Switzerland-based Evolva Holding SA plans to acquire its research and development partner, Abunda Nutrition, San Francisco, CA. The companies have collaborated on the development of Abunda’s nutritional ingredients since 2009.

One part of this collaboration, using Evolva’s proprietary technology, succeeded in making the key components of the natural high intensity sweetener stevia via fermentation in yeast. This process bypasses the complex logistics associated with the traditional cultivation, processing and refining of stevia plants, and allows for the production of pure stevia sweetness components.

In addition to stevia, Evolva will obtain full ownership of additional development-stage compounds with relevance in cardiovascular health and other nutrition sectors. Clinical nutrition trials have been conducted on selected compounds.

The boards of both companies have approved the terms of the transaction, which is subject to approval of the required capital increase by Evolva’s shareholders and is expected to close in late Q2 or early Q3 2011.

“We believe the combination with Abunda is strongly value-adding for our shareholders,” said Prof. Erich Schlick, MD, chairman of Evolva’s board of directors. “Abunda brings a unique and highly synergistic combination of IP, a number of exciting product candidates and a highly experienced team with a successful track record in the nutrition industry. This transaction is in line with our strategy to maximize our innovative technology platform by discovering, developing and manufacturing high-value active ingredients to enable novel products for the pharmaceutical, consumer healthcare and nutrition markets.”