InvAscent Expects Bids for Aizant Stake Soon

The PE firm owns just over 38% in the Hyderabad-based drugmaker

- Sneha Shah & Ranjani Raghavan

InvAscent, the firm that manages India Life Sciences Fund, is expecting binding bids for its stake in Hyderabad-based Aizant Drug Research Solutions Pvt. Ltd early next month.

The deal, which has been in the works for more than a year and a half, will see the healthcare-focused private equity (PE) firm sell a controlling stake in the company together with the promoters, three people aware of the development said.

Mint was the first to report in January 2024 InvAscent's interest in selling a controlling stake in the drug developer in a deal that could value the company at around $350-400 million.

"The deal is in fairly advanced stage. The binding bids are due in another fortnight. Some PE firms and strategics have shown interest," the first of the three persons cited earlier said, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. The person did not identify the potential buyers.