Oslo, Norway, 5 January 2000

Nutri Pharma ASA, today announced that it had signed a co-marketing agreement with the leading health and nutrition retailer, General Nutrition Corporation (GNC), based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Nutri Pharma has granted GNC the exclusive rights to manufacture, market and distribute the soy-based weight reduction brand, Nutrilett®, in the US and Canada.

It also allows for the marketing and distribution of Nutrilett® through GNC's retail outlets in those other countries where Nutri Pharma does not already have an exclusive distribution agreement with a third party. The agreement further provides the foundation for the two companies to grow and expand Nutrilett® as a global brand through the introduction and marketing of new products. Nutrilett® is a globally unique soy-based product which has the distinct advantage of having scientifically-backed research ensuring significant weight-loss whilst concomitantly lowering cholesterol.

GNC has a highly integrated distribution network extending across the United States and Canada, as well as having an effective internet presence with on-line sales at www.drugstore.com. The agreement between the two companies holds that GNC will actively advertise and promote Nutrilett®. Following the recent favourable ruling by the FDA on the health benefits related to soy protein, this new agreement comes at an exciting time for Nutri Pharma, and the company anticipates that the success enjoyed by Nutrilett® in Scandinavia will be repeated globally. This success will further pave the way for the global launch of Nutri Pharma's cholesterol-lowering Abacor® range of food products in 2000/2001.

"We are delighted with the signing of this agreement between Nutri Pharma and GNC," said Michael Oredsson, CEO of Nutri Pharma. "We believe that the Nutrilett® brand offers us an opportunity for global positioning in the nutraceutical industry, and this strategic alliance now presents the ideal platform from which to launch not only our products in the US and Canada, but also broaden our penetration of the European market as well".

"Our association with such a dynamic company as Nutri Pharma, with their credible and well-documented products, presents an excellent opportunity for GNC," said Dr Susan Trimbo, of General Nutrition Corporation. "With the nutraceutical industry experiencing such phenomenal growth on a global basis, we are confident that the dual claim that Nutrilett® facilitates weight loss while lowering cholesterol will differentiate it in this competitive market, and as such, it is set to enjoy great success in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe". Nutrilett® has held a market-leading position in the Nordic Countries since its launch in 1989, and has more than 10 published papers reinforcing its efficacy. The company's technology platform is based on different patented formulations with a core content of combinations of soy protein with high levels of isoflavones, and cotyledon soy fibre. As Nutri Pharma's products are patented preparations of soy ingredients which have been safely consumed by more than 5 million users over the past 10 years. Nutrilett® has established a record of safe and side-effect free use both through numerous clinical studies and consumer use. Nutri Pharma has co-activities with leading soy manufacturer Protein Technologies International (a subsidiary of DuPont), with whom there is great potential for new product development and product enhancement.

Nutri Pharma ASA, based in Oslo, Norway, was founded by Dr Lars Høie, MD, PhD (Appl) and Trond Syvertsen (MBA) in 1993. The company is focusing on the innovative functional foods based on propriety soy-technology, and is committed to addressing the growing incidence of prevalent lifestyle disorders, including elevated cholesterol levels, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Nutri Pharma's soy-technology is secured with a portfolio of patents and other intellectual property rights. In April 1998, the company raised US$15 million in a private financing round in London and Oslo. Nutri Pharma's weight-loss product Nutrilett® has held a market-leading position in the Nordic Countries since its launch in 1989, and the company is about to roll-out Abacor®, a range of cholesterol-lowering functional foods. Based on the strength of Nutrilett® sales, and the substantial global market opportunity for its clinically supported product line, Nutri Pharma is planning an IPO in the next 12-18 months.

Notes to Editors
A new "functional food" or "nutraceutical" market has emerged for such dietary staples as margarine, yoghurt, and salad dressing which have been shown to confer health benefits. The European market for functional foods is already estimated to be worth £830m, with the UK's share said to represent £240m. In the United States, the current market value has been estimated to be $1.4bn, with growth projected at ~$80bn by 2006. In October 1999, the FDA ruled that foods containing 25g of soy protein may claim that those foods protect against heart disease and aid the lowering of cholesterol.

For further information, please contact:

Michael Oredsson, CEO Nutri Pharma ASA.TEL: +45 3338 4000
David Speechly, PhD, MBA. Noonan/Russo Ltd.TEL: 0171 726 4452