Aventis Pharma, a majority owned subsidiary of Sanofi, has agreed to acquire the nutraceuticals business of India’s Universal Medicare as it looks to increase sales from emerging markets and consumer products. With the acquisition, Sanofi will gain Universal Medicare’s portfolio of more than 40 nutraceutical products, which generated sales of approximately INR1.1 B (US$24 M) in the year ending 31 March 2011. The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011.