Pharmavite acquires urinary health brand Uqora

West Hills-based vitamins and supplement-maker Pharmavite has acquired San Diego biotech company Uqora Inc. as part of expanding and diversifying its product offerings addressing women’s urinary health issues.

Uqora produces products for urinary tract infection relief for women along with proactive care supplements.

“Uqora plays a central role in Pharmavite’s longterm strategy to offer the most comprehensive women’s health platform in the vitamin, mineral and supplement industry,” said Jeff Boutelle, CEO of Pharmavite.

“I’m excited about the impact Pharmavite can make in women’s health through the combination of both EQUELLE, our menopause-focused product, and now Uqora.”

Pharmavite, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., is known for developing innovative vitamins and supplements, including Nature Made, EQUELLE, MegaFood and Nurish by Nature Made brands.

Boutelle added the company’s goal is to expand Uqora’s digital reach by leveraging Pharmavite’s strategic retail partnerships to make its products accessible to women across the country.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Urinary tract infections are a common clinical issue across the lifespan of women. Nearly 50-60% of women report at least one UTI in their lifetime. The infections become even more common as women age, according to the 2017 study.

Treatments often rely on antibiotics as an increasing number of urinary infections becoming resistant to drugs.

Uqora CEO and cofounder Jenna Ryan said she launched the company in 2017 with co-founder Spencer Gordon after feeling stuck in a cycle of treatments with no long-lasting effects.

Ryan said the acquisition “means we now have access to resources from a leader in the health and wellness space who can help us further our research efforts and accelerate our ability to develop new products.”

Uqora will keep its office in San Diego while operating as a division of Pharmavite.