Key Summary
- The business could be valued at around £900m in a potential deal, according to people familiar with the matter.
- Sources cautioned that deliberations are ongoing and there is no certainty that a transaction will be completed.
- Indian generics major Lupin had earlier entered into early-stage discussions to acquire Vitabiotics
Private equity firms Bain Capital and Blackstone Inc. have progressed to the next round of bidding for Vitabiotics Ltd, a leading player in the UK's vitamins and nutraceuticals market, according to people familiar with the matter.
Two other PE firms, EQT AB and TPG Inc, have also reportedly moved forward in the bidding process for Vitabiotics.
The business could be valued at around £900m in a potential deal, the people reportedly said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
This follows earlier reports that Indian generics major Lupin had entered into early-stage discussions to acquire Vitabiotics.
Founded in 1971 by Dr Kartar Lalvani, Vitabiotics owns leading brands such as Wellwoman, Pregnacare, Menopace, Feroglobin, Perfectil and Osteocare, and has a presence in 80 countries.
His son, Tej Lalvani, is the current chief executive officer.
Dr Kartar Lalvani, who holds a PhD in science from Bonn University, remains closely associated with the business, while his elder son Ajit Lalvani, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, chairs the company’s scientific advisory board.
Sources cautioned that deliberations are ongoing and there is no certainty that a transaction will be completed.
The outcome, including valuation and ownership, could still change as talks progress.
Representatives for Bain Capital, Blackstone Inc., EQT AB, TPG Inc. and Vitabiotics Ltd. have declined to comment.
The bidding process highlights continued investor interest in consumer health businesses with strong brand recognition.
