Advanced Enzymes buys 70% stake in APIs maker JC Biotech

The Mumbai-based Advanced Enzyme Technologies Limited, a specialty biotech company that manufactures enzymes, has entered into definitive agreement to acquire 70 percent stake in the APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) maker JC Biotech for Rs 50 crores. 

C L Rathi, managing director, Advanced Enzymes, said, “We expect this deal to immediately strengthen our market leadership in API serratiopeptidase, giving us significant competitive advantage as well as flexibility in production. JC Biotech has the ability to handle solvent based fermentation & recovery, which is highly complementary to our current production process.” 

Headquartered in Hyderabad, JC Biotech is the manufacturer of API serratiopeptidase, an anti-inflammatory enzyme, and has a R&D pipeline of biopharma molecules. It also has a fairly advanced technology for the manufacturing of algal DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid which finds great application in human nutrition. JC Biotech has a production facility in Andhra Pradesh, and has the ability to expand its fermentation capacity of 60 cubic meter further. JC Biotech currently commands more than 50 percent share in the Indian market, thereby taking Advanced Enzymes’ combined market share to over 80 percent post-acquisition. 

As of March 31, 2016, JC Biotech’s revenues stood at Rs 39 crores, with a profit after tax (PA) of Rs 2.5 crores. The acquisition is expected to close latest by end of December 2016.