Gatorade is a refreshing sports drink enjoyed by millions around the world. Few consumers realize that university research was the genesis for this successful product and the University of Florida has received over $150 million in royalties since the product was invented.
J. Robert Cade, a University of Florida professor of medicine and physiology, and a team of four researchers developed Cade’s Cola to help athletes stay energized during competitions in the hot, humid Florida climate. A football coach had expressed frustration that his players had trouble with their endurance late in their games. Researchers realized that the athletes were losing as much as 10 pounds in a single practice session.
Cade’s Cola had a mixture of water, sodium and sugar that addressed the problem, but tasted awful. Some lemon juice and artificial sweetener and a legend was born.
PepsiCo acquired Quaker Oats in 2001. Included in the acquisition were the rights to Gatorade. Gatorade’s worldwide sales were already in the billions of dollars. According to Beverage Digest, in 2006 Gatorade accounted for more than 80% of the $7.5 billion annual U.S. sports drink market. Over 12 million bottles are guzzled daily by athletes and post operative patients. Gatorade is now sold in 80 countries and dozens of flavors.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Transfer Technology (PINK:TTIN): What Gatorade and Google have in Common - Online Investment Community - World Market Media
