Carlyle Group is in exclusive discussions to buy drug research services provider Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD), Bloomberg reports. Other bidders for the company included Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Hellman & Friedman.

Most bids for PPD quoted about $4.3 billion. Carlyle is in talks with other private equity firms about teaming up with it for an offer for the company. Morgan Stanley is advising PPD for the deal.

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