The founders of Cipla Ltd (CIPL.BO), India's second-largest drugmaker by sales, are in talks to sell their stake to global firms, the Economic Times reported on Friday, citing unnamed investment banking sources. The newspaper said the founders' holding was likely to be valued at around 80 billion rupees ($1.75 billion) and negotiations with Germany-based Merck KGaA (MRCG.DE) were at an advanced stage. The founders have appointed Kotak Investment Bank, and there were other suitors and a deal could be concluded this year, the paper said. Cipla denied there was any plan to sell the founders' holding.
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