Chinese lighting company MLS Co is the frontrunner to buy Osram Light’s light bulb and LED-lamp business. Osram may choose a winner for the asset as soon as this month. MLS is attempting to buy Osram’s asset as part of a consortium, and is in negotiations about the structure of the deal and the company’s intellectual property. The Chinese firm may pay less than €500 million. Osram is still in discussions with various interested parties. Osram is selling the general lamps business, which generates about 36% or €2 billion of the Munich-based company’s annual sales, to focus on research and development (R&D), products for the automotive industry and lighting solutions for buildings and cities. The world’s second largest lighting company has been under pressure as the demand for traditional lighting gives way to light-emitting diode (LED) technology. Osram’s largest shareholder, Siemens, has accused Osram’s management of destroying shareholder value by pursuing unprofitable projects, the China Daily reports.