Sanofi Acquires Consumer Biz in China

Sanofi-Aventis has acquired China-based BMP Sunstone Corp. for approximately $520 million. BMP Sunstone had sales of $147 million in 2009, with nearly 60% of that coming from consumer healthcare products. Two of the company’s largest brands are GoodBaby, for pediatric cough and cold, and Confort, for women’s hygiene.

“The acquisition of BMP Sunstone will not only leverage our consumer healthcare business in China, but will also bring us unique access to new expanding distribution channels which are expected to account for a third of the pharmaceutical market in China in the coming years,” said Christopher A. Viehbacher, SA’s chief executive officer. “This transaction represents another strategic move for Sanofi-Aventis to reinforce its leadership position in China.”

China’s consumer healthcare market is estimated to be more than $15 billion in annual sales and has grown at more than 10% CAGR since 2005.