News
FRANCE/UK - Cognetas promotes two
Cognetas has promoted CУЉdric Rays, based in France, and Simon Cottle, based in London, to partner and investment manager respectively.
SWITZERLAND - HS LifeSciences launches QureInvest AG fund
HS LifeSciences has launched QureInvest AG fund, which will invest in biotech start-ups.
UK - Carlyle appoints director of distressed investments
The Carlyle Group has hired Ian Jackson as director of Carlyle Strategic Partners (CSP), its global distressed and corporate opportunities group that invests in debt and equity of financially distressed companies.
GERMANY - HTGF supports HiperScan GmbH with EUR 500,000
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) has acquired a minority stake in near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analytic company HiperScan GmbH for EUR 500,000.
GERMANY - K&L Gates opens in Frankfurt
K & L Gates has established its second office in Germany and the firm's 29th worldwide with the opening of a Frankfurt location, which includes the addition of partners Dr Mathias Schulze Steinen and Dr Frank Thomas.
FRANCE - Argos Soditic sells Jaybeam Wireless
Argos Soditic has sold Jaybeam Wireless, a manufacturer of cellular antennas for wireless telecommunications, to US-based connectors specialist Amphenol.
UK - Private equity to rescue Wolseley
Reports suggest that several private equity houses are among the potential investors in talks to save quoted building materials retailer Wolseley.
FRANCE - Private equity groups circle Caceis
According to reports, TPG, CVC Capital Partners and Advent International are seeking to table bids for the 45% stake for sale in asset custody company Caceis, which is valued at between EUR 1.5bn and EUR 2bn.
UK - 3i-led consortium to bid for Gatwick
According to reports, a consortium led by 3i and two Canadian pension funds is among at least five groups set to present their non-binding offers to Ferrovial for Gatwick airport, with analysts suggesting that the airport could be valued at ТЃ2bn.
GLOBAL - Blackstone to invest in South Korea
According to reports, Blackstone Group will open a unit in South Korea in January.
UK - Foresight injects £5m into 2K Manufacturing
Foresight Group has invested ТЃ5m into 2K Manufacturing, a waste recycling company.
GERMANY - Private equity said to be interested in HeidelbergCement
According to reports, Goldman Sachs, TPG, Bain Capital and PAI partners are among several large buyout firms considering an investment in building materials company HeidelbergCement, which is said to be struggling with its debt after the takeover of British...
BELGIUM - LSRP and Hunza Ventures in B-round for Cardio3 BioSciences
Belgian investment group Life Science Research Partners has particapted in a EUR 7.2m in a series-B round for biotech company Cardio3 BioSciences alongside new and existing investors.
UK - Octopus supports Zoopla.co.uk with £2m
Octopus Ventures has invested ТЃ2m in online property information website Zoopla.co.uk in a ТЃ3.75m series B-round.
UK - CVC interested in Royal Mail
Reports suggest that CVC Capital Partners is interested in taking a stake in postal operator Royal Mail.
DENMARK - 7TM Pharma secures USD 75m from existing investors
7TM Pharma, a developer of drugs targeting metabolic disorders, has closed a financing round securing USD 15m from existing investors. The firm's current investors include Index Ventures, Novo A/S, Alta Partners and Sofinnova Partners among others.
FRANCE - Banexi and CDC inject EUR 4.7m into Kewego
Existing investors Banexi Venture Partners and CDC Entreprises have supported Kewego, an internet video company, with EUR 4.7m in a third round investment.
EUROPE - Unigestion to raise two funds in 2009
According to reports, Geneva-based Unigestion will raise two new funds in 2009: a secondaries fund targeting EUR 150m, and a sustainable development vehicle with a USD 250m target.
FRANCE - Actem Partners exits Datavance
Actem Partners has sold its minority stake in Datavance, an IT services firm, to Adecco. Founders Stephane Lévy and Eric Rozanes retain a stake and remain with the company.
IRELAND - Goverment takes Anglo Irish Bank into public ownership
The Irish government has decided to take control over Anglo Irish Bank Corporation, stating that the bank's viability is of systemic importance to the country.
SWEDEN - MedCap increases stake in Handitek
MedCap has acquired a further 33% of Handitek AB for SEK 6.6m, increasing its stake in the company to 51%.
SWITZERLAND/GERMANY - Ventizz boosts St Gallen team
Ventizz Capital Partners has hired Christian Sarwa as investment professional for its St Gallen-based team. This brings the group's combined headcount of its Duesseldorf and St Gallen offices to 13.
LUXEMBOURG - IDeA acquires Blue Skye
IDeA Alternative Investments and DeA Capital have acquired Blue Skye Investment Group from DB Zwirn together with management. The vendor retains a minority stake in the company.
FRANCE – Turenne Capital injects EUR 1.29m into Pellenc
Turenne Capital has invested EUR 1.29m into Pellenc Selective Technologies.