Kartar Lalvani / Handout

Leading global private investment firm Bain Capital announced on July 24 that it has agreed to acquire Vitabiotics—the UK’s No. 1 vitamin company. The acquisition includes Vitabiotics' UK operations and the wider VB Group, encompassing Meyer Organics in India and African operations such as VB Egypt. The deal marks a major milestone in Vitabiotics’ 55-year history and sets the stage for its next phase of rapid international expansion.

Vitabiotics was founded in 1971 by visionary scientist and entrepreneur Kartar Lalvani. A pioneer in the nutraceutical field, Lalvani developed science-based formulas that created entirely new supplement categories and household brand names tailored to specific health and life-stage needs. 

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Vitabiotics is the leading British nutraceutical company with a heritage deeply rooted in family entrepreneurship and scientific research. Built on a foundation of clinical insight into nutritional science, the company developed some of the UK’s most trusted supplement brands, including Perfectil, Pregnacare, Wellman, Wellwoman, and Menopace. 

It has grown into a category-defining business in vitamins and mineral-based food supplements, with products spanning key health areas and life stages, including pregnancy, men’s and women’s health, beauty, and family nutrition.

Born in Karachi (then British India) and raised in Mumbai, Lalvani—a Sindhi Sikh—relocated to London in 1956. Armed with a doctorate in medicinal chemistry from the University of Bonn, he set out to revolutionize preventive healthcare through science-backed nutrition. His entrepreneurial drive shaped every facet of Vitabiotics, from patented formulas to iconic branding. Now in his 95th year, Lalvani’s remarkable legacy includes four Queen’s Awards for Enterprise alongside top global accolades, including EY’s Master Entrepreneur of the Year (2008).

Over the last decade, his son, Group CEO Tej Lalvani, has spearheaded Vitabiotics' rapid expansion. Across his 30-year tenure, Tej has scaled the company into a global nutraceutical powerhouse through bold product launches and strategic alliances. Beyond the boardroom, he is well known as a leading UK entrepreneur and former investor on BBC TV’s Dragons' Den.

Upon completion of the acquisition, Lalvani will step into the role of chairman emeritus, honouring his decades of industry-defining leadership. His elder son,professor Ajit Lalvani, will retain his position as a non-executive director, continuing to lend his extensive medical and academic expertise to the board.

“This marks a defining moment in Vitabiotics’ journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to build on my father's vision of harnessing science and nutrition to improve everyday health. Together with our exceptional team, we have transformed a British family business into one of the world’s most trusted wellness brands,” Tej Lalvani, Group CEO of Vitabiotics, commented.

“This step is not about changing who we are; it is about accelerating what we can become. With Bain Capital’s global expertise and backing, we have a unique opportunity to scale internationally, drive innovation, and bring our trusted products to millions more consumers—all while remaining true to the quality, science, and values that have defined Vitabiotics for over 55 years.”

The transaction brings together one of the world’s leading healthcare and consumer investors with one of the most recognised independent vitamins, minerals and supplements businesses globally, creating a platform for accelerated international growth. 

As the UK’s No.1 vitamin company, Vitabiotics UK exports to over 70 countries worldwide. Alongside its international export business, the group has established operations in key global markets including India, China, Egypt and West Africa, reflecting its evolution into a leading international nutritional healthcare company.

The UK will remain central to Vitabiotics’ brand identity, innovation, and category leadership. Day-to-day operations will continue without immediate change, with an ongoing focus on serving customers, partners, and consumers. Moving forward, the company will invest in key growth drivers, including digital capabilities, e-commerce, supply chain resilience, international distribution, and new product development.

Given Vitabiotics’ expanding international footprint, the investment will be led by Bain Capital’s Asia private equity team, supported by its global platform. Bain Capital will leverage its sector expertise, regional portfolio resources, and local market knowledge in India to help scale Vitabiotics’ brands—particularly across high-growth markets in MENA and China.

Pawan Singh, a partner at Bain Capital, said, "Vitabiotics is exactly the type of business we support: a trusted, science-led brand platform with category leadership, strong healthcare professional credibility and meaningful presence across the UK, India, the Middle East, Africa and China. Our India team has deep experience partnering with healthcare and consumer businesses, and we look forward to supporting Vitabiotics’ next phase of growth.”

Rishi Mandawat, a partner at Bain Capital, added, “We see a compelling opportunity to help Vitabiotics build on its UK leadership and strengthen its global platform. Across Bain Capital, we will bring sector expertise, portfolio resources and local market knowledge to support investment in innovation, e-commerce, international distribution and operational capability.”

Completion of the transaction remains subject to applicable closing conditions, including customary regulatory approvals.

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