I've been a business reporter for a while. I've covered Wall Street, venture capital and now private equity. I'm always looking for a scoop or something to talk about. I'm the eternal optimist and am still waiting for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series. Yes, I believe.
Canbex Therapeutics Ltd. said Tuesday it granted Ipsen the right to buy 100 percent of Canbex shares once Canbex completes the Phase IIa study of its lead candidate for the treatment of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis, known as VSN16R. Ipsen will pay 6 million euros (US$6.8 million) upfront for the option to buy Canbex, the statement said Canbex investors include Wellcome Trust, MS Ventures, Fast Forward LLC, UCL Business Plc and Esperante.
6 min read · 24 February 2015
H.I.G. Growth Partners LLC, the growth capital unit of H.I.G. Capital LLC, said Tuesday it promoted Nik Shah to MD. He joined H.I.G. in 2007 and has been responsible for investments in industries including technology, digital media, marketing and business services.
2 min read · 24 February 2015
Readerlink Distribution Services LLC has agreed to buy Baker & Taylor Marketing Services U.S. and Baker & Taylor Publishing Group. Financial terms weren’t announced. Charlotte, N.C.-based Baker & Taylor, which is majority owned by Castle Harlan, said BTMS UK and BTMS Mexico are not included in the transaction.
3 min read · 24 February 2015
EBSCO Information Services said Friday it has acquired YBP Library Services from Baker & Taylor. Financial terms weren’t announced. Contoocook, N.H.-based YBP provides print and digital content, supporting collection management and technical services to academic, research and special libraries globally. Baker & Taylor is a portfolio company of Castle Harlan Inc.
4 min read · 23 February 2015
Shore Capital Partners said Monday it has acquired Summit Medical Inc. Financial terms weren’t announced. St. Paul, Minn.-based Summit Medical designs, engineers and makes microsurgery products.
3 min read · 23 February 2015
MTS Health Investors LLC said Monday it completed the sale of portfolio company, Loving Care Agency, and its parent company to Epic Health Services Inc. Financial terms weren’t announced. Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.-based Loving Care provides skilled nursing services to medically complex and fragile children in their homes and schools. Lincoln International advised Loving Care.
2 min read · 23 February 2015
Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. said Monday that it has acquired Simpson Performance Products Inc. from Carousel Capital and other stockholders. Financial terms weren’t announced. New Braunfels, Texas-based Simpson Performance provides critical motorsports safety equipment. Fidus Partners acted as financial advisor to Carousel.
2 min read · 23 February 2015
The Abraaj Group has acquired a minority stake in Hepsiburada.com. Financial terms weren’t announced. Istanbul, Turkey-based Hepsiburada.com is an online retailer.
4 min read · 23 February 2015
Saif Partners and Accion have invested in Aye Finance. Financial terms weren’t announced. New Delhi0based Aye Finance provides financial services to micro and small businesses in Northern India.
4 min read · 23 February 2015
Sosei Group Corp. said late Sunday that it has acquired Heptares Therapeutics Ltd for about $400 million. The deal include $180 million cash while another $220 million is contingent upon the successful progression of the company’s pipeline and platform. Welwyn Garden City, U.K.-based Heptares is reportedly developing an experimental drug to treat Alzheimer's disease that is in early stage clinical testing, according to Bloomberg News. Heptares investors include MVM Life Science Partners, Clarus Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund, Takeda Ventures and the Stanley Family Foundation. Moelis & Company UK LLP advised Sosei while Goldman Sachs provided financial advice to Heptares.
9 min read · 23 February 2015
