For the first time in 185 years, the UriahCatalan family pharmaceutical company decided to enter the sector with a British ICG fund. The move includes roughly a 30 percent capital increase and marks a significant milestone as the company pursued strategic growth. The acquisition of a French company, ineldea, stands as the largest takeover in the firm’s history and signals a broader ambition to expand beyond its traditional markets.
The introduction of a partner whose exact financial contribution would remain undisclosed strengthens UriahCatalan’s position as a major player. This development comes alongside Lubea, the German private investment company, which acquired 26 percent of Esteve Healthcare. The stake purchase reinforces Uriah Catalan’s strategy to become a leader in the natural health segment, with key figures such as Enrique Uriach, chair of the owners’ council, Lluís Cantarell, chair of the board, and Oriol Segarra, chief executive, outlining the company’s new milestones in public remarks.
UriahCatalan had already signaled last June that its goal involved entering the French market through the historic acquisition of ineldea, a company with around two decades of activity and a yearly turnover near 100 million. This strategic move is framed as a turning point that positions the group for accelerated growth and broader European reach. The financial dynamics accompanying the deal will enable the group to consolidate its presence in existing markets while pursuing new opportunities in Western Europe.
500 million
The company had been planning this type of operation for more than three years. With the latest step, sales projections are set to reach 450 million in 2025, with a credible path toward 500 million as the expansion unfolds. The new infusion of capital is expected to accelerate growth and support deeper penetration in the markets where the group already operates, including Italy where additional acquisitions followed the first one. These targets reflect a disciplined approach to scaling while maintaining focus on core product lines and regional strengths.
Segarra explained that the entry of the fund can help speed up growth and fortify the company’s presence in the markets where it already has a footprint. The strategic infusion will also enable the group to accelerate investments in product development, distribution networks, and regulatory readiness across different European countries, ensuring a cohesive expansion plan across the continent.
Enrique Uriach emphasized that these moves will support the company’s transformation from a small local family business into a multinational enterprise. The leadership team has framed the expansion as a step toward creating durable value for stakeholders, employees, and customers who rely on a broad portfolio of health products available across multiple countries.
“The focus remains on growing in Europe, with France representing a critical target market that completes our European platform,” Segarra noted in statements tied to the new phase of the organization. The historical emphasis on natural health products continues to guide strategic decisions as the company strengthens its capability to deliver trusted, effective solutions to a broader audience.
The company’s strategy in 2021 included strengthening its pharmaceutical capabilities and facilities in Spain, particularly in the Barcelona area, with operations in Sant Fost de Campsentelles and Palau-solità i Plegamans. This commitment to natural health products complements the broader plan to enhance European manufacturing and distribution efficiency. Earlier, the group expanded by acquiring Sidroga, a German company, aligning its portfolio with a growing demand for health-focused products that emphasize natural ingredients and consumer wellness.
Controlled by the Uriach fifth generation family, the group closed 2022 with a revenue stream of 272 million euros from the sale of pharmacy products of natural origin and over-the-counter items. This revenue figure is associated with the Natural Consumption Healthcare (NCHC) line, reflecting a clear emphasis on wellness-oriented offerings that resonate with contemporary consumer preferences. The momentum demonstrated in 2022 laid the groundwork for the subsequent investments and strategic partnerships that shape the company’s current growth trajectory.