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Goldshield, the drugs and healthcare group that was at the centre of a price-fixing probe two years ago, could shortly be on the end of a £140 million-plus all-cash bid.
Former chief executive Ajit Patel, who was charged along with the company by the Serious Fraud Office and stepped down in 2007 but won the case in 2008, today revealed that his backing for a bid comes from the Fuhrer family, owner of Israel's Neopharm group of companies.
The bidder, under the umbrella name of AIT Investments, said it was “actively pursuing a possible all-cash offer” and added that it was “completing its due diligence and expects to clarify its position shortly”.
Croydon-based Goldshield did not respond immediately.
Neopharm said it had been working closely with Patel in relation its offer and intended him to be involved in any bid.
The SFO case against Goldshield and four other drug distribution companies collapsed in 2008 after an eight-year investigation at an estimated cost of at least £25 million.
