Specialized life-science businesses

Building an enduring platform of exceptional science companies

We partner with owners of specialized tools, reagents, consumables, and laboratory-product businesses to drive growth through capital, sales, marketing, HR, and expertise.

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Investment focus

Deeply focused on products that make science possible

We are interested in enduring, technically specialized businesses that researchers, laboratories, and manufacturers rely on every day.

Reagents

Nucleic acid and genomics reagents, molecular biology enzymes, immunoassay reagents, and custom oligonucleotides.

Lab consumables

Purification resins, columns, and consumable kits that labs rebuy on every run.

Sample preparation

Protein isolation, purification, and primary-cell products that turn raw biological material into research-ready samples.

Specialty lab products

Biospecimens and primary cells for translational and cell-based research; Specialty magnetic beads and polymers.

Research tools

Upstream instruments and platform tools that sit next to our reagent and consumables business.

Diagnostic reagents and controls

Assay reagents, controls, and calibrators that support molecular and clinical diagnostic testing.

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What we look for

Distinctive businesses with durable foundations

These are guideposts, not a rigid checklist. We welcome conversations with strong companies that may not fit every criterion.

Founder, family, or closely held

Approximately $1–10M in revenue

Profitable or strong underlying economics

Repeat or recurring customer purchases

Specialized, technically differentiated products

Durable customer relationships and reputation

Why Vivara Scientific

Building a specialized scientific company often takes decades. Choosing what happens next deserves the same care.

Protect what matters

Preserve the identity, reputation, and customer trust built over many years.

Create a flexible transition

Shape a path that reflects your timing, goals, and desired level of involvement.

Support your people

Give employees a stable home and the resources to continue doing excellent work.

Invest for the next chapter

Add patient capital and practical commercial support without losing what makes the company special.

For business owners

Leadership

Led by operators who've built this before

Read full bios

Bill Baugh

Chief Executive Officer

CEO with more than 30 years of experience in the life sciences and diagnostics industry, having served in roles including President of Lab Products at Fisher Scientific, CEO and President of Pelican Life Sciences, and CEO of Theramed.

Ahmad Sheikh

Chairman

Chairman with decades of private equity experience as a Partner at SFW Capital, having invested in and supported the growth of successful businesses in the industrial technology and life sciences tools sectors.

Our approach

Patient ownership. Practical support.

We believe great niche businesses grow best when their expertise and identity remain close to customers.

How we work

01
Long-term orientation
We build enduring companies and make decisions with years, not quarters, in mind.
02
Decentralized operations
Strong businesses retain their identity, customer intimacy, and operating judgment.
03
Technical specialization
We value application knowledge, product quality, and scientific credibility.
04
Commercial growth
We prioritize channel expansion and technology implementation to reach more of the right customers.
05
Thoughtful capital
We invest selectively in people, products, capacity, and systems that compound value.

Portfolio

Built, not just acquired

A track record we're building one company at a time.

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Platform company

Vivaproducts

Littleton, Massachusetts

Vivaproducts specializes in protein concentration and purification devices used across research and clinical labs. Vivara Scientific’s first platform investment with ISO 13485 certification in process.

Growth initiative

Advanced Materials

Littleton, Massachusetts

A growing product line focused on advanced materials, including nano grinding media, developed under the Vivara Scientific umbrella to extend into adjacent, technically specialized markets.

Insights for owners