Mitsubishi Chemical Group has signed an agreement to sell its pharmaceutical business Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. to Bain Capital (Boston, Massachusetts). The cost of the transaction is ¥510 billion ($3.3 billion). The closing of this transaction is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, subject to a resolution at the annual shareholders’ meeting scheduled in June 2025.
Mitsubishi Chemical said after becoming a subsidiary in 2020, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma worked to create synergies between businesses through the mutual use of technology and human resources within the group, but changes in the industry and business structure have reduced the potential for synergies.
It said large-scale investment is essential to strengthen Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma’s research and development capacity and further growth, but such investment would not be a feasible option under Mitsubishi Chemical’s ownership.
Mitsubishi Chemical projects to achieve a gain of ¥95 billion in the second quarter of 2026 due to the transaction.
Mitsubishi Chemical plans to utilize the funds obtained through the transfer to improve its financial base by reducing debt, to enhance shareholder returns and to advance the company’s growth objectives centered on the chemicals business.
Mitsubishi Chemical for the fiscal first nine months ended Dec. 31 posted a net profit of ¥59.3 billion, down by 42.8% year over year, on sales up 2.7% to ¥3.3 trillion. Operating profit dropped 10.8% year over year, to ¥189.4 billion.
by Kartik Kohli
Source: chemweek.com
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