Public Company Briefs

Vyrex Corp. (VYRX) formed a venture with Retired Persons Services Inc., administrator of the American Association of Retired Persons’ (AARP) Pharmacy Service, to market nutritional products for older people. The first products offered will be Heart Health, Bone/Joint Health, Prostate Health, and Vitality Complex.

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) shareholders approved the issuance of 5 million shares of stock to complete the company’s merger with Chesterfield, NH-based Stow Mills. The final transaction is valued at about $107.5 million. UNFI will take one-time charges totalling $4.7 million during the next two quarters reflecting merger write-offs and relocation costs for its facility in Denver. UNFI expects to earn $.97/share in FY98 on sales of $700 million to $724 million.

HealthRite Inc. (HLRT) said merger talks with an undisclosed nutritional supplement company might end because of valuation differences. HealthRite received a $4.5 million credit line from First Bank Montana for marketing costs, working capital, and expansion of its Arlee, MT, plant.