BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Nestle Health Science, a business unit of Nestle S.A., has taken an equity stake in Amazentis, Lausanne, Switzerland, to develop and market products featuring Amazentis’ Urolithin A ingredient technology. Terms of the agreement were not announced.

Urolithin A is a dietary metabolite that is naturally produced when eating certain foods such as pomegranate, and it improves mitochondrial function by activating mitophagy, a process by which aging and damaged mitochondria are cleared from the cell, according to Nestle. As part of the agreement, Nestle has the global rights to use Urolithin A in dietary supplements, food and beverages and medical nutrition products.

“Advancing cellular nutrition is a key component of our strategy to bring new benefits to consumers and patients,” said Greg Behar, chief executive officer of Nestle Health Science. “Amazentis’ impressive science in the field of mitochondrial health opens significant new opportunities for us, and we are thrilled to partner with their capable team. Our global strategic partnership will include a significant investment to support further research and development of Urolithin A.”

A phase 1 clinical trial was successfully completed and demonstrated a beneficial impact on biomarkers of mitochondrial health in plasma and in skeletal muscle tissue, Nestle said. Two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 trials are being conducted to quantify the impact of Urolithin A on muscle health and function as well as other parameters. Urolithin A is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Nestle Health Science as they truly see the future of nutrition and share our vision of developing a new generation of clinically validated nutrients to counteract cellular aging,” said Chris Rinsch, Ph.D., co-founder and c.e.o. of Amazentis. “Urolithin A is the only clinically tested natural bioactive shown to improve mitochondrial health by activating the selective recycling of damaged mitochondria. This partnership will enable us to make this breakthrough more widely available and will support consumers in the proactive management of their cellular health.”