Bain Capital is to take control of Plasma Resources UK, the major blood plasma supplier to the National Health Service. The private equity company was at one time headed by Mitt Romney, a former US Presidential aspirant.

It has been revealed to Sky News that Bain Capital is to purchase an 80% stake in Plasma Resources UK in a acquisition package worth at least GBP200 million.

The deal is a part of the UK Government's strategy of privatising non-core assets. Plasma Resources UK is just one of the companies in a list of businesses being sold to the private sector. Aside from Plasma Resources UK, the list includes Urenco, one of the country's nuclear fuel processor, Royal Mail, and portions of the student loan portfolio.

Insiders claimed that officials were uneasy with the idea of offering a major National Health Service vendor to a foreign private equity company.  Ministers eventually concluded that the package offered by Bain provided the best value.

The Government will maintain a 20% stake in the firm, and has warrants on the offer giving it a share on future profits.