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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Torrent in Advanced Talks to Stitch Up JB Chemicals Buy
Torrent Pharma is in advanced discussions with private equity group KKR to buy JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals , almost 10 months after their initial discussions fell through, said multiple people aware of the matter. KKR, the controlling shareholder, owns 47.84% of the company via investment vehicle TAU Investment. The transaction will include buying out KKR from its five-year-old investment. In July 2020, KKR acquired around 54% of JB Chemicals from its promoters and founders, the Mody family, for approximately ₹3,100 crore, translating to ₹745 per share. The deal, if it takes place, will trigger an open offer for an additional 26% of the company. If fully successful, Torrent could end up owning 73.84% of the firm. At current prices, that would amount to ₹20,734.61 crore ($2.4 billion), making it Torrent's largest buyout . KKR's stake alone is worth ₹13,433.69 crore. This will take Torrent to fifth position in the Indian market from seventh now with combined sales of ₹8,662 crore in the domestic market. A formal announcement is expected in the coming weeks, said one of the persons cited. The JB Chemicals stock closed Friday at ₹1,799.35, up 3%, for a market value of ₹28,080.46 crore. The stock hit a 52-week high on August 16, 2024, and has dropped 4.58% in the year to date. JB Chemicals is a turnaround story backed by a string of deals and a push to some of its own brands such as Nicardia (hypertension), Rantac (antiulcer), Cilacar and Metrogyl (antibacterial). For Torrent, these will come handy in the hyper-competitive branded generic market in India, more so because these products have a strong reputation with doctors. JB's leading eight brands account for half of total sales of ₹3,900 crore. Additionally, a deal will allow Torrent to make an entry into the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) business via JB's high-quality alliances with multinational companies for cough lozenges. Live Events Sources indicate that Torrent Pharma may also look at merging JB Chemicals with itself in the near term with the aim to derive the benefits of synergies. Torrent, Alkem and EQT were in separate negotiations with KKR last year, when the US buyout fund had launched a formal sale process, but that failed due to a lack of agreement on valuation. The talks with Torrent are said to have resumed bilaterally in recent weeks. KKR declined to comment. Torrent didn't respond to queries. Ahmedabad-headquartered Torrent is also holding financing negotiations with HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays to arrange financing of $1.6 billion. These three had been lined up as the financing banks last year as well, and have sought 'refreshed approvals on the bond structure,' said one of the persons cited. The rupee bond facility is being raised to fund the equity requirement for the transaction and is likely to be backed by promoter group entities or select downstream cash flows, the person said. HSBC didn't respond to queries. Standard Chartered and Barclays declined to comment. Moneycontrol was the first to report that Torrent had revived its JB Chemicals buyout plans on Friday evening. Earlier this March, KKR sold a little above 5% of JB in the open market via a block deal and raised ₹1,459 crore. 'Unlike Max Healthcare, where KKR sold significant chunks of the company, in JB Chemicals selling close to 50% would have been difficult,' said an industry executive on condition of anonymity.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Torrent Pharma closes in on JB Chem likely for $2.4 bn buyout, eyes $1.6 billion financing
Torrent Pharma is in advanced discussions with private equity group KKR to buy JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, almost 10 months after their initial discussions fell through, said multiple people aware. KKR the controlling shareholder owns 47.84% of the company via its investment vehicle TAU Investment. The transaction will include buying out KKR from its 5 year old investment. In July 2020, KKR acquired around 54 percent of JB Pharma from its promoters and founders, the Mody family, for approximately Rs 3,100 crore translating to Rs 745 per share. It will also trigger an open offer for an additional 26% of the company. If fully successful, Torrent could end up owning 73.84 per cent of the company. At current price, that could lead to a Rs 20,734.61 crore buyout for Torrent – its largest so far. Acquisition of KKR's stake alone would translate to a Rs 13,433.69 crore transaction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Punjab Mosquito-Free Nights: Residents Share Unexpected Secret Mosquito Eliminator Read More Undo A formal announcement is expected in coming weeks, one of the sources mentioned above added. JB Chemicals closed Friday at Rs 1799.35/share, up 3% from the previous day's closing. Its current market value is Rs 28,080.46 crore. The JB Chemical stock had touched a 52-week high on 16th August 2024, and has dropped 4.58% year to date. Live Events JB Pharma has been a turnaround story backed by a string of deals and a push to some of its own brands like Nicardia (hypertension), Rantac (antiulcer), Cilacar and Metrogyl (antibacterial). For Torrent, these hit brands will come handy in the hyper competitive branded generic market in India, more so because these products have a strong reputation with the doctors. Of the total sales of roughly Rs 3900 crore, JB leading eight brands account for half. Additionally, Torrent will make an entry into the CDMO business via JB Pharma's high quality alliances with multinational companies for cough lozenges. Torrent, Alkem and EQT were in separate negotiations with KKR last year, when the US buyout fund had launched a formal sale process but that failed due to valuation mismatch. The talks are believed to have resumed bilaterally in recent weeks. KKR declined to comment. Mails sent to Torrent Pharma did not generate a response till press time. Ahmedabad headquartered Torrent is also holding financing negotiations with HSBC, Standard Chartered Bnak and Barclays to arrange $1.6 billion rupee financing. The three were the financing banks last year as well, so they have sought 'refreshed approvals on the bond structure.' The INR bond facility is being raised to fund the equity requirement for the transaction and is likely to be backed by promoter group entities or select downstream cash flows,' one of the people said. Mails to HSBC remained unanswered as of press time Friday, while Standard Chartered and Barclays spokesperson declined to comment. Moneycontrol was the 1st to report that Torrent has revived its JB Chemicals buyout plans on Friday evening. Earlier this March, KKR sold a little above 5% stake in the open market via a block deal and raised Rs 1459 crore. 'Unlike Max Healthcare, where KKR sold significant chunks of the company, in JB Chemicals selling close to 50% would have been difficult. Torrent has always been keen but last time there was a difference in price expectations and the stock had significantly run up,' said an industry executive on condition of anonymity. In 2023, Torrent was aggressively pursuing a $7 billion buyout of Cipla that got aborted following differences within the promoter family. It also made a billion dollar play to take over Biogaran, France's largest generics company, from Servier last year, before the French government intervened to block the divestment. Torrent's current market capitalisation is Rs 1,13,184.61 crore with the promoters, the Mehta family, owning 68.21% of the company. TURNAROUND STORY Under CEO Nikhil Chopra, who was brought in by KKR from Cipla, JB Pharma has seen a significant ramp up in its sales and profitability. For the financial year 2024-25, JB Pharma recorded a revenue of Rs 3,918 crore compared to Rs 3,484 crore in FY23-24, registering 12 percent growth. JB Pharma has also aligned with Novartis to sell its new generation cardiovascular drug Izirize (inclisiran), demonstrating its deeper and innovative drugs presence in the cardiology market. In a recent interview with ET, Torrent Pharma MD designate Aman Mehta told ET recently that he is aiming to be in the top three slot in the Indian market in three to five years. "As far as the India market is concerned, we have reached the position today through mainly inorganic growth over the last decade." He added 'Our rank was much lower 10 years ago than it is today. That's certainly a big positive that has happened in the sense that from where we were to where we are, we are in a much stronger position to invest further and even grow the business from here.' While hinting at big buyouts, Mehta said, "I would say that from here onwards, acquisitions will continue to remain a priority. And the top three in the Indian market is something that we have our eyes on. Organically it may be difficult to achieve in the near term. But certainly through inorganic growth it seems quite possible, and may be in the next couple of years, if something materializes, that certainly is going to be part of our ambition."
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Business Standard
01-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Ban on popular heartburn drug Ranitidine deferred amid cancer concerns
If you've ever reached for a tablet after a spicy meal, chances are it was Ranitidine—commonly sold under brand names like Zinetac, Rantac, or Aciloc. For years, it has been the go-to remedy for acid reflux and heartburn. But lately, the drug has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Some studies have found that Ranitidine can contain N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a chemical possibly linked to cancer. Despite global apprehension regarding the potential carcinogenic impurity, Indian authorities have opted not to ban the widely used heartburn medication. Countries are banning Ranitidine. Why not India? Ranitidine has been under scrutiny since 2019, when studies indicated that it could degrade over time to form NDMA, a probable human carcinogen. This led to its withdrawal in several countries, including the United States, European Union, and Australia. Recently in India, an expert panel recommended the drug's suspension, but the Drug Advisory Committee decided instead to form a larger committee to evaluate all aspects. Following a meeting last week, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) also advised the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to conduct a study to assess Ranitidine's safety, The Economic Times reported. What is Ranitidine, and why was it so widely used? Developed in 1981 by Glaxo Holdings Ltd (now part of GlaxoSmithKline or GSK PLC), Ranitidine became one of the most widely used medications for managing stomach acid. Marketed under popular brands like Rantac, Zinetac, and Aciloc, it was readily available over the counter. The drug was widely used to relieve indigestion and heartburn, and to treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers. Despite being banned in several countries, Ranitidine remained a staple in Indian households for decades. Half of Ranitidine samples exceed global NDMA safety limits The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has taken measures to ensure patient safety. Last year, it formed a committee to examine NDMA-related safety concerns. Ranitidine samples were sent to a government lab for analysis, and the results raised concern. Out of 42 samples tested at the Central Drug Laboratory in Kolkata, 21 were found to have NDMA levels above 0.32 parts per million (ppm)—exceeding the internationally accepted safety limit. Long-term exposure to such levels has been linked to increased cancer risk. The controversy has sparked significant legal action globally. In the US, pharmaceutical companies such as GSK have faced numerous lawsuits alleging that Ranitidine caused cancer. So, should you still be taking it? Here's the honest answer: Talk to your doctor. If you're using Ranitidine occasionally and haven't experienced any issues, your doctor may still consider it acceptable. But if you're concerned, there are other alternatives that do not carry the same risk. For now, Ranitidine remains legally available in India, though regulators are keeping it under close observation.
Economic Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Ranitidine ban deferred despite cancer concerns
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: Despite concerns over presence of cancer causing agents in popular antacid Ranitidine and a recent recommendation by an expert panel for suspension of the drug, India's top drug advisory body has decided to ignore and form another "larger committee" to look into all aspects of the is widely sold in India under brand names like Aciloc, Rantac and a meeting held last week, the Drugs Technical Advisory Body (DTAB) also recommended that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) should conduct a study to assess the safety of the drug. The drug was withdrawn/suspended by regulatory bodies including the USFDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Australia among others,Last year a committee was constituted to examine the safety issue of Ranitidine in the light of the nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) experts got samples of Ranitidine tested at a government run laboratory. Of the 42 Ranitidine samples tested at the Central Drug Laboratory in Kolkata, 21 were found to contain NDMA impurities exceeding 0.32 PPM. This level surpasses the globally acceptable limit for the impurity, which is linked to an increased risk of cancer over a evaluating the global regulatory status of the drug and having found some of the samples in India exceeding the safety limit, the expert committee recommended for the "suspension of the drug Ranitidine for manufacture, sale and distribution in the country," it said. The committee also recommended that the people taking Ranitidine should consult their health care professional for other treatment options.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ranitidine ban deferred despite cancer concerns
New Delhi: Despite concerns over presence of cancer causing agents in popular antacid Ranitidine and a recent recommendation by an expert panel for suspension of the drug, India's top drug advisory body has decided to ignore and form another "larger committee" to look into all aspects of the drug. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack A Chinese shadow falls on Pahalgam terror attack case probe How India can use water to pressure Pakistan Buzzkill: How India can dissolve the Pakistan problem, not just swat it It is widely sold in India under brand names like Aciloc, Rantac and Zinetac. After a meeting held last week, the Drugs Technical Advisory Body (DTAB) also recommended that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) should conduct a study to assess the safety of the drug. The drug was withdrawn/suspended by regulatory bodies including the USFDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Australia among others, Last year a committee was constituted to examine the safety issue of Ranitidine in the light of the nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurity. The experts got samples of Ranitidine tested at a government run laboratory. Of the 42 Ranitidine samples tested at the Central Drug Laboratory in Kolkata, 21 were found to contain NDMA impurities exceeding 0.32 PPM. This level surpasses the globally acceptable limit for the impurity, which is linked to an increased risk of cancer over a lifetime. After evaluating the global regulatory status of the drug and having found some of the samples in India exceeding the safety limit, the expert committee recommended for the "suspension of the drug Ranitidine for manufacture, sale and distribution in the country," it said. The committee also recommended that the people taking Ranitidine should consult their health care professional for other treatment options.
