Mukul Agrawal-backed pharma stock jumps 4.5% after Sandoz acquisition; FII increases stake

On Wednesday, the share price of Strides Pharma Science surged 4.50 per cent after the company announced the acquisition of multiple generic brands from Sandoz to strengthen its Africa business. As of 1:00 PM, the company’s share price is trading at Rs 916.

Strides Pharma Science strengthens Africa business with acquisition

Strides Pharma Science Ltd has announced the acquisition and in-licensing of multiple branded generic products from Sandoz across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. The transaction covers key markets including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Western Sahara, and includes products in segments such as anti-infectives, cardiovascular, and dermatology. 

The acquired portfolio comprises established brands across therapeutic segments such as anti-infectives, cardiovascular, and dermatology, with several products generating annual sales of over USD 1 million. The company will pay an upfront consideration of USD 12 million, along with additional royalty payments linked to future sales. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of Q2 FY27, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Management Commentary

Aditya Kumar, Executive Director, Business Development, said, “This acquisition represents a significant milestone for our ‘in Africa for Africa’ strategy. Africa is one of the fastest-growing geographies for us, and this transaction more than doubles our presence in the region, giving us the size and scale to accelerate our momentum, deepen market penetration, and further consolidate our leadership across key therapeutic areas. This investment is aligned with our long-term strategy, under which Ex-US markets are expected to evolve to mirror the scale of our US business within a couple of years. The combined portfolio strengthens our market position by enhancing our overall visibility in retail pharmacy and substantially increasing the depth and breadth of our offerings across the hospital network. We look forward to delivering enhanced value to patients and healthcare ecosystems across Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Shareholding Pattern: FII’s increases stake

FII holding in Strides Pharma Science Ltd witnessed a QoQ increase to 29.52 per cent in December 2025 from 28.51 per cent in September 2025. Promoter holding remained stable at 27.86 per cent QoQ, while DII holding increased slightly to 13.02 per cent from 12.98 per cent. Meanwhile, public shareholding declined QoQ to 29.59 per cent from 30.62 per cent.

Ace Investor Mukul Mahavir Agrawal holds a 1.16 per cent stake in Strides Pharma Science Ltd.

About Strides Pharma Science Ltd

Strides Pharma Science Ltd is a Bengaluru-based global pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products. The company primarily operates in regulated markets and follows an “in Africa for Africa” strategy, along with an institutional business catering to donor-funded markets. Its manufacturing facilities are located across India, Italy, Kenya, and the United States, supporting its presence in over 100 countries. The company focuses on producing complex and “difficult-to-manufacture” pharmaceutical products across key therapeutic segments.

The company has a market capitalisation of Rs 8,448 crore. It reported a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) of 14.7 per cent and a Return on Equity (ROE) of 151 per cent. Over the past five years, the company has delivered a net profit CAGR of 124 per cent.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.