The company now sells products in more than 100 countries
Former Dragons’ Den investor Tej Lalvani is set to sell his family’s vitamin empire, Vitabiotics, in a deal worth £900million.
Private investment firm Bain Capital is understood to be in the final stages of purchasing the business. It is reported that the sale could be agreed this week.
However, sources told The Times that discussions remain delicate. They added there is still a possibility the deal may not go ahead.
Vitabiotics was founded in 1971 by Tej’s father, Kartar Lalvani.
Tej studied pharmaceutical science in London, Germany and India.
He joined the business after university, started out driving a forklift in the warehouse before working his way up through operations and eventually taking over as chief executive in 2015.
During his time in charge, the company’s annual global sales are said to have grown from £101 million to nearly £196 million.
Vitabiotics claims to be “now the UK’s No.1 vitamin company”. Under Tej Lalvani’s leadership, the business has expanded significantly over the past decade.
The company now sells products in more than 100 countries and records an annual turnover of around £300million.
The family own the business through a parent company registered in the British Virgin Islands. That structure means Vitabiotics is not required to make the finer details of its finances public.
Tej became widely known after appearing as an investor on BBC’s Dragons’ Den between 2017 and 2021.
His most notable investments include health brand Hanna Sillitoe, organic superfoods company Rheal and head lice treatment firm NitNot.
When he announced his impending exit, Tej tweeted:
“After 4 proud years as a Dragon on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, I’ve decided that the upcoming series will be my last.
“I look back on my time in the Den with great fondness.
“I leave having met so many incredible people, with unforgettable memories and, of course, numerous successful investments!”
Vitabiotics has also secured backing from several high-profile celebrities, including presenter Tess Daly, model David Gandy and broadcaster Davina McCall.
The Lalvani family is worth an estimated £525 million and ranks number 255 on The Sunday Times Rich List.
Vitabiotics’ brands include Wellwoman, Perfectil and Pregnacare.
Earlier in 2026, the company entered exclusive negotiations with Bain Capital after investment bank Houlihan Lokey narrowed the list of potential buyers to Bain and Blackstone.
Blackstone describes itself as the world’s largest alternative asset manager.
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