NCLT sanctions amalgamation of Cohance Lifesciences into Suven Pharmaceuticals

HYDERABAD: The National Company Law Tribunal has sanctioned the scheme of amalgamation between contract development and manufacturing organisation (CMDO) players Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Cohance Lifesciences Ltd.

The amalgamation process of the two entities, which are controlled by PE giant Advent International, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of financial year 2025-26.

The amalgamation of the two entities, is expected to create a future-ready, diversified CDMO platform with a technology-led focus across three high-growth verticals—antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), oligonucleotides, and small molecules, Suven Pharmaceuticals said in a regulatory filing on Friday.

The combined entity will operate as an integrated, end-to-end partner to global innovator pharmaceutical companies, further supported by strong capabilities in the specialty CDMO and API+ business segments. The merged platform is expected to enhance scale, broaden customer offerings, and drive operational synergies that will fuel long-term growth, it said.

Suven Pharma executive chairman Vivek Sharma said the NCLT approval marks a milestone as the company embarks on a transformative phase. “This merger enhances our global capabilities, particularly in the growing and highly specialized areas of ADCs. With Cohance's unique technological platform in ADC, we are well-positioned to become a $1 billion revenue company in next five years with higher CDMO contribution,” he said.

Dr V Prasada Raju, managing director, Suven Pharmaceuticals, said the approval of the merger paves the way for building of a differentiated and innovation-led CDMO platform from India.

“The combined capabilities of Suven and Cohance position us strongly in high-growth areas such as ADCs, Oligonucleotides, and complex small molecules. These segments represent the future of pharmaceutical innovation, and our integrated approach—spanning development to commercial manufacturing—aims to deliver high-impact solutions to global innovator clients. We are also excited about the broader synergies this merger will unlock across our specialty CDMO and API+ business segments, enabling us to drive long-term value creation,” Raju said.

The company said under the terms of the amalgamation scheme, the merger will become effective from the opening business hours of the first day of the month immediately following the month in which all conditions specified under the scheme are fulfilled, including the receipt of approval from the department of pharmaceuticals, where applicable.

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