Meta Healthcare Signs Exclusive US Distribution Agreement with ZOIA Healthcare for MSUD Medical Nutrition Products

Meta Healthcare, a Sci-Tech Daresbury-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company  focused on developing and commercialising specialized products for rare and metabolic disorders, today announced the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement with ZOIA Healthcare, Inc. (ZOIA) a Pentec company for the commercialisation and distribution of it’s Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) Ready To Use (RTU) medical nutrition portfolio in the United States.

Under the terms of the agreement, ZOIA will be responsible for the distribution, market access support and customer service activities related to Meta Healthcare’s range of MSUD-specific RTU medical nutrition products throughout the US market. The agreement marks the first U.S. availability of these specialized nutritional products and expands access for individuals living with MSUD through ZOIA’s comprehensive patient access, fulfilment, reimbursement, and support services.

A recent UK observational study, at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, evaluating the RTU formulations in paediatric patients with classical MSUD found that the products were well tolerated, highly accepted by patients and caregivers, and associated with improved palatability and adherence. All participants requested to remain on the RTU formulations following the study. The study also demonstrated reductions in plasma leucine levels during treatment and decreased supplemental valine and isoleucine dosing requirements.

MSUD is a rare genetic condition that affects the body’s ability to process certain branched-chain amino acids. Careful dietary management, including the use of specialized medical nutrition products, is essential for helping patients maintain metabolic control and reduce the risk of serious complications.

“We are delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with ZOIA Healthcare, this is an important milestone as our extensive pipeline becomes commercially available” said Chris Wagstaff, CEO at Meta Healthcare. “The United States is an important market for rare disease therapies and medical nutrition products. Through ZOIA’s expertise and established distribution capabilities, we look forward to making our novel RTU MSUD portfolio available to patients, healthcare professionals, and treatment centres across the country.”

“We are excited to partner with Meta Healthcare to bring these innovative nutritional products to the U.S. market and expand access for the MSUD community,” said Matt Deans, Chief Executive Officer of Pentec Health. “By combining exclusive distribution rights with our comprehensive patient access and fulfilment capabilities, we can help patients, families, and healthcare providers access the support and products they need more efficiently.”

Image caption: Steve Tickle, R& D Director, Meta Healthcare Ltd. Credit: STFC