Thursday 16 February 2012

Abbott, Dabur, GSK to Acquire Jagdale's Energy Drinks Biz


A line-up of MNC and Indian bidders are in the fray to acquire home grown electrolyte energy drinks business of Jagdale Healthcare, which is on the block. GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Abbott Laboratories, Zydus Cadila, Wipro and Dabur are among the potential suitors for Jagdale's OTC business for an estimated valuation of Rs 500 crore, said sources.
Bangalore-based Jagdale has appointed boutique investment bank Mape Advisory Group to find suitors for the business under the brand ORS-L. The brand, a patented fruit-based electrolyte drink, competes in the broader energy drinks segment that includes players like Gatorade from PepsiCo. The brand ORS-L is expected to end the fiscal with revenue nearing Rs 100 crore, and has sought almost five-fold valuation for a likely sale, said a source who did not wish to be quoted as talks were preliminary and private. Jagdale Healthcare MD Rajesh Jagdale declined to comment.

One source said Jagdale has sought a hefty premium citing process and product patent for its tetrapak offering until 2025. ORS-L, which started off as prescription based product, has now moved into the OTC segment with nutritional positioning. Indian pharma firms like Mankind, Ipca and global heavyweights such as Abbott have entered this space more recently, with some of them having contract manufacturing agreements with Jagdale.

Global pharma and FMCG giants have shown a huge appetite for OTC healthcare brands as reflected in Reckitt Benckiser's acquisition of Paras Pharma for $724 million in 2010. ORS-L brand has reportedly grown at over 35% in recent years, but one potential bidder said the asking price was still high and he would be comfortable with valuation of around Rs 350 crore. Jagdale Healthcare is part of Jagdale Industries with diversified interests in pharma, agri and foods businesses.

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