KKR mulls acquisition of healthcare technology firm GPI, Bloomberg News reports

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(Reuters) -KKR is considering a potential buyout of Italian health-care technology firm GPI SpA, as the U.S. investment firm scouts for takeover targets amid the recent market volatility, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

KKR has been in talks with advisers in recent weeks as it considers a potential deal to take Trento-based GPI private, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The report added that the discussions might not lead to a transaction.

KKR declined to comment, while GPI did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters.

An investment company backed by GPI Chief Executive Officer Fausto Manzana is the company’s biggest shareholder, with a 48% stake, equivalent to 57.3% of the voting rights, according to GPI’s website.

Europe is “a very interesting place to invest,” Henry Kravis, KKR’s co-founder told Bloomberg in an interview in May. KKR has invested about $30 billion since the start of the year, about half of that offshore.

British scientific instruments maker Spectris earlier this month agreed to a takeover offer from KKR, valuing it at 4.7 billion pounds ($6.31 billion).

($1 = 0.7452 pounds)

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)