J&J buys electrolyte drink Orsl for Rs 750cr

BANGALORE: Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has acquired Orsl, an energy drink brand, for Rs 750 crore from city-based Jagdale Industries.

Orsl, which has a few variants, is a fruit-based electrolyte drink, recommended by healthcare practitioners for illnesses related to digestion, pain, fever, cough and cold. The deal, which was managed by investment bank MAPE Advisory, was reported by TOI last week.

Danone and Abbott Laboratories were also in the race to acquire Orsl, whose sales is estimated Rs 90 crore in annual sales. “This acquisition will allow us to expand our consumer health care offerings in line with our vision of helping consumers’ lead healthy lives,” said Thibaut Mongon, company Group Chairman, Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies Asia Pacific.
Johnson & Johnson’s over-the-counter consumer healthcare vertical in India consists of brands like Benadryl cough syrup, Caladryl lotion, low-calorie sweetener Splenda, tobacco cessation brand Nicorette among others.