Torrent Pharma set to acquire JB Chemicals in major deal

Torrent Pharmaceuticals has announced an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, currently backed by investment firm KKR, in one of India's largest pharmaceutical transactions in recent years. The deal is valued at an impressive INR 25,689-crore.

This strategic acquisition marks a significant consolidation play for Torrent Pharma, poised to expand its market presence and therapeutic offerings across India and key international markets.

The transaction will be executed in two distinct phases. Phase one will see Torrent Pharmaceuticals acquire a 46.3% stake in JB Chemicals from KKR for a sum of INR 11,917-crore.

Phase two will be a merger in which Torrent Pharmaceuticals and JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals will merge through a scheme of arrangement. Under this arrangement, JB Chemicals shareholders will receive 51 shares of Torrent Pharma for every 100 shares they hold.

Samir Mehta, executive director of Torrent Pharmaceuticals, said, "We are pleased to have on board the JB Pharma heritage and build on the platform for the future. Torrent's deep India presence and JB Pharma's fast-growing India business, combined with the CDMO and international footprint, offer immense potential to scale both revenue and profitability. This strategic alignment furthers our goal of strengthening our presence in the Indian pharma market and builds a larger, diversified global presence. Moreover, the CDMO platform provides a new long-term avenue of growth for Torrent."

Strategically, this acquisition offers several advantages for Torrent Pharmaceuticals. It provides a crucial foothold in new segments such as ophthalmology and grants access to JB Chemicals' established chronic care portfolio. Furthermore, the deal facilitates Torrent's entry into the contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) space, an area with long-term global growth potential.

A statement issued by Torrent Pharmaceuticals on its X handle said, "This milestone reflects our shared commitment to innovation, scale, and stakeholder value across the pharmaceutical ecosystem."

Business Announcement!#TorrentPharma has signed a definitive agreement with @KKR_Co to acquire controlling stake in @OneJBglobal.

This milestone reflects our shared commitment to innovation, scale, and stakeholder value across pharmaceutical ecosystem.#MergerandAcquisition pic.twitter.com/mLI55nNNn9

— Torrent Pharma (@TorrentPharmaIn) June 30, 2025

Nikhil Chopra, chief executive officer and whole-time director of JB Pharma, said, "Over the past five years, JB Pharma has emerged as one of India's fastest growing pharmaceutical players. As we now enter a new chapter alongside Torrent Pharmaceuticals, we are confident that the combined strengths of our organisations will unlock greater opportunities to enhance healthcare access across our markets."