By Anthony O. Goriainoff

Private-equity firm KKR said it hasn't received any acceptances for its 1.70 billion-pound ($2.32 billion) takeover bid for U.K. healthcare-property investor Assura by Friday.

KKR--which currently owns 164.5 million Assura shares, or 5.06% of its issued share capital--said Monday that its offer is open until 1200 GMT on Aug. 12, and encouraged Assura shareholders to accept it as soon as possible.

Assura has been at the center of a takeover battle between KKR and Primary Health Properties over recent months. Assura and PHP are two of the largest listed real estate investment trusts that specialize in healthcare facilities across the U.K.

On June 11 KKR raised its offer to buy Assura to a best and final price of 52.1 pence in cash a share, including dividends, from an initial price of 49.4 pence a share on April 9.

Assura subsequently agreed to a 1.79 billion-pound share and cash takeover from PHP on June 23.

On Friday the U.K. markets watchdog said it was considering whether PHP's acquisition of Assura would lessen competition in the healthcare-property sector as part of its information-gathering process. It said that no formal investigation has been opened.

It is inviting comments from interested parties on the deal by July 18.

Assura shares were up 0.1 pence, or 0.2%, at 50.1 pence in early morning European trading and are up 31% in the year to date.

Write to Anthony O. Goriainoff at anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 07, 2025 04:12 ET (08:12 GMT)

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