BENGALURU – IHH Healthcare, dual-listed in Malaysia and Singapore, said its unit filed a claim against Japan’s Daiichi Sankyo in mid-October seeking damages in excess of 20 billion yen (S$179.5 million) in relation to its stake buy in India’s Fortis Healthcare.

On Oct 16, Northern TK Venture (NTK) filed a claim against the Japanese pharmaceuticals manufacturer stating it caused losses to the company by preventing it from proceeding with open offers to buy a stake in Fortis Healthcare in 2018.

IHH Healthcare in December 2018 halted its open offer to buy an additional 26 per cent stake in Fortis after a court ruling ordered the status quo to be maintained after Daiichi filed a contempt plea against Fortis founders, according to media reports.

“The claims filed by NTK against Daiichi Sankyo are tort claims premised on the latter’s unlawful interference with NTK’s trade or business, conspiracy of Daiichi Sankyo and other persons, malicious falsehood and defamation under the applicable substantive laws,” IHH Healthcare said on Tuesday.

A tort claim is a wrong that arises in court citing injury or harm to a party.

NTK is also seeking an injunction to prevent Daiichi Sankyo from defaming NTK in future, said IHH Healthcare, Asia’s largest private healthcare group.

Shares of the Singapore-listed counter closed one cent, or 0.6 per cent, higher at $1.71 on Tuesday. REUTERS