NATCO Pharma bids R4.2bn for Adcock Ingram in strategic move

NATCO puts in ambitious bid for 135-year-old South African pharmaceutical company

- EDWARD WEST

NATCO Pharma, a listed pharmaceutical manufacturer in India, has put in a bid to acquire 135-year old South Africa pharmaceutical group Adcock Ingram Holdings via a R4.2 billion deal involving a cash offer to minority shareholders.

Adcock Ingram’s share price rocketed on the JSE on Wednesday on news of the bid, with the share price ending 18.1% higher at R67.70. The offer was pitched at R75 per Adcock Ingram share, which represents a significant premium to the share price.

The offer comprises all the shares in Adcock Ingram, excluding those already held by NATCO Pharma and major shareholder Bidvest. Should the offer be accepted, NATCO Pharma will hold a 35.75% stake in Adcock Ingram, valued at R4bn, and the local manufacturer will be delisted from the JSE. Bidvest Group is the major shareholder in Adcock with a 64.25% stake.

NATCO Pharma is headquartered in Hyderabad, India, and develops, manufactures, and distributes generic and branded pharmaceuticals, speciality pharmaceuticals, active pharma ingredients, and crop protection products.