Curis Lifesciences buys 51% of Uninova to scale branded pharma in India and exports

Curis Lifesciences has acquired a 51% stake in Uninova Lifesciences, adding a roughly 50-product own-brand portfolio and distribution platform. The company plans further launches, targets over 100 products by year-end and is pursuing growth in Kenya and Nigeria.

— Source publishedMon, 24 Aug, 2026, 19:50 IST·First seen Mon, 24 Aug, 2026, 19:57 IST·Source The Hindu BusinessLine

What happened

Curis Lifesciences acquired a 51% stake in Uninova to expand India’s branded-pharma distribution and product portfolio, including injectables. It also targets

Key facts

  • 51% stake acquired in Uninova Lifesciences
  • Uninova has approximately 50 own-brand products
  • Around 12 additional products planned
  • Target of more than 100 products by year-end
  • Six injectable products across four molecules launched
  • Previous-year Uninova turnover: approximately INR 5.43 crore
  • Current-year turnover target: approximately INR 7 crore
  • Own-brand sales expected to rise from approximately INR 0.75 crore to INR 3 crore
  • Kenya purchase orders: approximately INR 3 crore across three orders
  • Kenya merchant-export sales expected to rise 30–40% year-on-year
  • Seven Nigeria product dossiers accepted
  • Nigeria annual sales potential estimated at INR 3–4 crore

Why this matters

Uninova gives Curis an immediately scalable branded-product and distribution asset while creating a platform for bolt-on launches and deeper expansion across African markets.

What to watch

  • Confirmation that the portfolio reaches 100 products by year-end.
  • Kenya order size, repeat purchase cadence and distributor expansion beyond initial shipments.
  • Nigerian dossier approvals converting into marketed products and local distribution agreements.
  • Disclosure of branded-sales mix, gross-margin improvement and integration costs.
  • Growth in receivables, inventory days or debt that signals export working-capital pressure.
  • Further acquisitions of brand portfolios, marketing companies or Africa-focused distributors.
  • Launch or relaunch acquired Uninova brands through Curis-backed field sales and distributor channels.
  • File additional dossiers and secure product registrations in Kenya, Nigeria and adjacent African markets.
  • Expand the portfolio toward 100-plus products through new launches, line extensions and possible bolt-on acquisitions.
  • Increase inventory, receivables financing and regulatory/commercial hiring to support export orders.
  • Prioritize higher-margin chronic, specialty or differentiated formulations over commoditized acute generics.