4 May 2010 --- NattoPharma ASA is pleased to announce that NattoPharma and the Italian company Gnosis S.p.A signed a distribution agreement that grants NattoPharma exclusive rights to sell and market Gnosis' natural Vitamin K2 products under NattoPharma's brand MenaQ7 into the global Fortified Food and Animal Feed market as well as the European Food Supplement market. "It is the two major players in the vitamin K2 market that have now entered into an exclusive agreement. We are delighted to further develop the vitamin K2 market together with a company with such a good reputation as Gnosis." says CEO & President Morten Sundstø in NattoPharma.

The companies are simultaneously entering into an exclusive Partnership Agreement for the Food Supplement market outside Europe. There are great synergies between the two companies. Gnosis has a long track record in making high quality vitamin K2 products at their GMP certified Swiss manufacturing facility. They also have a global and well established sales network. NattoPharma is the leader in vitamin K2 research and has a strong patent portfolio and excellent experience and knowledge in marketing. CEO Renzo Berna in Gnosis comments on the newly signed agreement: "We are very pleased to enter into a close partnership with NattoPharma, the first company to introduce natural Vitamin K2 into the active ingredient market. When we now unite our forces we will be able to develop and utilize the potential in the market at a faster pace".

New and existing customers of the two companies can expect the same high quality and clinically proven product as before with even better support and secure supply. The signed agreement will be effective from late June 2010. Until then Sumitomo Corporation will continue as NattoPharma's supplier.