Airborne Acquisition Grows Schiff Nutrition’s Stake in OTC Immune Health

Schiff Nutrition is set to grow its presence in the OTC immune-health market following news that it acquired Airborne Inc. on March 30 for $150 million in cash. Introduced in the 1990s, Airborne products, which are described as a proprietary blend of vitamins (A,C, E) minerals (zinc), and herbals such as Echinacea, have since grown to encompass effervescent tablets, chewable tablets, and on-the-go packets.

“We are excited about the Airborne acquisition, which fits well with our strategy and establishes Schiff as a leader in the immune-support segment,” said Schiff president and CEO Tarang Amin.

Marti Morfitt, Airborne’s CEO, stated, “I am very proud of the work the Airborne team has done over the past three years to re-establish the growth of the brand…”

In 2008, Aiborne reached a $30 million settlement with the FTC, which claimed the company had made deceptive advertising claims that its product could prevent or reduce the risk of colds without supportive scientific evidence.

With the Airborne acquisition, Schiff will continue growing its presence in the OTC immune-health supplements market. Last year, the company paid $40 million for exclusive worldwide rights, in the OTC and dietary supplement space, to Ganeden Biotech’s (Cleveland) GanedenBC30 Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086, probiotic strain, as well as GanedenBC30 retail products Sustenex and Digestive Advantage.