Macfarlanes acts as lead legal adviser on sale of Vitabiotics to Bain Capital

Macfarlanes has acted as lead legal adviser on the sale of Vitabiotics to Bain Capital. Macfarlanes acted for IQ-EQ, as selling shareholder.  

Vitabiotics was founded in 1971 by Professor Kartar Lalvani OBE. Vitabiotics has grown from a pioneering British family business into one of the world’s most recognised independent science-led nutraceutical companies. Its portfolio comprises a number of trusted brands, including Pregnacare, Perfectil, Wellman, Wellwoman, Osteocare and the Ultra range. The company exports to over 70 countries worldwide. The transaction comprised the UK operations together with the wider Vitabiotics group, including Meyer Organics in India and operations in Africa.

Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals.

The Macfarlanes team was led by M&A Partners Tim Redman and Alice Temkin.

The M&A team also included Sponsor Solutions Partner Stephen Pike, Senior Associates Robert Longman, Emma Wolf, San-Marie Saaiman and Natasha Sellayah, and Associates Jamie Kelly, Sanjana Singh, Finn Marshall, Rhian Edwards and Harris Grigoriou. Trust and Tax advice were led by Partners Jonathan Arr, Piers Barclay, Chloe Edworthy, Greg Price, Gideon Sanitt and Mark Stichbury, with support from Senior Counsels Emma Cohen, Joanna Constantis and Beth Leggate, Senior Associates Sarah-Louise Fernandez, Will Fletcher, Carrie Holmes and Ed Parry-Smith, and Associates Mollie Biggadike, Beth Cooper, Jamie Golding, Ellie Herve, Susie Hucker, George Mitkov, Luca Parrott and Chris Ward. Partner Malcolm Walton led on competition, supported by Senior Associate Matthew Jones and Associate Megan Humphreys; Partner Clare Breeze led on property, supported by Senior Counsel Helen Sculthorpe and Associate Russell Fancourt; and Senior Counsel Martha Campbell and Associate Julia Inselseth supported on commercial matters. Partner Lorna Emson and Senior Associate Francis Bond also supported on various advisory matters.

Tim Redman commented: “Vitabiotics is an exceptional business, with a strong international footprint and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction brought together a large number of jurisdictions, stakeholders and workstreams, and it was a privilege to support on a matter of this scale and importance.”