Ajanta Pharma has issued a formal clarification to stock exchanges denying its involvement in the acquisition of Restaurant Brands Asia, following incorrect media reports that suggested the pharmaceutical company was diversifying into the restaurant business.

Clarification on Media Reports

The company addressed reports published in The Economic Times on February 10, 2026, which incorrectly stated that "the transaction would mark the drugmaker's diversification into the fast-growing quick service restaurant sector." Ajanta Pharma emphasized that this reference was factually incorrect and inadvertent.

Actual Transaction Details

The pharmaceutical company clarified the true nature of the acquisition:

Company's Position

Ajanta Pharma stated that while a section of its promoter group manages and controls Lenexis Foodworks Pvt. Ltd., which is independently pursuing the Restaurant Brands Asia acquisition, Ajanta Pharma Limited and its management are not parties to the transaction in any manner. The company explicitly denied the rumors and speculation circulating regarding its involvement.

Regulatory Compliance

The clarification was submitted under Regulation 30(11) of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The company referenced a similar clarification it had submitted to stock exchanges on January 20, 2026, following earlier media reports on the same matter.

Communication to Exchanges

The formal clarification was signed by Gaurang Shah, Senior Vice President – Legal & Company Secretary, and submitted to both BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India on February 10, 2026. The company requested the exchanges to take the clarification on record and disseminate it to all concerned parties.

Ajanta pharma Limited has announced key decisions regarding its employee incentive programs, with the company's Nomination and Remuneration Committee approving significant changes to Stock Appreciation Rights and Employee Stock Options under its Share Based Incentive Plan 2019.

Committee Approvals on Employee Incentives

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors convened on 30 January 2026 to deliberate on matters related to the company's Share Based Incentive Plan 2019. The meeting resulted in two major decisions affecting the company's employee compensation structure.

Stock Appreciation Rights Vesting Details

The committee approved the vesting of 4,300 cash-settled Stock Appreciation Rights scheduled for 31 January 2026. These SARs were originally granted to employees on 30 January 2025, representing a one-year vesting period.

The vested SARs will be settled in cash based on the closing market price of Ajanta Pharma's equity shares on stock exchanges as of 2 February 2026. Since these are cash-settled instruments, no new equity shares will be issued, ensuring no dilution of existing shareholding.

Employee Stock Options Cancellation

Simultaneously, the committee approved the cancellation of 800 stock options that were previously granted under the Share Based Incentive Plan 2019. The cancellation became necessary as the respective grantees ceased to be employees of the company prior to the vesting period.

The cancelled stock options have been credited back to the company's ESOP pool, making them available for future grants to eligible employees. This standard practice ensures efficient utilization of the company's employee incentive resources.

Regulatory Compliance

The disclosure was made in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The announcement was communicated to both BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India, ensuring transparency in corporate governance practices related to employee compensation schemes.