LONDON: AstraZeneca AZN.L is making a multi-billion dollar push into China, announcing a major investment and a new obesity drug partnership, as it prepares for a high-profile U.S. stock listing that underscores the pharmaceutical giant’s delicate balancing act between its two most critical markets. The British drugmaker said on Thursday it plans to invest $15…
AstraZeneca agrees obesity and T2D deal with CSPC
LONDON: AstraZeneca strengthens its weight management portfolio through a new strategic collaboration agreement with CSPC Pharmaceuticals to advance the development of multiple next-generation therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes across eight programmes. Under this agreement, the companies will initially progress four programmes, which utilise CSPC’s advanced AI-driven peptide drug discovery platform and their proprietary…
Australia’s AUI agrees to merge with Diversified United Investment in $2.5 billion deal
SYDNEY: Australian United Investment Company Ltd (AUI.AX) on Friday announced a proposed merger with Diversified United Investment Ltd (DUI.AX), creating a combined listed investment entity with an equity value of approximately A$2.53 billion ($1.7 billion). The all-share deal, structured as a scheme of arrangement, will see AUI acquire all DUI shares it does not already…
British Land to acquire Life Science REIT in £150 million deal
LONDON – Property group British Land (BLND.L) has agreed to acquire real estate investment trust Life Science REIT (LABS.L) in a recommended cash and share deal valuing its smaller rival at approximately £150 million, the companies announced on Wednesday. The acquisition will bolster British Land’s footprint in the high-demand “Golden Triangle” of Oxford, Cambridge, and…
Develop North PLC appoints Michelle Percy as its new Chief Executive Officer
LONDON: Develop North PLC, the North East England based investment company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Percy as its new Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Her appointment comes as the Company enters the next phase of its growth following the publication of its prospectus and the launch of a £58 million…
bioMérieux buys Accellix to boost cell and gene therapy quality control
PARIS: French diagnostics group bioMérieux said on Thursday it has acquired U.S.-based Accellix, a developer of rapid, automated flow cytometry platforms, in a deal worth around €35 million. The acquisition strengthens bioMérieux’s pharmaceutical quality control business and expands its portfolio of solutions for advanced therapies, including cell and gene treatments. Accellix’s compact platform delivers results…
Future plc acquires SheerLuxe and BLUSH Talent for up to £80 million
LONDON: Future plc announced the acquisitions of 100% of SheerLuxe Ltd and BLUSH Talent MGMT Ltd, a UK-based digital publishing group that combines the authority of a trusted media brand with the authenticity and engagement of the creator economy. The acquisition is for an initial cash consideration of £39.9m funded from existing facilities, with an…
OEP Capital-backed bidco to acquire UK wholesaler Kitwave in £251 million deal
LONDON: Kitwave Group plc, a leading UK delivered wholesale business, announced on Wednesday a recommended cash acquisition by Kite UK Bidco Limited, a newly-formed entity indirectly owned by funds managed by private equity firm OEP Capital Advisers, L.P. Under the terms of the deal, Kitwave shareholders will receive 295 pence per share in cash, valuing…
Drax Group agrees to acquire Flexitricity Limited for £36 million
LONDON – Drax Group has signed an agreement to acquire Flexitricity Limited, a UK-based optimiser of flexible energy assets, from Quinbrook. The transaction values Flexitricity at £36 million, which is subject to customary closing adjustments. Completion is expected in Q1 2026 and is conditional on completion of regulatory approvals and processes. The transaction is expected…
City of London Investment Group appoints Cooper Abbott as Chief Executive Officer
LONDON: City of London Investment Group (LSE: CLIG), a leading specialist asset management group offering a range of institutional and retail products announced the appointment of Cooper Abbott as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director with immediate effect. This appointment follows a thorough search process undertaken by the Nomination Committee of the Board. Cooper Abbott…
VertiGIS to buy UK software firm 1Spatial in £87 million deal
LONDON: VertiGIS Ltd said on Tuesday it has agreed to acquire British software company 1Spatial Plc for about £87.1 million ($110.6 million) in cash, in a deal aimed at creating a global provider of geographic information systems (GIS) and location data management solutions. Under the terms of the recommended offer, 1Spatial shareholders will receive 73…
Active Energy Group makes strategic entry into Saudi Arabia via MISA Entrepreneur Licence
LONDON: Active Energy Group plc has been successfully granted an Entrepreneur Licence by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). The award of the MISA Entrepreneur Licence represents a strategic milestone for the Group and forms a core part of Active Energy’s wider strategy to expand its footprint across the Middle East. The licence provides…