Reghu Balakrishnan

Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa's Fairfax Group and Bain Capital are in competition for a buyout of Farmson Basic Drugs, a leading API maker in India valued at ₹4,000 crore. Founded in 1969, Farmson is a major paracetamol manufacturer with a revenue of ₹1,750 crore in FY24. The company's concentrated focus on paracetamol production is a strength, but limited R&D poses challenges for diversification.

Lal Sweets follows an omni-channel strategy, retailing its products across 4,000 modern trade outlets, 7,000 general trade outlets, quick-commerce platforms, e-commerce platforms, and its own website, according to the company. It also operates a travel-focused retail business with 40 outlets at various airports in the country.

GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, a Los Angeles-based healthcare BPO firm, is nearing acquisition by Hillhouse Investment, which has offered about $870 million. The final decision is expected in two weeks as ChrysCapital holds another round of negotiations. The acquisition will potentially see industry veterans Gautam Barai and Gautam Narayan at the helm.

Hillhouse Investment has emerged as the highest bidder to acquire GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, offering about $870 million for the Los Angeles-based healthcare BPO company that's majority owned by Indian private equity firm ChrysCapital, people in the know said.

Swedish private equity fund EQT is set to acquire Los Angeles-based healthcare BPO company GeBBS Healthcare Solutions for about $870 million. The deal, which outbid Hillhouse Investment, is expected to be signed soon. GeBBS, founded in 2005, employs 14,000 workers globally and competes with major firms like Wipro and IBM.

Synopsis KKR is talking to BookMyShow, India's largest online ticket-booking platform, to rejig the details of the $250-300 million investment it was planning for a minority stake. Zomato recently bought Paytm's live ticketing business in a deal valued at over Rs 2,000 crore.

Carlyle, Premji Invest, and Mizuho are vying to acquire a controlling stake in Avendus Capital from KKR. The investment bank, valued at Rs 5,500-6,000 crore, is known for its strong presence in M&As and public market transactions. Final offers are expected soon.

Brookfield, a Canadian asset manager, has invested $13 billion in India since 2009, focusing on infrastructure like toll roads and telecom towers. Recently, it acquired American Towers Corps telecom tower portfolio for $2.2 billion. Brookfield is now exploring new opportunities in smart meters, power transmission, and semiconductor fabrication units.

Just last week, it completed the $2.2-billion acquisition of American Towers Corp's telecom tower portfolio in India to emerge as the largest independent tower company in the world ex China.

The promoters and investors in Aragen Life Sciences (formerly GVK Bio), the Goldman Sachs-backed contract research organisation (CRO), plan to dilute about 10% stake at a valuation of ₹10,000-12,000 crore (up to $1.5 billion) in a pre-IPO round, said people aware of the development.