Talks between BlackRock Inc. and Pamplona Capital Management LLP regarding BlackRock's potential acquisition of a stake in Cofense Inc. have broken down, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

In 2018, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. had asked Pamplona Capital to sell off its stake, according to the news outlet, due to concerns related to the level of foreign money behind Pamplona Capital and concerns about national security.

Earlier in 2019 it was reported that BlackRock, which owns a 30% interest in Cofense, was in advanced discussions to take over Cofense from Pamplona Capital, which holds a 47% stake in the cybersecurity firm.