Avendus inks ₹300 crore investment deal with Aragen Life Sciences, with JSA and SAM taking part in the transaction.

In a significant development, Avendus has announced the acquisition of a ₹300 crore stake in Aragen Life Sciences Limited, one of India's leading fully integrated contract research, development, and manufacturing organisations (CRDMOs) for both small molecules and biologics.

The transaction was advised by JSA Advocates & Solicitors, with Prakriti Jaiswal, Sidharrth Shankar, Rishika Agarwal, and Eksha Narayan forming part of the transaction team. Simultaneously, SBI Life Insurance Company Limited also invested in Aragen through a secondary round, having acquired its stake from Reddy Investment Trust.

Reddy Investment Trust, in turn, was advised by Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co on the sale of shares to Aragen and SBI. The legal team at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co included Karun Prakash, Sangamitra Sankaraiah, and Hitakshi Mahendru.

Aragen provides contract services across the entire cycle of drug development, from discovery to commercial manufacture. With this investment, the company is set to scale up its operations and further solidify its position as a leading CRDMO in India.

However, no new details about the specific drugs or projects Aragen is currently involved in were provided in this announcement. The company continues to maintain a strong focus on maintaining the confidentiality of its clients' projects.

The acquisition marks a significant step forward for Aragen, as it looks to expand its capabilities and serve an even wider range of clients in the pharmaceutical industry. With the support of Avendus and SBI Life Insurance Company Limited, the company is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for contract research and development services in India and beyond.

Avendus inks ₹300 crore investment deal with Aragen Life Sciences, with JSA and SAM taking part in the transaction.