After Gland, Chinese pharma giant Fosun eyes API maker Symbiotec

By DIVYA RAJAGOPAL, ET Bureau|Oct 01, 2017

Weeks after Chinese pharmaceutical giant Fosun tweaked its acquisition of Hyderabad-based Gland Pharma for $1 billion (Rs 6,500 crore), it is out shopping again to further strengthen its India presence. 

Shanghai-based Fosun Pharmaceutical is in talks to acquire the manufacturing facilities of Symbiotec Pharma, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) maker specialising in steroid-hormone products, said a person with knowledge of the talks. 

Symbiotec, backed by private equity fund Actis that holds a 70% stake in the company, has been an acquisition target for other drug makers like Mylan and PE players such as Baring PE Asia after the Indore-based company was put up for sale. 

Investment bank Rothschild has been mandated to initiate an auction process. The mid-size player complies with the quality standards of the US Food and Drug Administration. Symbiotec had reported $62 million of sales in 2015-16, according to the company's website. It is reportedly looking at a valuation of $500 million. Emails sent to Fosun and Symbiotec on Friday did not receive any response till press time on Sunday. 

Actis also did not respond to an email seeking comment. Fosun's decision to step up its India play comes after it was forced to rework its Gland Pharma buyout plans on account of rising concerns over Chinese influence on India's drug industry. 

Last month, the company said it would buy 74% of Gland, thereby making the deal eligible for automatic approval under India's new foreign direct investment rules. 

Investment bankers and consultants working on pharma deals in India and China said despite the tension created by the Chinese entry into India's pharma M&A space, there is a renewed interest among Chinese drug manufacturers to look at Indian assets. The perceived delay in clearing the Gland-Fosun deal hasn't detErred the mood.

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