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Envision Pharma buys Alligent Biopharm Consulting

Envision Pharma Group said Wednesday that it has acquired Alligent Biopharm Consulting LLC. Financial terms weren’t announced. The Halifax Group also invested. Stirling, New Jersey-based Alligent Biopharm provides strategic medical planning and program implementation for the medical affairs departments of biopharma organizations.

Shore Capital invests in Florida Autism Center

Shore Capital Partners said Wednesday it has invested in the Florida Autism Center via a recapitalization and formed SCP Autism Services LLC. Financial terms weren’t announced. The Florida Autism Center provides center-based applied behavior analysis treatment services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Battery Ventures invests $1.5 mln in Dronomy

Battery Ventures has invested $1.5 million in Dronomy. Tel-Aviv, Israel-based Dronomy is a drone technology startup.

Chef raises $40 mln

Chef said Wednesday it closed a $40 million Series E funding round led by DFJ Growth and included Millennium Technology Value Partners. Existing investors Battery Ventures, Citi Ventures, DFJ, Ignition Partners, and ScaleVP took part while Hewlett Packard Ventures also joined the round with a strategic investment. Seattle-based Chef provides automation for IT infrastructure.

Bridge Bank launches Equity Fund Resources

Bridge Bank said Wednesday that it launched a banking group, Equity Fund Resources, which will offer services to venture capital and private equity investment funds, their partners and portfolio companies. This includes capital call lines of credit, treasury management tools and management company flexibility lines. Michael David is leading Equity Fund Resources. David was previously managing director and group head of Fifth Street Technology Partners.

LNK Partners to sell Niman Ranch, Natural Food Holdings, to Perdue Farms

LNK Partners said Tuesday it agreed to sell Niman Ranch, together with its parent company Natural Food Holdings, to Perdue Farms. Financial terms weren’t announced. Natural Food Holdings makes and markets fresh and prepared protein products, including pork. Niman Ranch, the company’s flagship brand, is an all-natural brand of pork, beef, and lamb. Natural Food Holdings was advised by Houlihan Lokey while Perdue Farms was advised by Moelis & Co.

PE HUB First Read

In First Read, we have news about Apple's big event today, AOL is spinning out CrunchBase, John McAfee is running for President and put down that donut --- studies suggest that half of U.S. adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes

T. Rowe leads $65 mln round for AveXis

AveXis Inc. said Tuesday that it completed a $65 million Series D financing round led by new investor T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. Existing investors, including Deerfield Management, Roche Venture Fund and Venrock, also participated in the financing, as did new participants, including Janus Capital Management LLC, Adage Capital Management L.P., RA Capital Management, QVT Financial LP, Rock Springs Capital Management LP, Foresite Capital Management LLC, RTW Investments LLC and Boxer Capital of Tavistock Life Sciences. Chicago-based AveXis is gene therapy company.

Goldman Sachs' Merchant Banking hires Chenevert as advisor

Goldman Sachs & Co. said Tuesday that its Merchant Banking Division has retained Louis R. Chenevert to act as an exclusive advisor. He will target opportunities in the aerospace and industrial sectors, Goldman said. Chenevert, 58, is the former Chairman and CEO of United Technologies Corp.

Heritage names de Villeméjane its President and CEO

Pierre de Villeméjane was named President and CEO of Heritage Home Group LLC. Richard Lozyniak, who had been serving as Heritage Home’s Interim CEO, will remain on as a member of HHG’s Board of Directors. Heritage Home, a portfolio company of KPS Capital Partners, designs, makes, sources and retails home furnishings.