Press Release

Sint-Denijs-Westrem, October 5th 2023

Ceres Pharma acquires Hungarian VitaPlus

Ceres Pharma NV, a Belgian based pharmaceutical company, active in Women’s and Family Health, has acquired the Hungarian pharmaceutical company VitaPlus Kft, including Innopharm Kft.

The acquisition of VitaPlus is yet another step in the further development of Ceres Pharma in Central and Eastern Europe and in Hungary in particular.

VitaPlus is a leading Hungarian pharmaceutical company active in the development and distribution of innovative and value-for-money branded food supplements and medical devices in Hungary and beyond. VitaPlus brands such as 1x1 Vitamin®, Innopharm® and Medistus® are well known by Hungarian pharmacists and consumers and very visible in the Hungarian pharmacies, drugstores and food chains. In 2022 VitaPlus achieved a turnover of 9 million euros.

"I am very happy that we have come to an agreement with the owners of VitaPlus. This acquisition fits perfectly within Ceres Pharma’s strategy. VitaPlus will reinforce our position in Hungary and further grow our export business. Finally, Medistus®, VitaPlus’ innovative flagship brand, offers market access for further medical devices.”, says Mario Debel, CEO of Ceres Pharma.

All VitaPlus employees remain on board. Ceumed, Ceres Pharma’s subsidiary in Hungary, will be integrated in VitaPlus. Judit Erika Ottó, the current General Manager of VitaPlus, will continue to  lead and grow VitaPlus to the next level. “We are delighted to be part of a strong, dynamic and fast growing international group, such as Ceres Pharma. Together, we will be stronger to execute our ambitious growth plan in Hungary and beyond.", says Judit Erika Ottó, GM of VitaPlus.

The price of the takeover will not be disclosed.          

About VitaPlus                                                                                                                                

VitaPlus is a leading Hungarian pharmaceutical company active in the development and distribution of innovative and value-for-money food supplements and medical devices in Hungary and beyond.   

About Ceres Pharma                                                                                                                             

Ceres Pharma is a dynamic and fast growing, Belgian based, pharmaceutical company, founded in 2017 by Mario Debel and Alychlo and acquired in 2021 by Naxicap Partners. It is the ambition of Naxicap and the founder and CEO Mario Debel to grow Ceres Pharma through the development of its own product portfolio as well as through acquisitions. Ceres Pharma is active in the development and distribution of drugs, medical devices, biocides, cosmetics, qualitative food supplements and pharmaceutical preparations in the Benelux, Italy and in Central and Eastern Europe.

About Naxicap Partners                                                                                                                           

As one of the top private equity firms in France, Naxicap Partners - an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers - has €5 billion in assets under management. As a committed, responsible investor, Naxicap Partners builds solid, constructive partnerships with entrepreneurs so that their projects can succeed. The firm has 39 investment professionals spread across five offices in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes and Frankfurt.