Sanofi-Aventis to acquire PHC's supplement business

PARIS Sanofi-Aventis will buy Australia-based Primary Health Care’s vitamin and mineral supplement business, Sanofi-Aventis announced Monday.

The French pharmaceutical manufacturer will buy Primary’s Symbion CP Holdings, also known as Symbion Consumer, for $547 million. Subject to certain conditions, the transaction is expected to be completed Aug. 31.

Symbion Consumer manufactures supplements in the form of “nutraceuticals,” as well as over-the-counter brands, in Australia and New Zealand. Its brands include Natures Own, Cenovis, Bio-organics, Golden Glow and Microgenics. It had sales of $185.6 million last year.

“The acquisition will sustain Sanofi-Aventis Australia growth through products portfolio widening, increased pharmacy presence and access to new channels, and will create strong synergies with our existing pharmaceutical activities,” said Olivier Charmeil, senior vice president of pharmaceutical operations for Sanofi-Aventis’ Asia Pacific division.