Litha Healthcare Group

The story of Litha Healthcare Group begins in 1992, founded by Selwyn Kahanovitz, who served as CEO. The company initially focused on distributing vaccines and medical devices in South Africa. A key early move was a partnership with the South African government in 2003 to form The Biovac Institute, a consortium aimed at producing pediatric vaccines. A significant turning point came in 2010 when Litha merged with Myriad Medical Holdings, which led to a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. This move helped the company grow from a turnover of less than R100 million to over R1.5 billion through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The leadership team during this expansion included Martin Kahanovitz as CFO and Morena Makhoana as deputy CEO, alongside other founders like Georgina Mhlongo and Nkululeko Sowazi. The company's success attracted international attention, and in 2015, it was acquired by the global pharmaceutical company Endo International and delisted from the stock exchange. The journey took another twist in 2017 when Endo sold Litha Healthcare to Acino, a Swiss pharmaceutical firm, for approximately $100 million. This acquisition gave Acino a strong foothold in the South African market. Today, the business operates as part of the Acino Healthcare Group, continuing its mission to provide a wide range of healthcare products, from vaccines and medical devices to pharmaceuticals.