Brazil’s top sports nutrition firm snapped up by Valeant Pharmaceuticals

Canadian firm Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has acquired Brazil’s leading sports nutrition and food supplements maker Probiótica Laboratorios in a $150m deal.

Probiótica, which generated revenues of R$80m in 2011, is predicting double-digit growth is 2012.

Valeant chief executive J. Michael Pearson said: "We are excited about this new opportunity in Brazil. The sports nutrition and food supplement market has outperformed the rest of the market and Probiótica’s strong reputation in Brazil makes it a perfect fit into our growing consumer portfolio.

“With a continued emphasis on healthier lifestyles and fitness, we believe we have a unique opportunity not only in Brazil, but in potential export markets as well."

Ontario-based Valeant is a specialty pharmaceutical company that makes a range of products primarily in the areas of neurology, dermatology and branded generics.

Probiótica – which sells its products in more than 23 countries – claims to be the largest South American importer of whey protein for the sports nutrition market.

It also sells a wide range of dietary supplements from fish oils to calcium supplements.