KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 14): IHH Healthcare Bhd’s indirect unit, Northern TK Ventures Pte Ltd (NTK), is seeking over 20 billion yen (approximately RM634 million) in damages from Japan’s Daiichi Sankyo Company Ltd (Daiichi Sankyo) in relation to the former's stake acquisition in India’s Fortis Healthcare.

NTK is also seeking an injunction to prevent Daiichi Sankyo from making defamatory remarks against NTK with respect to the Open Offers.

In a statement on Tuesday, the group said NTK had filed the claim against Daiichi Sankyo on Oct 16 in the Tokyo District Court in Japann.

“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,” it said.

In December 2018, IHH Healthcare terminated its open offer to buy an additional 26% stake in Fortis after a court ruling ordered status quo to be maintained after Daiichi filed a contempt plea against Fortis' founders.

Meanwhile, the group said the claim is not expected to have any material operational or financial impact on IHH.

At the time of writing, shares in IHH were one sen or 0.17% higher at RM5.90, giving it a market capitalization of RM51.96 billion.