MAM
Vanesa enters derma-care with Pro+ underarm roll-on range
Kareena Kapoor Khan fronts launch, offers 48-hour protection with AHA BHA formula.
MUMBAI: Confidence, it seems, is getting a quiet upgrade starting with what sits closest to the skin. Vanesa has stepped beyond fragrances into derma-led personal care with the launch of Vanesa Pro+, marking its entry into the underarm roll-on category. The move signals a shift from aspirational scent-led storytelling to everyday skin-first care. The brand has retained continuity in its messaging by bringing back Kareena Kapoor Khan as the face of the new range, this time anchoring a conversation around comfort, self-care and daily confidence rather than just fragrance.
At the centre of the launch is a campaign film that reframes underarm care as part of lived-in routines, rather than a functional afterthought. The narrative taps into a growing consumer shift particularly among younger women towards products that address concerns such as pigmentation and body odour while remaining gentle and skin-aware.
The Vanesa Pro+ range is built on a Derma Action Formula combining AHA and BHA actives with soothing ingredients. It offers up to 48 hours of odour protection, is dermatologically tested and designed for all skin types. The formulation is free from alcohol, aluminium, parabens, phthalates, SLS and triclosan, aligning with the broader move towards cleaner, more transparent personal care.
Available in two variants 4 per cent AHA BHA Pearl and 6 per cent AHA BHA Fresh, the range is positioned as an easy addition to everyday routines, offering consumers a choice based on skin needs rather than complexity.
The launch reflects a wider recalibration within the category, where brands are moving closer to skin science without losing accessibility. For Vanesa, Pro+ is less about a dramatic pivot and more about a measured expansion, one that brings its existing equity into a space where care is becoming as important as confidence.
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
