TOKYO - Private equity firm Blackstone is nearing a deal to sell Japanese supplement maker Alinamin Pharmaceutical to North Asian buyout fund MBK Partners for 350 billion yen ($2.17 billion), a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday.

The deal is expected to be signed soon, said the person, who declined to be identified as the information was private.

MBK, Blackstone and Alinamin declined to comment.

Blackstone had agreed in August 2020 to acquire Alinamin, then a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical 4502.T, according to an announcement from the private equity firm at the time.

Nikkei first reported Blackstone's planned sale of Alinamin earlier on Tuesday.

MBK aims to use its experience in consumer goods acquisitions to boost Alinamin's value, the Nikkei reported.

Previously known as Takeda Consumer Healthcare Co, Alinamin provides over-the-counter medicines in Japan.

After Blackstone's takeover, the company set up a unit in Taiwan and increased its overseas sales, the Nikkei reported.

($1 = 161.5500 yen)

(Reporting by Anton Bridge in Tokyo and Kane Wu in Hong Kong; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Jamie Freed)