July 3, 2024
Paris, France – Cooper Consumer Health is delighted to announce the successful completion of the acquisition of ’Over the Counter (OTC)’ business of Viatris Inc., a global healthcare company. This milestone follows the necessary approvals from regulatory authorities and the completion of workers’ councils’ information and consultation processes.
The acquisition doubles Cooper Consumer Health’s revenues (reaching €1.2bn) and strengthens its position as a leading healthcare platform in Europe, driven by its purpose of “Empowering Healthier Living”. It expands Cooper Consumer Health’s footprint in new therapeutic areas such as feminine hygiene, antiseptics, and cholesterol reduction, with brands including Saugella, Betadine and Armolipid, providing scale in all large European markets.
The transaction also includes two high quality manufacturing sites in Mérignac, France, and Confienza, Italy, along with an R&D centre in Monza, Italy, enhancing Cooper Consumer Health’s capabilities in product development and manufacturing excellence.
Bart Meermans, Group CEO of Cooper Consumer Health, stated: “We are thrilled to finalise this acquisition, which transforms Cooper Consumer Health Care into a truly pan-European pure-play leader in consumer healthcare. We will have solid presence in all large European geographies, including in Germany where we will create a new affiliate. We are delighted to welcome the many strong brands, including Betadine, Saugella, Armolipid, and CB12, which we believe all have significant potential. This newly created organisation, including our improved commercial capabilities, will allow us to accelerate performance in years to come.
I want to extend my deepest thanks to all our colleagues for their tireless efforts throughout the acquisition process to make this historic milestone possible. We are excited to welcome our new colleagues from Viatris and to work together to drive further growth and value creation.”
Yvan Vindevogel, Chairman of Cooper Consumer Health, commented: “I also want to extend my gratitude to the Viatris teams, who made the closing of the acquisition possible and will further cooperate to integrate more than 200 brands in 50 countries into our operational structure. There are already many new product ideas in place to develop the acquired brands and products into consumer-oriented offerings, improving consumers’ health in all categories. We will become a true reference in the European consumer healthcare space!”
About Cooper Consumer Health
Cooper Consumer Health is a leading European consumer healthcare player, focusing on the development, production, and distribution of a diverse range of consumer healthcare brands across most OTC segments. The company serves over +100,000 pharmacies and drugstores across Europe and beyond. It employs +1500 employees across the different European markets.
