Strides Pharma Science has unlocked nearly Rs. 100 crore through the sale of a majority stake in its technology-enabled life sciences subsidiary, Pivot Path, as private equity firm Ascent Capital led a strategic investment that values the business at around Rs. 230 crore. 

 

The deal marks Strides' latest move to monetise high-growth businesses while retaining exposure to their future upside.

 

Following the transaction, Strides will retain an approximately 20% stake in Pivot Path, while the company will receive a fresh primary capital infusion of Rs. 50 crore to accelerate expansion and investments in agentic AI and digital technologies.

 

The transaction also strengthens Strides' balance sheet and positions Pivot Path for its next phase of independent growth after being carved out from the company's Global Capability Centre under an NCLT-approved Scheme of Arrangement in May 2026. Upon completion, Pivot Path will be reclassified as an associate company of Strides.

 

Originally incubated within Arco Lab Pvt. Ltd., Strides' Global Capability Centre, Pivot Path evolved from an internal services platform into an independent business as demand from external pharmaceutical and life sciences companies grew. 

 

The fresh capital will help Pivot Path expand internationally, strengthen its technology capabilities, and develop agentic AI platforms tailored for pharmaceutical and manufacturing clients.

 

For FY26, the carved-out business reported revenue of Rs. 144.7 crore, including services provided to Strides, and EBITDA of Rs. 16.9 crore, underscoring its profitable growth trajectory.

 

Commenting on the transaction, Badree Komandur, MD & Group CEO of Strides, said: "Pivot Path exemplifies Strides’ proven capability to identify, incubate and scale high-potential businesses. Over the past years, we have built a platform with specialised capabilities, a growing customer base and a strong foundation for future growth.

 

"As the business enters its next phase, we believe this is the right time to bring in a strategic investment partner with the expertise and capital to accelerate its growth. This transaction unlocks value for Strides, provides Pivot Path with the resources to scale independently, and allows Strides to retain meaningful participation in its future success.

 

"We are delighted to partner with Ascent Capital and its investor consortium, whose experience in building high-growth businesses will support Pivot Path's long-term ambitions."

 

Raja Kumar, Managing Director & Founder of Ascent Capital, said: "Pivot Path brings deep domain expertise across the core, non-discretionary segments of the pharmaceutical industry, capabilities that have been rigorously honed within the Strides stable.

 

"We are excited to partner with Pivot Path’s accomplished management team as the company enters its next phase of growth in one of the most dynamic environments the industry has seen."