German pharmaceutical company STADA Arzneimittel AG based in Bad Vilbel, Germany recently announced their acquisition of the established Philippine OTC and food supplement, FERN-C. STADA specializes in the production of generic and over-the-counter drugs. In 2018, their revenue totaled €2.33 billion.

FERN-C is currently the #1 Sodium Ascorbate non-acidic vitamin C in the Philippines that helps boost your immunity to protect your body from infectious diseases.

Sharmaine Abarientos, General Manager of STADA Philippines said, “With FERN C in our portfolio, we will establish a strong consumer healthcare platform to launch other quality medicines as well and provide better health for all Filipinos.”

“The acquisition of FERN C will help us to execute our growth ambitions in the Philippines,” commented STADA CEO Peter Goldschmidt.

After announcing a number of acquisitions and partnerships in Europe recently, the STADA Group is also expanding its portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region. As the global manufacturer of high-quality generic drugs and consumer healthcare products announced today, STADA is acquiring the FERN C portfolio in the Philippines, one of the leading brands in the growing local vitamin C market. The product range consists of FERN C, a vitamin C product that has been in the market for 15 years, and two children's vitamin products - FERN C Kidz and Kiddimin.

STADA has a long lasting history of selling pharmaceutical products into the Philippines, formerly through Croma Medic Inc., which was recently renamed as STADA Philippines. 'After having formally launched STADA Philippines, we are now fully enabled to execute our growth ambitions in this market as well. The acquisition of FERN C will help us to succeed. The acquisition of these products is in line with our strategy of strengthening our portfolio with well-established consumer healthcare brands and also expanding in selected emerging markets', states STADA CEO Peter Goldschmidt.

Sharmaine Abarientos, General Manager of STADA Philippines, adds: 'FERN C has not only an established brand heritage, but also a complete range for adults as well as for the pediatric application. With FERN C in our portfolio, we will establish a strong consumer healthcare platform to launch other quality medicines as well and provide better health for all Filipinos. With our successful portfolio expansion activities, we are able to offer quality medicines at reasonable prices, across all segments of healthcare; specialty, generics and consumer health.'

About STADA Arzneimittel AG

STADA Arzneimittel AG is headquartered in Bad Vilbel, Germany. The company focuses on a two pillar strategy consisting of generics, including specialty pharmaceuticals and non-prescription consumer health products. Worldwide, STADA Arzneimittel AG sells its products in approximately 120 countries. In financial year 2018, STADA achieved adjusted Group sales of EUR 2,330.8 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 503.5 million. As of December 31, 2018, STADA employed 10,416 people worldwide.