JB Chemicals rises 4% on KKR to buy majority stake in firm

NEW DELHI: Shares of JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals jumped 4 per cent in Friday's trade after buyout major KKR said it will purchase majority stake from its promoters and announced an open offer to acquire 26 per cent more in the branded formulations company.

The acquirer announced an offer price of Rs 745, valuing the offer at Rs 1,496.95 crore. The offer price was higher than Thursday's close of Rs 715.40.

Following the development, the stock rose 3.71 per cent to hit a high of Rs 742, before paring some gains.

KKR Asia III Fund Investments, Tau Holdco Pte and PteTau Investment Holding will together buy up to 20,093,346 shares in the open offer, accounting for 26 per cent of the voting share capital.

If one attaches the premium promised by KKR, 50 per cent equity in the company is valued at over Rs 2,860 crore, which will be the minimum amount it will be investing, excluding the open offer.

According to filings, the promoter family owns 55 per cent of the company while the rest is with the public.

"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," KKR India Partner and CEO Sanjay Nayar said.

The deal, which comes amid a heavy hit to the Indian economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores KKR's commitment to "India's long-term economic prospects and the potential of its companies", Nayar added.

This is the third deal sealed by KKR in India in 2020, following its investments in five solar assets of Shapoorji Pallonji Infra and in Reliance Jio.

The KKR statement further said JB 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 statement said, adding it exports to over 40 countries.

KKR will be funding the investment from its Asian Fund III, it said.

"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," J B Mody, the founder, chairman and managing director of the company, said.

Avendus Capital served as the financial advisor to the company promoters, while ICICI Securities will be acting as the manager to the public offer.

The shares of the company closed 0.37 per cent higher at Rs 718.05 on BSE.