Global private equity firm Warburg Pincus emerged as the frontrunner to acquire Universal NutriScience (UNS), the company behind the popular cod liver oil capsule brand Seacod. The proposed transaction is valued at around ₹2,700–2,800 crore. The deal comes as private equity firms, pharmaceutical companies and consumer businesses increasingly target the fast-growing nutraceuticals and preventive healthcare markets. Growing consumer interest in personalised nutrition and healthy ageing is also driving investment in the sector.
Warburg Pincus Leads Competitive Bidding
Warburg Pincus reportedly prevailed over several prominent bidders, including ChrysCapital, Procter & Gamble, TA Associates and Haleon, the former consumer health business of GlaxoSmithKline. A formal announcement of the transaction is expected in the coming days. The acquisition would strengthen Warburg Pincus’ presence in India’s healthcare and nutraceutical sectors. It would also give the investment firm access to an established portfolio of consumer healthcare brands.
Universal NutriScience Builds a Nutraceutical Portfolio
Universal NutriScience was established in 2021 through a partnership between Kedaara Capital and Universal Medicare. The company was created following the acquisition of 16 nutraceutical brands from Sanofi India for ₹587 crore. Since then, UNS has expanded its portfolio across several healthcare and wellness categories. The company’s established brands and presence in the nutraceutical market make it an attractive acquisition target as demand for preventive healthcare products continues to rise.
Acquisition Supports Warburg Pincus’ Healthcare Strategy
The proposed UNS acquisition would further expand Warburg Pincus’ broader India healthcare strategy. The private equity firm has been building a domestic pharmaceutical platform by investing in specialised healthcare segments, including women’s health and orthopaedics. In addition, Warburg Pincus recently acquired Integrace Health, following its investments in Koye Pharma and the non-tuberculosis portfolio of Maneesh Pharmaceuticals. The firm’s healthcare platform also gained industry expertise when Rehan A. Khan, former managing director of MSD and Abbott India, joined Integrace Health as CEO.
Nutraceuticals Attract Growing Investor Interest
As reported by outlookbusiness.com, the potential acquisition highlights the increasing investor interest in India’s nutraceutical and preventive healthcare industry. As consumers become more health-conscious, demand for dietary supplements, functional nutrition and healthy-ageing products continues to create new opportunities. Consequently, established nutraceutical brands such as Universal NutriScience are attracting attention from private equity investors as well as global healthcare and consumer companies.
