European private equity firm Apax Partners will make a second and final close on its ninth buyout fund at the upper limit of $9 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The firm held a first close on Apax IX - which will be its second global fund, according to its website - on $7.9 billion in June. It is now in the process of tying up loose ends and will close the fund within two months, the people said.