Blackstone targets Japan’s healthcare sector

TOKYO — Blackstone announced on Wednesday the sale of Alinamin Pharmaceutical, a Japanese over-the-counter drug maker it acquired in 2020, to Seoul-based private equity firm MBK Partners in a deal valued at 350 billion yen ($2.2 billion). The sale is the latest in a series of deals by the U.S. private equity giant in Japan’s health care sector.

Under Blackstone, Alinamin Pharmaceutical expanded into four Asian markets, added a skin care division and acquired the vitamin tablet company Alinamin.