
Matrix Laboratories Ltd and Strides Arcolab on Saturday called off a planned merger following inability to agree on valuation. 8216;8216;The intention of the merger was based on a strong business strategy and the potential benefits of integration,8217;8217; a joint statement by the companies to the Bombay Stock Exchange said.
8216;8216;It is unfortunate that the agreement could not be reached on valuation, but the managements of the two companies recognise and will harness the strategic relationship envisaged in the rationale of the merger,8217;8217; the statement by Matrix executive chairman N. Prasad and Strides chief executive Arun Kumar said.
8216;8216;Managements of both the companies respect each others businesses and will continue to grow them independently while combining the strengths for mutual benefits,8217;8217; they said.
If they had merged, the new entity would have reported a revenue of Rs 1,000 crore, making it India8217;s 7th largest pharma company. The merger was expected to signal the beginning of consolidation in India8217;s pharma industry.
Since Matrix is largely an active pharmaceutical ingredients API player and Strides a generics and OTC player, the companies initially hoped that the merged entity would become a vertically-integrated organisation that will draw synergies from the two organisations.