MILAN, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Italian biopharma company Kedrion is to merge with British rival Bio Products Laboratory (BPL) to create a global player in the plasma-derivatives market with sales of 1.1 billion euros ($1.25 billion), FSI, one of its shareholders, said on Thursday. Private equity firm Permira said it would hold a controlling stake in the combined business, which employs more than 4,000 people worldwide. As part of the deal, funds advised by Permira and their co-investor Abu Dhabi Investment Authority agreed with Kedrion"s existing shareholders - the Marcucci family and FSI - to jointly acquire and combine Kedrion and BPL. FSI said it would reinvest in the new group together with the Marcucci family to support its next stage of growth. "The combination will create a global player for medicines derived from human blood plasma, which treat patients with rare and life threatening conditions," Permira said in its statement BPL Group was partly privatised in 2013, with a majority stake sold to Bain Capital. In 2016, BPL was bought by an investor group controlled by Chinese Tiancheng International Investment Ltd. Lazard, Natixis, Pedersoli and Carnelutti advised Kedrion"s shareholders. Morgan Stanley, EY, Giliberti Triscornia e Associati and Latham & Watkins worked with Permira. BofA Securities and Goodwin Procter advised BPL. ($1 = 0.8810 euros)