LUTRY, SWITZERLAND — Nestle Health Science has acquired a stake in Accera, a U.S. company that specializes in the research, development and commercialization of medical foods for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Accera’s main brand is Axona, which is a medical food intended for the clinical dietary management of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. Axona is already on the market and prescribed to up to 30,000 people.

“Our stake in Accera is a strategic step forward in building up our brain health portfolio,” said Luis Cantarell, president and chief executive officer of Nestle Health Science. “Axona is an innovative medical food with a well-understood mode of action and offers the potential for personalized nutrition for Alzheimer’s patients.”

Nestle said the stake in Accera will allow the collection of more extensive clinical data to support existing research into Axona.

“Nestle’s Health Science’s investment will enable us to expand our clinical development program and strengthen our commercial capabilities in the U.S.,” said Holger Kunze, president and c.e.o. of Accera. “Longer term, it will also give us the opportunity to enlarge the geographic footprint of Axona.”