Shanghai Pharma closes in on Celesio stake

FRANKFURT, Feb 24 (Reuters): Shanghai Pharmaceutical is close to acquiring a large stake in drug distributor Celesio from major shareholder Haniel, German paper Handelsblatt reported, citing financial sources. Investment company Franz Haniel & Cie GmbH is heavily indebted and has been looking for a prospective buyer of Celesio shares for more than a year, the paper said. As part of a five-year plan starting this year, Beijing aims for Chinese companies to increase investments abroad, it added. Shanghai Pharmaceutical hopes to raise nearly 900 million euros ($1.24 billion) through an initial public offering (IPO) in June, which would provide it with funds to finance the purchase of a stake in Celesio, the paper said.