Pharmaceutical group makes another acquisition
YORKSHIRE-BASED Thornton & Ross, the largest independent pharmaceutical group in the UK, has acquired skin cream maker Zeroderma.
The family-owned Huddersfield firm, which has brands including Zoflora disinfectant, Covonia cough medicine, Setlers digestive tablets and Mycota athlete’s foot treatments, has bought Leicestershire-based dermalogical cream specialist Zeroderma for an undisclosed sum.
Manchester law firm, Kuits Solicitors advised Thornton & Ross on the purchase.
Dieno George, the chief executive of Thornton & Ross, said: “Our purchase of Zeroderma, which owns a number of licences for dermatological creams, will add to our growing range of dermatological products and will provide a platform for the next phase of the company’s growth.”
Mr George is the former interim chief executive of SSL International.
The company purchase includes all intellectual property, trade marks and stocks relating to the licences. Thornton & Ross will take over the sales, distribution and marketing of the Zeroderma products.
Thornton & Ross was founded in 1922 by Nathan Thornton and Phillip Ross to 
make soft soap and pack household ammonia and its
Today, it produces a range of medicinal and household products, including head lice treatment Hedrin, Fenox nasal spray and Transvasion for muscular aches and pains.
Colin Hoffman, partner at Kuits Solicitors who led the Kuits team, commented: “We have advised Thornton & Ross on numerous acquisitions, which have complemented their brand and grown their penetration in the pharmaceutical and household products market.
“The trade marks and intellectual property attached to these acquisitions is always key to the deal and require detailed consideration.”
Last December Thornton & Ross completed a deal to buy the muscle pain treatment brand Radian B from William Ransom & Son for £3.4m.
