Dr. Schär: Dr. Schär specializes in low-protein and gluten-free foods for special diets, including the Mevalia brand that Vitaflo acquired in 2021. The remaining Dr. Schär portfolio continues to compete in low-protein and metabolic-friendly foods across European markets.

Broad incumbents

• Abbott Nutrition: Abbott is a global nutrition giant offering metabolic disorder products (e.g., Phenyl-Free, MSUD Maxamaid) alongside its broader pediatric, adult, and enteral nutrition portfolios. It competes with Vitaflo in IEM nutrition as part of a much wider healthcare nutrition business.
• Nestlé Health Science: Nestlé Health Science is Vitaflo's parent and the broader medical nutrition division of Nestlé, encompassing brands like Peptamen, Modulen, Compleat, and Alfamino. It is comparable as the overarching specialty nutrition platform under which Vitaflo operates and through which it gains global distribution.
• Mead Johnson Nutrition (Reckitt): Mead Johnson, now part of Reckitt, is a global infant and child nutrition company offering metabolic and specialty formulas. It competes with Vitaflo in pediatric IEM and ketogenic diet nutrition within a broader infant formula business.

Emerging players

• BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin markets pegvaliase (Palynziq) and sapropterin (Kuvan) for PKU, representing a pharmacotherapy alternative to lifelong dietary management. While not a direct nutrition competitor, BioMarin competes for the same PKU patient population and could disrupt Vitaflo's core market.
• Recordati Rare Diseases: Recordati Rare Diseases provides metabolic and endocrinology specialty treatments, including products that overlap with Vitaflo's rare disease focus. Both companies target small patient populations with high-touch HCP engagement and prescription-based delivery.
• Galen Medical: Galen Medical supplies specialized enteral feeds, oral nutritional supplements, and medical foods for disease-related malnutrition. It overlaps with Vitaflo's disease-related malnutrition segment (e.g., Pro-Cal range) in the UK and Ireland prescription market.

Regional players

• Applied Nutrition: Applied Nutrition is a UK-based sports and clinical nutrition brand offering protein and meal replacement products that intersect with the broader medical nutrition category. While primarily consumer-facing, it operates in adjacent nutritional formulation territory to Vitaflo's product types.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nestle-health-science-uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vitaflo