Sanofi-Aventis SA (SAN.FR) is in talks to buy a majority stake in India's Universal Medicare Pvt. Ltd., as the French pharmaceutical giant looks to boost its over-the-counter business in the country, the Economic Times reported Tuesday.

The report cited an unidentified person aware of the matter as saying that Sanofi-Aventis may buy a stake in privately held Universal Medicare, or some of its key brands.

The newspaper said Universal Medicare, owned by Vikram Tanna and family, makes over-the-counter products used to treat osteoporosis and arthritis.

Newspaper website: http://www.economictimes.com

-By Mumbai Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; 91 22 6145 6100; djn.in@dowjones.com