Reuters reported on a late Friday evening:
U.S.-based Carlyle Group Inc has agreed to buy a 20% stake in the pharmaceutical unit of Indian conglomerate Piramal Enterprises Ltd for about $490 million, the companies said in a statement on Saturday.
The Carlyle Group invested in Piramal which produces 50% of global antibody drug conjugate. Antibody treatment is one method of curing people from COVID-19.
Carlyle made the deal as the U.S. and numerous states in the South and West hit record numbers of new cases on a daily basis. The disease has a long way to go to reach herd immunity.
Until then Carlyle affiliates can help test for COVID antibodies (Ortho Clinical), assist with blood plasma collection (MAK Systems), produce antibody drug conjugate (Piramal) and ensure the maximum hospital bill for COVID-19 patients (TrustHCS).
Update 1-11-23: The FDA reviewed a Piramal manufacturing plant in Kentucky. It found a number of issues but no details were provided.
