TORNTPHARM

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are her own.

By Shritama Bose

MUMBAI, May 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - India Inc's global M&A push is coming at an inopportune time for its government. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries SUN.NS last week agreed to buy U.S.-based Organon OGN.N for $11.8 billion, months after Tata Motors' TATM.NS $4.4 billion deal to acquire Iveco's IVG.MI trucks unit. A quest for new markets and technology promises more outbound approaches. That may eventually hand New Delhi reasons to feel displeased.

Cross-border acquisitions by Indian groups are on the rise. In 2025, large-ticket transactions like Tata Motors' Iveco purchase and IT firm Coforge's COFO.NS $2.4 billion acquisition of U.S.-based Encora contributed to a $26 billion splurge on overseas assets, the most active year by volume since 2010, per Dialogic.

It's sensible for Indian companies sitting on a large cash balance to deploy it in markets where valuation multiples are lower, rather than to acquire richly valued local peers. Sun Pharma trades at 33 times forward earnings and is paying just 4 times that metric for similarly sized Organon; smaller Indian rivals like Torrent Pharma TORP.NS and Divi's Laboratories DIVI.NS trade at much higher multiples.

Access to richer markets in Asia, Europe and the U.S. is also a big draw, as is technological know-how. Tata Motors' TAMO.NS 2008 buyout of Jaguar Land Rover helped build its local range of electric cars. The incentive to buy tech firms is especially high as India's own investment in R&D, at 0.7% of GDP, lags the global average of 2%.

Interest in external assets will intensify as advances in artificial intelligence force groups from outsourcers to drugmakers to level up. Manufacturers investing in areas like defence, vehicle components and consumer electronics will look to bridge India's capability gap with the rest of the world.

New Delhi has so far been sanguine about the trend, seeing it as a sign of India Inc's growing clout on the global stage. That could change as outbound fund flows add to rising pressures on external balances. With a surging energy import bill and fund outflows, India could be staring at a third straight financial year of a negative balance of payments in the 12 months to the end of March 2027.

Part of the cash being splurged overseas stems from a 2019 decision to sharply cut the corporate tax rate; officials hoped that would encourage firms to invest more locally to stimulate growth and employment. While private spending is showing signs of life, its contribution to GDP is below historical levels.

In time, New Delhi may find those dimensions of India Inc's overseas shopping spree unpalatable and act against them. Until then, there's little reason for companies to stop gazing outwards.

Follow Shritama Bose on LinkedIn and X.

CONTEXT NEWS

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries on April 27 said it will buy ​U.S. drugmaker Organon in an all-cash deal valuing the target at about $11.75 billion including debt, making it ‌the largest overseas acquisition by an Indian pharmaceutical company.

Indian IT services provider Coforge said on December 26 it would acquire artificial intelligence firm Encora at an enterprise value of $2.35 billion to boost its in-house artificial intelligence capabilities and expand its presence in the U.S. and Latin America.

(Editing by Antony Currie; Production by Ujjaini Dutta)

((For previous columns by the author, Reuters customers can click on BOSE/[email protected]))

April 10 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TORRENT PHARMA - USFDA INSPECTED OUR BILESHWARPURA (ONCOLOGY) FACILITY FROM 06-APR-26 TO 10-APR-26

• TORRENT PHARMA - USFDA INSPECTION OF BILESHWARPURA FACILITY CONCLUDES WITH ZERO OBSERVATION

Source text: ID:nBSE7YVnQ8

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))

**Morgan Stanley initiates Torrent Pharma TORP.NS with "Equal-weight" and PT of 4,580 rupees; and Mankind Pharma MNKI.NS with "Overweight" and PT of 2,500 rupees

**Brokerage says both the Indian pharma companies are long-term compounding franchises supported by chronic therapies, pricing, and new launches

**However, brokerage prefers MNKI on earnings recovery potential and scaling of BSV unit, plus supportive valuations

**Says TORP's growth and synergy potential already reflected in current valuations after recent re-rating

**Expects MNKI to have revenue growth at a CAGR of 11% from FY26 to FY28

**Sees TORP and JB Chemicals merger to have cost synergies of 3 billion rupees ($31.82 million) and 4.5 billion rupees in FY28 and FY29, respectively

**Shares of Torrent Pharma TORP.NS down 0.8% at 4,265 rupees, while Mankind Pharma MNKI.NS flat at 2,024 rupees

**YTD, TORP up 11.2%; MNKI down 7.6%

($1 = 94.2730 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Mridula Kumar in Bengaluru)

(([email protected];))

March 23 (Reuters) - At least half a dozen Indian generic drugmakers launched cheaper versions of Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic and weight‑loss drug Wegovy over the weekend, at globally unmatched prices and slashing treatment costs by about 70%.

The patent for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo's drugs, expired in India last week, paving the way for drugmakers to flood the market with dozens of brands.

Analysts expect more than 40 Indian drugmakers to launch over 50 cheaper variants.

Large Indian drugmakers are racing to capture a share of the global obesity market, projected to be worth about $100 billion by the end of the decade. They are eyeing overseas markets, including Canada, Brazil, Latin America, and Turkey, for future launches.

Here is a list of Indian drugmakers that have launched generic semaglutide in recent days:

SUN PHARMACEUTICAL SUN.NS

India's largest drugmaker by revenue launched semaglutide injectable under the brand name Noveltreat for chronic weight management in five dose strengths from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg and Sematrinity in two dose strengths for type 2 diabetes. Noveltreat is expected to cost around 900 to 2000 rupees ($9.58-$21.30) for weekly treatment, and Sematrinity will cost 750 to 1300 rupees ($7.99-$13.84), the company said.

DR REDDY'S LABORATORIES REDY.NS

The Hyderabad-based drugmaker launched semaglutide under the brand name Obeda for diabetes in 2 mg and 4 mg dose strengths in a disposable pen device format. Each pen of both strengths will deliver a minimum of four weekly doses and cost about 4200 rupees ($44.73) per month, the company said.

ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES ZYDU.NS

The company launched generic injectable semaglutide under three different brand names- Semaglyn, Mashema, and Alterme - for diabetes and obesity treatment in a reusable pen device. The average monthly cost of the treatment will be approximately 2,200 rupees ($23.43), the company said.

TORRENT PHARMACEUTICALS TORP.NS

The company launched an oral and injectable semaglutide drug under the brand names Sembolic and Semalix. The starting price for the injectable drugs would be 3,999 rupees ($42.59) per month, the company said.

GLENMARK PHARMACEUTICALS GLEN.NS

Glenmark launched injectable semaglutide, branded as GLIPIQ, in vial and pen formats for diabetes treatment. The vial is estimated to cost around 1,300 to 1,760 rupees for a month's usage. ($13.84-$18.74).

ALKEM LABORATORIES ALKE.NS

The company said its semaglutide, launched under three brand names - Semasize, Obesema, and Hepaglide - will be available in a pre-filled disposable injection pen and cost starting at 1,800 rupees ($19.17) per month.

ERIS LIFESCIENCES ERIS.NS

The company launched generic semaglutide in a vial format named 'Sundae.' The starting price for the multi-dose vials is 1,290 rupees ($13.74) per month. Eris is also in partnership with Natco Pharma NATP.NS, which has also launched its own generic semaglutide, for commercial manufacturing of the drug.

($1 = 93.9000 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Rashmi Aich)

(([email protected];))

March 21 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TORRENT PHARMA - PHARMA FIRST TO LAUNCH GENERIC ORAL SEMAGLUTIDE IN INDIA

• TORRENT PHARMA - PHARMA LAUNCHES SEMBOLIC AND SEMALIX SEMAGLUTIDE BRANDS IN INDIA

• TORRENT PHARMA: LAUNCHED WITH A STARTING PRICE RS. 3,999 PER MONTH

Source text: ID:nBSEc4wZtW

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))

** Shares of India's Torrent Pharma TORP.NS jumps 5.4% to 4300 rupees; set for biggest single-day pct gain since July 2025

** Drugmaker posted 26% y/y rise in Q3 net profit to 6.35 billion rupees ($70.04 million), declared a dividend of 29 rupees per share

** Jefferies ("Buy", PT:4690 rupees) says co's December-quarter profit rose broadly in line with estimates, aided by strong India and Brazil performance

** Ambit ("Buy", PT:4150 rupees) says profit was supported by strong branded-market growth, and US launch-led momentum, with margins steady on operating leverage

** Brokerage Antique ("Buy", PT:4610 rupees) attributes the in-line profit to India's outperformance, US launch momentum, and Brazil's strength, driving revenue growth and stable margins

** TORP rated "buy" on average by 27 analysts, PT at 4141 rupees -- data compiled by LSEG

** TORP gained 14.6% in 2025, and the stock jumped ~6% so far in 2026

($1 = 90.6590 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru)

(([email protected] | X: https://twitter.com/SurbhiMisra_ |;))

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TORRENT PHARMA Q3 CONSOL NET PROFIT 6.35 BILLION RUPEES

• TORRENT PHARMA - DIVIDEND 29 RUPEES PER SHARE

• TORRENT PHARMA Q3 CONSOL TOTAL REVENUE FROM OPERATIONS 33.03 BILLION RUPEES

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• CO BUYS 2.36% STAKE OF J.B. CHEMICALS

• FOLLOWING ACQUISITION, HOLDS 48.75% OF JB CHEMICALS EQUITY

Source text: ID:nNSE91DwlC

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];;))

Jan 21 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF JB CHEMICALS SHARES

Source text: ID:nNSEKKsyK

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];;))

MUMBAI, Jan 19 (Reuters) - India's Torrent Pharmaceuticals TORP.NS has accepted bids worth 110 billion rupees ($1.21 billion) through multiple maturity bonds in the largest acquisition-funding deal so far this financial year, two bankers said on Monday.

The company raised 20 billion rupees through two-year bonds, 25 billion rupees through three-year bonds, 30 billion rupees through four-year papers and 35 billion rupees via a five-year debt.

The company invited commitment bids for all issues on Friday and secured large mutual funds and pension funds as anchor investors.

Torrent is raising funds for acquiring a controlling stake in JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals. The company will acquire a controlling stake in JB at an equity valuation of about 257 billion rupees on a fully diluted basis, to be followed by a merger of the two companies.

Torrent Pharma did not reply to a Reuters email seeking comment.

Here is the list of deals reported so far on January 19:

* Size includes base plus greenshoe for some issues

($1 = 90.7112 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Dharamraj Dhutia; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

(([email protected]))

MUMBAI, Jan 14 (Reuters) - India's Torrent Pharmaceuticals TORP.NS plans to raise 110 billion rupees ($1.22 billion) through multiple maturity bonds in what would be the largest acquisition-funding deal so far this financial year, two bankers said on Wednesday.

The company plans to raise 20 billion rupees through two-year bonds, 25 billion rupees through three-year bonds, 30 billion rupees through four-year papers and 35 billion rupees through a five-year debt, the bankers said.

The company has invited commitment bids for all issues on Friday, and has tied up with large mutual funds and pension funds as anchor investors.

Torrent is raising funds for acquiring a controlling stake in JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals. The company will acquire a controlling stake in JB at an equity valuation of about 257 billion rupees on a fully diluted basis, to be followed by a merger of the two companies.

Torrent Pharma did not reply to a Reuters email seeking comment.

Here is the list of deals reported so far on January 14:

*Size includes base plus greenshoe for some issues

($1 = 90.0438 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Dharamraj Dhutia; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

(([email protected]))

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• APPROVES ISSUANCE OF NCDS UP TO 125 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSE21y9Xq

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))

Dec 30 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TO CONSIDER ISSUANCE OF SECURED NON-CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES

Source text: ID:nBSE5bV32x

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))

By Khushi Malhotra and Dharamraj Dhutia

MUMBAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - India’s Jayaswal Neco JAYN.NS is refinancing costly high-yield debt with a lower-cost mix of term and working-capital loans, two sources said on Friday, adding the company is seeking about 22 billion rupees ($246 million) in fresh facilities.

The fresh borrowings are expected to carry interest of around 12.50%, sharply lower than the 17.50% coupon on the current high-yield bond, one of the sources said. The term loan will likely have a tenor of about six years with a call option after roughly 20 months, the person added.

"This would include 17 billion rupees of a term loan and 5 billion rupees of working capital, and the deal is set to be completed in the first half of December," one of the sources said.

The term loan is likely to carry a tenor of about six years, with a call option kicking in after 20 months.

The sources could not be named as they are not authorised to speak to media. Jayaswal did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comment.

A rating upgrade by a notch from India Ratings to BBB+ has helped secure cheaper funding, the sources said.

"The rating reflects Ind-Ra's expectation of JNIL's improved operational and financial profile in FY26 due to increased capacity utilisation and higher sales volumes," the rating agency said.

($1 = 89.4600 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Khushi Malhotra and Dharamraj Dhutia; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

(([email protected];))

Sept 25 (Reuters) - SA's Competition Commission :

• SA'S COMPETITION COMMISSION : RECOMMENDS COMPETITION TRIBUNAL APPROVE TOYOTA FUDSON & TOYOTA MOTOR DEAL TO BUY TOYOTA INDUSTRIES , WITHOUT CONDITIONS

• SA'S COMPETITION COMMISSION : APPROVED PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEREBY TORRENT PHARMACEUTICALS INTENDS TO BUY JB PHARMA, WITH CONDITIONS

Further company coverage: 6201.T

(([email protected];))

Sept 24 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TORRENT PHARMA - ISSUED COMMERCIAL PAPERS FOR AN AMOUNT OF 2 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nnAZN4KJ6P6

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))

Sept 23 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TO BUY CONTROLLING STAKE IN J. B. CHEMICALS

• COMPETITION COMMISSION, SOUTH AFRICA APPROVES CO TO ACQUIRE STAKE IN J. B. CHEMICALS

Source text: ID:nBSE6GP2bl

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];;))

Sept 17 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TORRENT PHARMA - ISSUED COMMERCIAL PAPERS FOR AN AMOUNT OF 2 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nNSE7WpRbJ

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];;))

This is an excerpt of the Health Rounds newsletter, where we present latest medical studies on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here

By Nancy Lapid

Sept 3 (Reuters) - The commonly prescribed blood thinner clopidogrel should replace aspirin as a routine pill for preventing heart attacks and strokes in people who already have at least some degree of heart disease, researchers reported at the European Society of Cardiology Congress.

Pooled data on nearly 29,000 patients with coronary artery disease who had participated in seven earlier randomized trials showed that those taking clopidogrel had a 14% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death, compared to those taking aspirin, during an average follow-up of 5.5 years.

“These results suggest that clopidogrel should be considered the preferred long-term antiplatelet medication for patients with established coronary artery disease,” the researchers said.

Clopidogrel is the generic name of the widely used blood clot preventer Plavix, sold by Bristol Myers Squibb BMY.N and Sanofi SASY.PA. Several companies sell generic clopidogrel including Aurobindo Pharma ARBN.NS, Sun Pharma SUN.NS and Teva Pharmaceuticals TEVA.TA.

Rates of anticoagulant-related side effects like ulcers and major bleeding were similar between the two drugs, dispelling concerns that clopidogrel might lead to more bleeding complications, the researchers said.

The researchers said their analysis included many types of patients and subgroups to ensure the findings, which were also published in The Lancet, applied broadly.

“Even patients who might respond less well to clopidogrel due to genetic or clinical factors still benefited from its use over aspirin,” the researchers said in a statement.

Because clopidogrel is widely available and inexpensive, the study’s findings have the potential to influence clinical guidelines worldwide and improve patient outcomes, the researchers said.

RECYCLED PACEMAKERS IMPROVE ACCESS IN LOW-INCOME NATIONS

Cardiac pacemaker devices can be reconditioned to provide new hope for patients in low- and middle-income countries, researchers said at the ESC meeting in Madrid.

In Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Paraguay, Sierra Leone and Venezuela, 306 patients with a life expectancy of at least two years, a clear medical need for pacemaker therapy and no financial means to acquire one were randomly assigned to receive a reconditioned pacemaker or a new pacemaker.

The researchers’ primary concern was that reconditioned devices, which had been removed from other patients, might transmit infections when re-implanted.

A year after the pacemakers were implanted, the incidence of procedure-related infections was 1.6% for those in the reconditioned pacemaker group and 3.1% for those who got new devices. The results demonstrate that the older devices were non-inferior to new ones, the researchers said in a statement.

There were no device malfunctions in either group.

The study was conducted by doctors at the University of Michigan-based Project My Heart Your Heart, which collects pacemakers removed from cadavers by funeral directors.

“Patients in many low- and middle-income countries still have very limited access to cardiac pacing despite its routine use in higher-income countries,” study leader Dr. Thomas Crawford from the University of Michigan said in a statement.

“Indeed, access to pacemaker implantation is around 200-fold lower in Africa than in Europe," Crawford said.

Project My Heart Your Heart developed a comprehensive protocol for cleaning, functional testing and sterilizing reconditioned devices, and has U.S. approval for their export to countries whose governments have provided permission for pacemaker importation, he added.

(To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here)

(Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

(([email protected]))

Health Rounds is published on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also subscribe here

By Nancy Lapid

Sept 2 (Reuters) - Hello Health Rounds readers! Today we highlight two studies presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Madrid, one that compared widely used blood thinners for preventing serious heart problems, and one that tested the safety of reusing cardiac pacemakers.

Clopidogrel tops aspirin for routine use in heart patients

The commonly prescribed blood thinner clopidogrel should replace aspirin as a routine pill for preventing heart attacks and strokes in people who already have at least some degree of heart disease, researchers reported at the European Society of Cardiology Congress.

Pooled data on nearly 29,000 patients with coronary artery disease who had participated in seven earlier randomized trials showed that those taking clopidogrel had a 14% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death, compared to those taking aspirin, during an average follow-up of 5.5 years.

“These results suggest that clopidogrel should be considered the preferred long-term antiplatelet medication for patients with established coronary artery disease,” the researchers said.

Clopidogrel is the generic name of the widely used blood clot preventer Plavix, sold by Bristol Myers Squibb BMY.N and Sanofi SASY.PA. Several companies sell generic clopidogrel including Aurobindo Pharma ARBN.NS, Sun Pharma SUN.NS and Teva Pharmaceuticals TEVA.TA.

Rates of anticoagulant-related side effects like ulcers and major bleeding were similar between the two drugs, dispelling concerns that clopidogrel might lead to more bleeding complications, the researchers said.

The researchers said their analysis included many types of patients and subgroups to ensure the findings, which were also published in The Lancet, applied broadly.

“Even patients who might respond less well to clopidogrel due to genetic or clinical factors still benefited from its use over aspirin,” the researchers said in a statement.

Because clopidogrel is widely available and inexpensive, the study’s findings have the potential to influence clinical guidelines worldwide and improve patient outcomes, the researchers said.

Recycled pacemakers improve access in low-income nations

Cardiac pacemaker devices can be reconditioned to provide new hope for patients in low- and middle-income countries, researchers said at the ESC meeting in Madrid.

In Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Paraguay, Sierra Leone and Venezuela, 306 patients with a life expectancy of at least two years, a clear medical need for pacemaker therapy and no financial means to acquire one were randomly assigned to receive a reconditioned pacemaker or a new pacemaker.

The researchers’ primary concern was that reconditioned devices, which had been removed from other patients, might transmit infections when re-implanted.

A year after the pacemakers were implanted, the incidence of procedure-related infections was 1.6% for those in the reconditioned pacemaker group and 3.1% for those who got new devices. The results demonstrate that the older devices were non-inferior to new ones, the researchers said in a statement.

There were no device malfunctions in either group.

The study was conducted by doctors at the University of Michigan-based Project My Heart Your Heart, which collects pacemakers removed from cadavers by funeral directors.

“Patients in many low- and middle-income countries still have very limited access to cardiac pacing despite its routine use in higher-income countries,” study leader Dr. Thomas Crawford from the University of Michigan said in a statement.

“Indeed, access to pacemaker implantation is around 200-fold lower in Africa than in Europe," Crawford said.

Project My Heart Your Heart developed a comprehensive protocol for cleaning, functional testing and sterilizing reconditioned devices, and has U.S. approval for their export to countries whose governments have provided permission for pacemaker importation, he added.

(Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

(([email protected]))

Updates

** Shares of Torrent Pharma TORP.NS climb as much as 2.5% to a record high of 3,713.1 rupees

** Stock is second-top gainer in the pharma sub-index .NIPHARM, which is up 0.18%

** The drugmaker's Q1 consol net profit up 20% y/y on strong demand for drugs used to treat long-term conditions

** At least 10 brokerages increased PTs after the results, raising median PT to 3,800 rupees from 3,580 rupees last month, as per data compiled by LSEG

** HSBC says continued traction in TORP's India and Brazil segments, a pick-up in U.S. sales to support a healthy EBITDA margin outlook

** Co expects EBITDA margins of at least 32.9% for the remaining quarters of FY26; its operating EBITDA margins stood at 32.5% in Q1

** Jefferies expects TORP's India, Brazil sales to continue outperforming, while losses in U.S. likely to reduce through fiscal year

** TORP up ~8% YTD, as of Monday's close

(Reporting by Manvi Pant in Bengaluru)

(([email protected]; +918447554364;))

July 28 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• Q1 CONSOL NET PROFIT 5.48 BILLION RUPEES

• Q1 CONSOL TOTAL REVENUE FROM OPERATIONS 31.78 BILLION RUPEES; IBES EST 31.57 BILLION RUPEES

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))

July 21 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• BOARD TO CONSIDER DEBENTURE/BOND ISSUANCE

• TO CONSIDER ISSUE VIA PRIVATE PLACEMENT

Source text: ID:nBSE3p8mYb

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];;))

July 3 (Reuters) - J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd JBCH.NS:

• AGREES TO BUY FURTHER 2.41% STAKE OF J.B. CHEMICALS FOR ABOUT 6.2 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSE82mH2n

Further company coverage: JBCH.NS

(([email protected];))

Corrects to add dropped word "billion" in bullet 3

** India's JB Chem and Pharma JBCH.NS plunges 6.3% to 1,688 rupees

** Larger rival Torrent Pharma TORP.NS to buy controlling 46.4% stake in JBCH from private equity firm KKR at 1,600 rupees per share, an 11% discount to JBCH's closing price on Friday

** Deal also values JBCH at 256.89 billion rupees ($3 bln), a 2.7% discount to its market cap

** Shares of TORP climb 0.6%

** Analysts say JBCH buy would give TORP access to its popular brands including "Rantac", "Metrogyl" and "Sporlac"

** Avg rating on JBCH at "strong buy", while TORP rated "buy" - data compiled by LSEG

** YTD, JBCH down 8.8% vs TORP's 0.3% decline

($1 = 85.4650 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Kashish Tandon in Bengaluru)

(([email protected]))

By Abu Sultan and Mrinmay Dey

June 29 (Reuters) - India's Torrent Pharmaceuticals TORP.NS said on Sunday it will acquire a 46.39% controlling stake in smaller peer JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals JBCH.NS from New York-based investment firm KKR KKR.N, and plans to merge the two drugmakers.

The transaction, announced in a joint statement released by the three companies, implies a total equity valuation of 256.89 billion rupees ($3.01 billion) for JB Pharma on a fully diluted basis.

"This strategic alignment furthers our goal of strengthening our presence in the Indian pharma market, and building a larger diversified global presence," Torrent Executive Chairman Samir Mehta said in the statement.

Under the terms of the deal, Torrent will initially acquire an equity stake in JB Pharma from KKR for 119.17 billion rupees.

Following this, Torrent will launch a mandatory open offer to acquire up to an additional 26% of JB Pharma shares from public shareholders at 1,639.18 rupees per share.

Torrent also signaled its intent to acquire up to 2.80% of equity shares from certain JB Pharma employees, the company said.

The second phase of the transaction involves a merger of Torrent and JB Pharma through a scheme of arrangement. Upon merger, JB Pharma shareholders will receive 51 Torrent shares for every 100 JB Pharma shares held.

KKR also confirmed the deal in a separate statement.

"We are confident that the combined strengths of our organizations will unlock greater opportunities to enhance healthcare access across our markets," said JB Pharma CEO Nikhil Chopra.

India is Torrent's biggest market by revenue, where it competes with peers such as Mankind Pharma MNKI.NS.

Torrent offers drugs used to treat cancer, infections and diabetes, and has benefited from steady demand for its specialty and chronic illness drugs.

For the January-March quarter, its consolidated net profit was up 11% from a year earlier.

JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, meanwhile, reported higher fourth-quarter profit in May.

Along with the steady market for its gastrointestinal medicines, Metrogyl and Sporlac, the company also benefitted from demand for its drugs that treat chronic conditions such as hypertension.

($1 = 85.4400 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Abu Sultan and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Joe Bavier)

(([email protected];))

June 26 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• TORRENT PHARMA - ISSUED COMMERCIAL PAPERS FOR AN AMOUNT OF 3 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSE5cWXrj

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];;))

June 20 (Reuters) - Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd TORP.NS:

• ISSUES COMMERCIAL PAPERS WORTH 2 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSEV7Cdc

Further company coverage: TORP.NS

(([email protected];))