Western Europe

Esprit Capital Partners leads €15m Kiadis funding round(2)

Kiadis Pharma, the biotech company backed by European venture capital firm Esprit Capital Partners, has raised €15 million in its latest funding round.

A tale of two auctions

The past two weeks saw both the first and the second live intellectual property auctions held in Europe. Dave Keating reports on the very different outcomes of each.

EVCA improves support for mega, mid-market and venture groups(3)

In the wake of political turmoil surrounding the industry, EVCA has taken the initiative and is splitting its focus into three core groups, though it will still lobby across the board where issues are common.

CD&R maintains excellent distribution

Clayton Dubilier & Rice recently led the $10.3 billion acquisition of HD Supply, the wholesale business of US retail giant Home Depot. It is the latest in a string of deals the US buyout firm has completed for distribution businesses. Nicholas Lockley reports.

Candover brings an end to Stork saga

Candover has agreed to pay €1.5 billion to buy Stork, a Dutch industrial conglomerate that has been involved in a long-running battle over strategy with the two hedge funds that are its biggest shareholders.

Mid Europa buys Austrian mobile operator(2)

Mid Europa Partners and France Telecom have bought Austrian mobile operator One for €1.4 billion. The deal is the biggest industrial leveraged buyout in Austria to date.

MPs’ double standard on transparency

Many of the Labour MPs on the UK Treasury Select Committee believe the private equity industry needs to be more open and transparent. However, they take a very different attitude to their own Parliament.

EVCA says PE can benefit the economy, employment and the environment

EVCA, Europe’s trade association, has embraced the increased emphasis on climate change at this year’s G8 summit, the annual meeting of the leaders of the most powerful world economies.

Heavy-hitting group ups $3.8bn Laureate bid

A consortium of big-name banks, hedge funds and private equity firms has increased by 2.5 percent its offer for higher education provider Laureate. The board-agreed amendment increases the price-per share to $62, up from $60.50.

Lovells recruits Eversheds’ corporate head

Law firm Lovells has expanded its Paris private equity team, recruiting rival Eversheds’ corporate head.