KKR, a global investment firm, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a controlling stake in J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, one of the leading Indian pharmaceutical companies specializing in branded formulations.
As part of the agreement, KKR will acquire its stake from the founding Mody family at a purchase price of Rs 745 per share and make an open offer for an additional 26% of the Company. Details of the open offer will be disclosed at the appropriate time.
J.B. Chemicals is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in India, supplying affordable, high-quality products in the cardiac, gastrointestinal and anti-infective therapeutic areas across the branded formulations market. The Company’s portfolio includes four flagship brands in India, Cilacar, Metrogyl, Nicardia and Rantac. The Company currently exports its branded formulations to more than 40 countries around the world.
Commenting on the acquisition, J.B. Mody, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of J.B. Chemicals, said, “For more than four decades, J.B. Chemicals’ mission has been to deliver affordable, high-quality pharmaceutical products that improve the lives of individuals living in India and around the world. We are thrilled that KKR – with its deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and experience in investing in the sector, as well as its extensive investments in India – will take our mission forward and build on the foundation of core values that our family has instilled in this company. This will also create growth opportunities for our people to progress.”
Sanjay Nayar, Partner and CEO of KKR India, said, “We are pleased that the promoters of J.B. Chemicals have selected us to take over their rich legacy and to help the company continue its expansion, which is clearly driven by its diversified product portfolio and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities. We believe J.B. Chemicals has an opportunity to accelerate its growth and leverage its strengths to enter into new therapeutic areas. We look forward to working with the management team to build on the company’s strong foundation, and believe this investment underscores KKR’s ongoing commitment to India’s long-term economic prospects and the potential of its companies.”
KKR has a long track record of supporting companies in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors globally. In India, KKR’s pharmaceutical and healthcare investments include Max Healthcare and Radiant Life Care, which collectively comprise the largest hospital network in North India. KKR has also previously invested in Gland Pharma, an Indian pure-play generic injectable pharmaceutical products company that was the first company in India to get US Food and Drug Administration approval for pharmaceutical liquid injectable products.
KKR will fund this investment from Asian Fund III. The transaction is subject to regulatory and other customary approvals.
Avendus Capital served as financial advisor to the Promoters of J.B. Chemicals, and Platinum Partners (Mumbai) acted as legal counsel. Moelis & Company served as financial advisor, EY as accounting and tax diligence advisor, and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel to KKR. ICICI Securities Limited will be acting as the manager to the public tender offer.
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