Category Archives: News

EQT Life Sciences portfolio company VarmX partners with CSL in a strategic collaboration and option agreement worth up to USD 2.2 billion

EQT Life Science
  • VarmX is developing a bypass agent to restore coagulation for patients facing life-threatening bleeding or requiring emergency surgery while on anticoagulants that target Factor Xa
  • Under the agreement, CSL will fully fund clinical development of VMX-C001 and pay VarmX shareholders USD 117 million upfront for an exclusive option to acquire VarmX, in a transaction worth up to USD 2.2 billion
  • EQT Life Sciences has backed VarmX since 2020, actively supporting the Company at board level as it successfully completed a first-in-human clinical study and obtained FDA clearance to start a global registrational Phase 3 trial

EQT Life Sciences, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm, is pleased to share that CSL has entered into a strategic collaboration with its portfolio company VarmX to support the development of its lead asset, VMX-C001. CSL has also entered into an exclusive option agreement with VarmX shareholders to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of the company in a transaction worth up to USD 2.2 billion.

VarmX, based in Leiden, the Netherlands, is a biotech company developing innovative approaches for the bypass of direct oral anticoagulants targeting activated Factor Xa (FXa DOACs) and inherited coagulation disorders. More than 20 million patients globally take FXa inhibitors as chronic anticoagulation therapy, with approximately 3 per cent of these patients experiencing severe bleeding or requiring urgent surgery. Despite the unmet clinical need, no fully approved therapeutic agent is currently available in the E.U. or the U.S. for treating acute major bleeding in patients on Factor Xa inhibitors.

VMX-C001 is an investigational product, designed to bypass the FXa anticoagulation activity and swiftly restore coagulation in patients in urgent surgery and severe bleeding situations. Under the terms of the strategic collaboration agreement, CSL will fully fund VarmX’s global Phase 3 trial evaluating VMX-C001. CSL will also fully fund and support VarmX in late-stage product development, manufacturing and pre-launch commercial and medical affairs activities.

EQT Life Sciences originally invested in VarmX in 2020, co-leading the company’s Series B financing, investing from its LSP 6 fund. At the time, VMX-C001 was still in preclinical stages but with EQT’s support, the company successfully completed a first-in-human clinical study and recently obtained FDA clearance for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to start a global registrational Phase 3 trial with VMX-C001.

John de Koning, board member at VarmX and Partner at EQT, added: “We are very proud to see that VarmX is, together with CSL, advancing its truly game-changing approach for this large unmet need in the emergency care setting. FDA’s recent granting of Fast Track Designation for VMX-C001 aims to shorten the time to market, further recognizing the company’s unique opportunity as well as the promise for patients.”

John Glasspool, Chief Executive Officer of VarmX, said: “The collaboration with CSL represents a transformative step for VarmX. By securing full funding for the registrational trial, product development, CMC and pre-launch activities, we are well positioned to bring VMX-C001 to patients. We are proud to partner with CSL, whose expertise and global reach will be invaluable as we move forward.”

Dr. Paul McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer of CSL, commented: “We are excited to partner with VarmX to develop a novel treatment and address a significant unmet need aligning strongly with our strategic ambition to deliver enduring patient impact. It also aligns with our portfolio of medicines designed to minimize bleeding, preserve a patient’s own blood supply, improve surgical and medical outcomes and support global public health approaches to patient blood management.”

CSL will make an upfront payment to VarmX shareholders of USD 117 million upon closing of the transaction for an exclusive option to acquire the company. CSL will have the right to exercise the option upon Phase 3 data. Subject to the achievement of certain milestones, following the exercise of the option and customary regulatory clearances, VarmX shareholders will receive a further USD 388 million in acquisition and additional payments up to the commercial launch of VMX-C001 and up to USD 1.7 billion in sales-based success milestones thereafter.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

Downloads

Categories: News

Tags:

KKR Acquires Japanese Insurance Distributor Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group

KKR

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced that funds managed by KKR have acquired Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group, Inc. (“Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group”) from investment funds serviced by Advantage Partners (“AP”), a Japanese private equity sponsor. KKR’s investment will help Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group to accelerate its growth strategy and unlock new value, including through organic and inorganic growth strategies such as sales enablement and bolt-on acquisitions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250915837815/en/

Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group is a leading insurance distributor in Japan, with an omnichannel presence including in-store services, call centers, and online. The company’s flagship brand, Hoken Minaoshi Hompo, offers in-store services at around 350 strategic retail locations across Japan, and offers a wide range of insurance products from more than 40 insurance companies. Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group offers flexible consultation options to accommodate customers’ diverse needs and schedules, including in-store face-to-face meetings, online consultations, home visits, and telephone consultations.

Hiro Hirano, Deputy Executive Chairman of KKR Asia Pacific and CEO of KKR Japan, said, “Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group has established itself as a trusted partner to customers and insurers in Japan through high-quality advice and broad access to insurance products. As the industry continues to evolve, we see significant opportunities for the company to strengthen its platform and better serve the diverse needs of customers. We look forward to working alongside the management team and drawing on KKR’s global network, sector expertise, local knowledge, and operational capabilities to support Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group in its next stage of growth.”

Tomoki Usui, CEO of Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group, said, “We thank Advantage Partners for their steadfast support over the years, and are delighted to welcome KKR as our new investor. Their deep expertise in the financial services sector, proven track record of growing businesses in Japan, and global insurance industry knowledge will support us to achieve our mission of providing services that enable everyone to live a 100-year lifespan with peace of mind and happiness. Together with KKR, we will further develop our services, supporting each and every customer to create a secure and prosperous future.”

KKR is making this investment predominantly from its Asian Fund IV and K-Series. This transaction marks KKR’s latest private equity investment in Japan, following investments that have included FUJI SOFT, a leading system integrator; LOGISTEED, a leading third-party logistics company; Yayoi, a financial and accounting software provider for SMEs, among others. This transaction also builds on KKR’s deep insurance experience globally, including Global Atlantic, KKR’s insurance business; Ascend Asia, the first platform for financial advisory firms in Singapore; USI Insurance Services, one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the US; APRIL, the largest wholesale insurance broker in France; and Söderberg & Partners, a leading pension advisor, wealth manager, and insurance broker in the Nordic region.

About Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group

Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group is a leading insurance distributor in Japan, with an omnichannel presence including in-store, call centers, and online. Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group aims to be a Life Support Platform Provider and is deeply committed to delivering peace of mind and enrichment to people’s lives in the era of 100-year lifespans. Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group stands by each customer throughout their life journey, working to eliminate inconvenience, dissatisfaction, and anxiety. Beyond insurance consultations, it offers various services including stores with integrated mortgage consultation and nursing care advisory services.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

Media Contacts
For Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group:

Mizuki Yamada
+81-3-6636-9990
pr@mhompo.co.jp

For KKR:

Wei Jun Ong
+65 6922 5813
weijun.ong@kkr.com

Samuel Brustad
+81 90 7094 2523
samuel.brustad@kkr.com

Source: KKR

 

Download PDF

Categories: News

Tags:

Carlyle Announces Senior Notes Offering

Carlyle

Washington, DC, September 16, 2025 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, senior notes. The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carlyle’s indirect subsidiaries Carlyle Holdings I L.P., Carlyle Holdings II L.L.C., Carlyle Holdings III L.P., and CG Subsidiary Holdings L.L.C. Carlyle intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes for general corporate purposes.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC , J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, as amended (Registration No. 333-270745) on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The offering is being made by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement only. An electronic copy of the prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying prospectus, is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained by contacting the joint book-running managers: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., telephone: 1-800-831-9146, email: prospectus@citi.com; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, telephone: 1-866-471-2526; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, telephone: 1-212-834-4533; Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, telephone:1-866-718-1649; and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, telephone: 1-800-645-3751.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase the notes or any other securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $465 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 27 offices across four continents.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations, estimates, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions and statements that are not historical facts, including our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources, contingencies, and our dividend policy. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements including, but not limited to, those described in this press release and under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this press release and in our other periodic filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law

This press release does not constitute an offer for any Carlyle fund.

* *  *  *  *

Contacts:

Public Market Investor Relations                                                                     

Daniel Harris

Phone: +1 (212) 813-4527

daniel.harris@carlyle.com

 

Media

Brittany Bensaull

Phone: +1 (212) 813-4839

brittany.bensaull@carlyle.com

 

OR

 

Kristen Ashton

Phone: +1 (212) 813-4763

kristen.ashton@carlyle.com

Categories: News

Bain Capital to Acquire Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel in Partnership with Columbia Threadneedle and QuinSpark

BainCapital

LONDON and PARIS – September 17, 2025 – Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, in partnership with Columbia Threadneedle and QuinSpark Investment Partners (“QuinSpark”), has today signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pullman Paris Montparnasse from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (“Unibail”), a leading European retail REIT.

Built in 1974, the 4-star, 957-key hotel spans 32 floors and is adjacent to Gare Montparnasse in the affluent 14th district. The Pullman Paris Montparnasse has already undergone a comprehensive refurbishment which completed in 2021, with over €216 million invested to modernize its facilities, including extensive upgrades to guest rooms, common areas and technical infrastructure.

Among the city’s largest and most contemporary hotels, Pullman Paris Montparnasse features spacious rooms ranging from 22 to 60 square meters, 10 percent larger than the local competitive set. The hotel offers outstanding connectivity to key city landmarks, catering perfectly to both international and domestic travelers.

Standout amenities include 4,520 square meters of state-of-the-art meeting, conference, and exhibition facilities with natural daylight; two restaurants, a sky bar, a fully equipped gym; and the potential to add a 500-square-meter spa.

Asset management will be overseen by Columbia Threadneedle and QuinSpark, a leading hospitality operating partner with deep experience in the Parisian market. Plans include the implementation of a targeted capex program to optimize operating costs and improve energy performance, delivered by a team of seasoned professionals with direct experience operating Pullman properties to ensure a seamless transition and continued operational excellence.

The investment, one of the largest of its kind in France, marks a significant milestone in Bain Capital’s expansion into the European hospitality market and underscores the firm’s commitment to acquiring high-quality assets in prime locations.

Rafael Coste Campos, a Partner on Bain Capital’s Special Situations team, commented: “European hospitality is one of our high conviction themes, where we see long term secular demand tailwinds in acutely supply constrained markets. The current macro dislocation is creating a rare window of opportunity to acquire strategic assets in Europe’s main gateway cities. Pullman Paris Montparnasse is an uncommon opportunity to acquire a newly refurbished, institutional-grade 957-key hotel in Paris, one of the most attractive hospitality markets globally. We look forward to working with Columbia Threadneedle and QuinSpark to unlock further value and realize its full potential.”

Marc-Olivier Assouline, Head of European Value-Add at Columbia Threadneedle, said: “The acquisition of the Pullman Paris Montparnasse is a prime example of our Value-Add strategy in action, combining an iconic Parisian asset with significant potential for long-term value creation. This transaction also highlights our ability to source and structure complex off-market opportunities, and deploy our European capabilities alongside trusted partners. Together with Bain Capital and QuinSpark, we will bring a creative approach to further enhance this landmark hotel, strengthening its operational performance and delivering sustainable returns for our investors.”

Frédéric de Brem, Director at QuinSpark, added: “The acquisition of the Pullman Paris Montparnasse marks a significant milestone for QuinSpark Investment Partners, the result of extensive underwriting and structuring efforts that led to the establishment of a strategic equity and operational partnership with Bain Capital and Columbia Threadneedle. This transaction follows the 2024 acquisition of another landmark Parisian property, the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, further reinforcing our collaboration with Accor’s operational teams. We will place a particular focus on implementing the essential refurbishment works required to achieve the objectives of the French Tertiary Decree.”

The purchaser was advised in this transaction by Oudot Notaries (notarial matters), CMS Francis Lefebvre (legal and tax), Clifford Chance (financing), Mazars (financial), PwC (structuring), and Etyo (technical and environmental).

###

About Bain Capital

Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

About QuinSpark Investment Partners

Founded in 2023 by Frédéric de Brem and Stéphane Obadia, QuinSpark is a European investment platform specializing in the ownership and management of hospitality and student housing assets. Acting as an operating partner alongside family offices and leading private equity investors, the company manages a portfolio with a combined value of more than €1.25 billion. QuinSpark’s ambition is to create long-term value by combining financial discipline, operational expertise, and a strong commitment to sustainable transformation in the hospitality sector.

About Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate

Columbia Threadneedle has a global presence in real estate providing an investment platform for clients around the world. Columbia Threadneedle’s real estate offering forms a core part of its Alternatives business, which has €26bn of assets under management. Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate has 100+ investment professionals and manages €13.6bn of assets under management in physical real estate. Our real estate teams based across the UK and Continental Europe work together to offer a global platform for clients, with a shared vision of the future of real estate.

Media Contacts

 Europe

 Jason Lobo

 Camarco

Categories: News

Tags:

BlueMatrix Expands Global Reach and Product Breadth Through Acquisition of RMS

Thomabravo

DURHAM, N.C.—BlueMatrix, the world’s leading platform for capital markets content authoring and distribution, today announced the acquisition of the RMS Partners business (“RMS”), a global investment research software platform, from FactSet (NYSE: FDS| NASDAQ: FDS). The strategic combination significantly expands BlueMatrix’s international footprint in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions and deepens its product offering in both sell-side and buy-side investment research workflows. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

RMS enables its clients to seamlessly aggregate and analyze financial datasets to generate custom models and reports, facilitating sell-side research authoring and buy-side investment decision-making. Its advanced platform architecture supports multi-environment database schemas, allowing users to create tailored modeling workflows and content sets designed for specific regions, sectors or methodologies. By joining forces, BlueMatrix and RMS will materially accelerate their product roadmaps to deliver innovation in the research ecosystem, enhance client-centricity and deliver a more powerful and connected platform to research and investment professionals worldwide.

“We are thrilled to welcome the RMS team and to have the privilege of serving existing customers who trust this platform,” said Patricia Horotan, CEO of BlueMatrix. “By combining our expertise and shared dedication to capital markets software innovation and client success, we will be able to deliver even greater value and deeper insights to the global investment research community.”

As part of the acquisition, BlueMatrix and FactSet have entered into an enhanced commercial agreement whereby FactSet has become the preferred data provider for BlueMatrix.

“This represents a positive, strategic choice for our Dealmakers & Wealth sell-side business unit, which continues to be a driver of FactSet’s growth,” said Kristina Karnovsky, Executive Vice President and Head of Dealmakers & Wealth at FactSet. “This deal allows us to enhance focus, efficiency and growth potential. It supports long-term goals and aligns with our joint commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients.”

“The RMS team is excited and fully committed to a new chapter of growth and innovation with BlueMatrix,” said Achim Fehrenbacher, Vice President and Head of RMS. “Our combined product portfolio will enable us to serve many more departments and divisions within our existing customers, driving increased return on investment through our joint vision for comprehensive authoring and distribution technology across all classes of capital markets content.”

With the backing of Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, BlueMatrix is well-positioned to accelerate RMS’ growth and continue enhancing its best-in-class solutions for the benefit of RMS’ clients, who will continue to enjoy the same great service without interruption and benefit from access to a broader suite of features and capabilities.

About BlueMatrix

BlueMatrix is the global leader in capital markets content publishing technology. Its secure and scalable platform is trusted by over 1,000 financial institutions for content authoring, compliance, and global distribution. BlueMatrix has customers in more than 50 countries and serves internal teams across multi-national corporations from its offices located in Durham (HQ), New York,  London,  Edinburgh,  Auckland, and Timisoara. BlueMatrix facilitates the equitable exchange of critical investment insights by improving the efficiency, collaboration, and security across the complete information lifecycle. The ecosystem is designed to meet users’ bespoke needs, from compliance tracking to interactive publishing, by removing friction from the publication, dissemination, consumption and application of investment research and informal capital markets content. For more information, visit BlueMatrix’s website at www.bluematrix.com

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software investors in the world, with approximately $181 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025. Through its private equity, growth equity and credit strategies, the firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging Thoma Bravo’s deep sector expertise and strategic and operational capabilities, the firm collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices and drive growth initiatives. Over the past 20 years, the firm has acquired or invested in approximately 555 companies representing approximately $285 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). The firm has offices in Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit Thoma Bravo’s website at www.thomabravo.com

Read the release on PR Newswire here.

Categories: News

Tags:

INVESTINDUSTRIAL invests in the Fatro Group, a leading company in the vetinary pharmaceutical sector

No Comments
Investindustrial

16 September 2025 – Animal Wellness Investments S.p.A., an independently managed investment subsidiary of
Investindustrial VIII SCSp (“Investindustrial”), has finalised an agreement to invest in Fatro Group (“Fatro” or the
“Group”), a leading Italian company in the veterinary pharmaceutical sector, operating in the production of
medicines and vaccines dedicated to animal health and well-being.

Founded in 1947 by Gualtiero and Corrado Zaini and headquartered in Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), the Group is a
leader in the animal health sector, specialised in the research, development, production, and commercialisation
of a wide range of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, and other solutions for the treatment and prevention of
diseases in both pet and farm animals

In 2024, the Group recorded revenues of approximately €220 million. Fatro has a significant international
presence, serving customers in over 90 countries and operating through subsidiaries in Turkey, Spain, Greece,
Poland, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Uruguay and India. The Group employs around 870 people and has two
production sites in Italy, located in Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO) and Maclodio (BS).

As part of this partnership, Mrs. Silvana Dal Magro – who will retain a significant stake in the Group alongside
Investindustrial – will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer, with the goal of further strengthening Fatro’s
leadership position and accelerating its international growth, supported by Investindustrial’s track record in
helping high-quality family-owned mid-market companies expand globally.

Andrea C. Bonomi, Chairman of the Investindustrial Advisory Board, commented: “Investindustrial continues to
be the partner of choice for high-quality, family-owned Italian businesses led by entrepreneurs seeking to take
their companies to the next level of growth. We were extremely impressed by Fatro’s strong performance, market
leadership and outstanding reputation, and we are excited to work alongside Silvana Dal Magro and the entire
management team to help Fatro grow its leadership both in the Italian market and internationally.
Investindustrial’s strong track record in successfully supporting family-owned businesses, combined with its
industrial approach and global network, was a key factor in establishing this partnership, aimed at further growing
a long-standing European leader in the veterinary sector.”

Silvana Dal Magro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fatro, said: “I am extremely proud of the journey
started by our late Founder, Dr. Corrado Zaini, and carried forward by myself, which has enabled Fatro Group —
thanks also to the valuable contribution of all our employees and people — to establish itself as one of the leading
players in the veterinary pharmaceutical sector. I am confident that the partnership with Investindustrial will allow
Fatro Group to continue its growth path, with the promotion and growth of its people as one of its key strategic
pillars.”

This transaction strengthens Investindustrial’s track record in executing strategic partnerships with families and
entrepreneurs in the mid-market segment, as well as its focus on investments in high-quality health and
manufacturing companies that are leaders in niche markets — which currently represent approximately 70% of
Investindustrial’s deployed capital. Examples include Ourvita (nutraceuticals and wellness product
manufacturing), Arterex (medical components and products), Fassi (lifting equipment), CEME (precision
technologies for fluid control), Guala Closures (specialty closures for spirits and beverages), Omnia Technologies
(automation for the beverage and pharmaceutical sectors) and Piovan (industrial automation in the auxiliary
machinery segment).

In the transaction, Investindustrial was assisted by BofA Securities and L.F. Advisory (financial advisors), Studio
Chiomenti (legal), BCG and Stonehaven Consulting (commercial), PwC (accounting and tax), Ramboll
(environmental), and WTW (insurance).
The shareholders of the Fatro Group were assisted by Capex and Proactiva (financial advisors), KPMG
(accounting), PedersoliGattai and Osborne Clarke (legal), and Stantec (environmental).

About Investindustrial
Investindustrial is a leading European group of independently managed investment, holding and advisory
companies with €17 billion of raised fund capital. With ESG principles deeply embedded into the firm’s core
approach, Investindustrial has a 35-year history of providing mid-market companies with capital, industrial
expertise, operational focus and global platforms to accelerate sustainable value creation and international
expansion. Certain companies of the Investindustrial group are authorised by, and subject to regulatory
supervision of the FCA in the United Kingdom, the CSSF in Luxembourg and the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market.
References to ‘Investindustrial’ are of generic nature, for ease of reading, and may refer, depending on the
context, to a fund or any of its independently managed subsidiaries. Investindustrial’s investment companies act
independently from each other and each Investindustrial fund.
Additional information is available at www.investindustrial.com.

This document (“Document”) has been prepared for information purposes only. Neither the whole nor any of the information in this Document
may be used for any other purpose without the prior written consent of Investindustrial. Any reproduction or distribution of this Document, in
whole or in part, or the disclosure of its contents, without the prior written consent of Investindustrial, is prohibited. No warranty or assurance is
given on the accuracy of the information. All statements of opinion and/or beliefs contained in this Document, and all views expressed and all
projections, forecasts and statements regarding future events, expectations or future performance or returns represent Investindustrial’s own
assessment and interpretation of information available to it at the date of this Document.
Investors must determine for themselves what reliance (if any) they should place on such views, projections, statements or forecasts and no
responsibility is accepted by Investindustrial in respect thereof. Investors should not treat this Document as comprising any element of advice
relating to legal, taxation, accounting or investment matters and are advised to consult their own professional advisors concerning the potential
acquisition, holding or disposal of an investment. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and any past performance
information contained in this Document is not an indication of future performance.
This Document has not been audited or verified by an independent party and should not be seen as any indication of returns which might be
received by investors. This Document does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe or purchase securities or other financial instruments
and the information contained herein is subject to updating, amendment and verification. It should not be relied upon by any persons for any
purpose.
The terms “group”, “we”, “us” (and similar) in this document have been used only for practical ease of reading and do not intend to imply any
specific reference to a legal definition or any activity of control by any individual or company with respect to other companies. Investindustrial
companies are each independently managed by their respective boards of directors.

Categories: News

Tags:

The Era of Generative Genomics with Synthesize Bio

Madrona

We’re entering a new era of life sciences, one marked by unprecedented speed of innovation and, paradoxically, slowing scientific progress. Drug discovery is becoming harder and more costly, not easier. Despite incredible technological advances, it now takes more time and more money to develop life-saving medicines than ever before.

This phenomenon has been wryly dubbed Eroom’s Law (Moore’s Law backwards). A nod to the fact that drug R&D productivity is moving in the opposite direction of the exponential advances we’ve seen in semiconductors and software. At Madrona, we believe this slowdown is unacceptable and not inevitable.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our investment in Synthesize Bio, founded by Rob Bradley, McIlwain Family Endowed Chair and Director of the Translational Data Science Integrated Research Center and Jeff Leek, J Orin Edson Foundation Endowed Chair and Chief Data Officer at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Rob and Jeff are world-leading researchers who have built their careers understanding biology from massive RNA datasets. They founded Synthesize Bio to build foundation models to solve the problems they face in their own research – understanding complex biology to deliver new insights that enable novel medicines in a highly competitive and resource-constrained environment.

Generative Genomics – A Foundation for the Future of Science

While biology hasn’t had its “ChatGPT moment” yet, we’re getting close. Rob and Jeff saw the massive potential while hacking diffusion models on their nights and weekends, inspiring them to found Synthesize Bio.

They came to us with the idea that in the future, most genomic data would be generated by models instead of in a lab. They called this idea “generative genomics” and showed us the first prototype of their idea. Over the past year, they have been quietly building, training a generative genomics foundation model (GEM-1) on the largest, most deeply curated RNA-seq dataset ever assembled. Their recent preprint demonstrates best-in-class performance: generating in silico data that matches wet-lab experiments – simply from experimental designs.

RNA-seq is the gold standard for linking genotype to phenotype at scale, capturing the transcriptional dynamics that translate static DNA into the active processes driving health and disease. RNA provides a uniquely rich substrate for generative modeling, leveraging high-throughput sequencing and massive datasets. For the first time, we’re starting to see scaling laws emerge in biology and with them, the possibility of generative tools becoming foundational infrastructure for scientific research.

While this is just the first release of the GEM models from Synthesize, they are already seeing super-experimental (analogous to super-human) performance – AI models that outperform novel lab experiments at reproducing biological signals.

It’s time to revisit the old adage, “An hour in the library can save a month in the lab.” Synthesize Bio reinvents that hour in the library; no longer are scientists limited to what others have published. Generative genomics moves reasoning agents from just searching published literature to enabling dynamic AI experiments that accelerate research by years, not months.

From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: Scientists Need to Do More with Less

Biology is hard. Scientists spend years and pharmaceutical companies spend millions narrowing down hypotheses, only to find themselves limited by what can be physically tested in patients or animals or what can be gleaned from early efficacy signals in Phase I clinical trial data. Can you get the patient samples needed? Do you have the statistical power to predict which patients are likely to respond to treatment? These constraints no longer need to define the limits of discovery or drug development.

Synthesize Bio is building a future where early-stage clinical data can be augmented with AI-generated datasets, providing better predictive power to de-risk costly trials and bring needed medicines to patients sooner. On top of the generative genomics foundation model, scientists can build applications solving the critical research challenges limiting scientific progress.

  • Hypotheses that were once infeasible due to cost or time can now be evaluated in silico
  • Human-relevant models bridge the gap between cells in a dish and real biology in people
  • Clinical study designs can be modeled computationally offering a preview of outcomes before the first patient is even enrolled
  • Generating biomarker data creates insight from impossible to collect biopsies
  • Biomarker hypotheses can be tested with robust statistical power before Phase III trials

This is the power of generative genomics: unlocking scale, speed, and scope that wet lab experiments or early clinical trial data alone simply can’t match.

The Scientist of the Future Will Spend 90% of Their Time at the Keyboard

The tech shift in biology is already underway. The success of generative protein design, AI-driven structure prediction, and automated screening tools is showing what’s possible. These tools, while powerful, all act on known biology and targets. To drive the future of life sciences, we need to discover new biology faster and more efficiently. We need tools to better de-risk clinical development before years are wasted on the wrong assets. Into this need steps Synthesize Bio and generative genomics.

The next generation of biotech breakthroughs will be built by scientists and drug development companies who are fully tech enabled, running experiments in code, iterating rapidly, and validating only the best ideas in the lab. But this future requires infrastructure. Unlike large language foundation models, life science research demands deep domain expertise, vertical-specific and highly curated training data, and integration with life science workflows. This isn’t a space for one-size-fits-all solutions. Synthesize Bio has built the foundation to drive the future of in silico-first, life science research.

Democratizing Discovery: From Insights to Impact

While no model will ever perfectly recapitulate all of biology, Synthesize’s represents a profound shift, empowering scientists to do more, faster, with greater confidence. And this is beyond just efficiency, it’s about enabling new and better science.

The Synthesize Bio team is developing partnerships with biopharma teams to accelerate drug development using their foundation models. Access to the GEM-1 foundation models is now available at Synthesize.bio and through R and Python API clients.

We are proud to back Rob, Jeff, and the Synthesize Bio team as they build this foundational layer for modern biotech. At Madrona, we’re investing from day one in the companies creating the future of life science R&D where scaling laws apply to biology, discovery accelerates, and new medicines reach patients faster.

If you’re building at this intersection—or want to—let’s talk.

Categories: News

Tags:

Arch Raises $52M Series B to Modernize Private Markets Infrastructure

Oak HC FT

Arch, the digital way to track all private market investments, today announced it has raised $52 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Oak HC/FT, with participation from Menlo Ventures, Craft Ventures, Quiet Capital and others. The funding will support Arch’s ongoing expansion and development, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of institutional investors, large private wealth teams and established family offices.

In an era of rapid technological advancement, private markets have emerged as the most dynamic arena in global finance. The global alternatives market is projected to reach $29.2 trillion by 2029, up from $16.8 trillion in 2023. Despite this growth and increasing investor interest, private market infrastructure is plagued by antiquated processes and massive information asymmetry. Investors must navigate hundreds of portals and thousands of emails, with little visibility or automation. In private markets, where illiquidity is inherent, the value of leverage and efficient cash management is even more pronounced. As regulatory pressure and client expectations rise, the need for real-time data, streamlined workflows and robust reporting capabilities has never been more critical.

Arch is the AI-powered operating system purpose-built to eliminate the operational friction of private investing. It automatically collects and structures financial data from documents, including K-1s and statements, from various portals and emails into one secure place. New features like Arch Pay automate capital calls, making nearly every stage of alternative investing more seamless. By simplifying document collection and data extraction, Arch reduces manual administrative tasks and enhances portfolio visibility. For allocators managing complex alts exposure, Arch serves as a single source of truth, giving investors the clarity and confidence to unlock the full value of their alts business.

“Investors in private markets have long been underserved – dealing with fragmented data, clunky workflows and high fees,” said Ryan Eisenman, Co-Founder and CEO of Arch. “With this new capital and the support of our partners, we’re expanding our suite of CIO tools, developing new features within our client portal and enhancing reporting capabilities for LPs. We’re continuing to build the product the industry needs – streamlining analysis, centralizing reporting and eliminating manual back-office work tied to alternative investments.”

Over the last 14 months, Arch has grown from $100 billion to over $250 billion in private market assets on the platform. More than 50% of Arch’s users have referred the platform to another client, reflecting the company’s strong Realized Net Promoter Score (rNPS). Arch’s key differentiator is winning and retaining the most complex clients of the firms it serves, which has fueled its expansion beyond family offices and RIAs to now serve over 450 allocators globally, including more than 100 new clients year-to-date. This growth includes four of the top private banks, seven out of the top 25 accounting firms, and some of the world’s largest private wealth and institutional investment firms. All rely on Arch as their data management platform for all things alternatives.

“In our diligence calls, Arch clearly stood out. We have LPs that use lots of solutions, but Arch clients showed a clear enthusiasm for the product and team that was lacking across any peer solutions. That, paired with their rollout across one of the nation’s biggest banks, their traction in the institutional space, and the hundreds of family offices and RIAs that use the platform gave our team deep conviction in Arch — now and in the future,” said Matt Streisfeld, General Partner at Oak HC/FT.

To learn more about partnering with Arch, or to receive a demonstration of the platform, please email hello@arch.co.

About Arch

Arch is the first Alternatives Management Platform, streamlining the entire lifecycle of alternative investing — from logging into portals and collecting K-1s to automating capital calls and delivering real-time reporting. With Arch, investors gain on-demand reporting, real-time insights and visibility across their private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, real estate and other private investments. Arch supports $250 billion in private assets across 450 leading allocators, including 150 single family offices, 100 RIAs and multi-family offices, four of the top 20 global banks, seven of the top 20 accounting firms, as well as prominent fund administrators, law firms, and institutions.

To learn more or request a demo, visit arch.co/contact. Follow Arch on X (@gotk1s) or LinkedIn or visit us in our New York City headquarters for more information.

About Oak HC/FT

Oak HC/FT is a venture and growth equity firm specializing in investments in fintech and healthcare. Using partnership as a foundation, Oak HC/FT guides companies and founders at every stage, from seed to growth, to create businesses that make a measurable and lasting impact. Founded in 2014, Oak HC/FT has invested in more than 100 portfolio companies and has over $5.3 billion in assets under management. Oak HC/FT is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with an office in San Francisco, CA. Follow Oak HC/FT on LinkedIn and X and learn more at https://www.oakhcft.com/.

Categories: News

Tags:

CVC DIF to acquire CARMA Corp., a leading Canadian submetering and essential building services platform

CVC Capital Partners
  • Long-term contracted submetering portfolio located across key urban markets nationwide
  • The partnership with CVC DIF will support CARMA’s continued growth in North America while further developing new service offerings

CVC DIF, the infrastructure strategy of leading global private markets manager CVC, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CARMA Corp. (“CARMA”), a Canadian submetering and essential building services platform, from TerraNova Partners (“TerraNova”). The investment will be made through DIF Infrastructure VIII and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Lindsay, Ontario, CARMA is one of Canada’s largest submetering providers, metering over 135,000 units across more than 1,000 multi-residential and commercial buildings in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. CARMA’s submetering portfolio is supported by long-term contracts with inflation protection. The company plays a vital role in decreasing energy consumption and driving sustainability by enabling property owners and tenants to monitor and manage consumption, while lowering overall utility costs for residents.

Through this partnership, CARMA will leverage CVC DIF’s financial strength and infrastructure expertise to continue delivering reliable, long-term utility and essential building services to property owners, developers, and residents.

Tom Goossens, Partner and Co-Head of the DIF Infrastructure fund strategy at CVC DIF, commented: “Our investment in CARMA underscores CVC DIF’s focus on critical infrastructure platforms that provide essential services and long-term value to communities. CARMA’s strong contracted revenue base, best-in-class operations and future growth trajectory position it as a highly attractive partner. We look forward to working closely with the management team to support the next stage of CARMA’s expansion across North America.”

Quotes

Our investment in CARMA underscores CVC DIF’s focus on critical infrastructure platforms that provide essential services and long-term value to communities.

Tom GoossensPartner and Co-Head of the DIF Infrastructure fund strategy at CVC DIF

Michael Platt, CEO of CARMA, added: “Our partnership with CVC DIF, a leading global infrastructure investor, marks a remarkable milestone for the CARMA Team and the start of an exciting new chapter. Together, we will broaden our services, expand our capabilities, and invest in innovative solutions that will strengthen operations, accelerate growth, and solidify our position as a market leader, all while continuing to provide best-in-class customer service.”

CVC DIF is advised by National Bank Capital Markets (financial advisor), Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP (legal advisor), and Leo Berwick (financial and tax advisor). Jefferies LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to CARMA Corp. CARMA Corp. and TerraNova Partners are also advised by Stuart English and Stikeman Elliott LLP (legal advisors) and MNP (tax and finance).

Categories: News

Tags:

Platinum Equity to Acquire PlayPower

Platinum

LOS ANGELES (September 15, 2025) – Platinum Equity announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PlayPower, one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of recreational and outdoor living systems, from Littlejohn & Co, LLC (“Littlejohn”).

Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

“PlayPower is a market leader with a strong portfolio of trusted brands and an international manufacturing and distribution network. We believe the company is well positioned to benefit from increased investment in outdoor spaces and recreational infrastructure, and we look forward to supporting its continued growth.”

Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President, Platinum Equity

Headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, PlayPower designs and manufactures a wide range of products for outdoor recreation and living, including playground systems, recreational equipment, and related solutions, serving key end markets such as schools, parks and recreation, commercial and industrial facilities, residential communities, marine environments, and hospitality venues. The company maintains an international footprint with manufacturing and distribution facilities across North America and Europe, enabling efficient delivery, reduced transit times, and compliance with regional regulatory and design standards.

“PlayPower is a market leader with a strong portfolio of trusted brands and an international manufacturing and distribution network,” said Jacob Kotzubei, Platinum Equity Co-President. “We believe the company is well positioned to benefit from increased investment in outdoor spaces and recreational infrastructure, and we look forward to supporting its continued growth.”

“There is a significant opportunity to grow PlayPower both organically and through strategic M&A,” said Nathan Eldridge, Managing Director at Platinum Equity. “We see potential to expand in core product categories like outdoor play and shade, while also pursuing adjacent markets. Our goal is to accelerate PlayPower’s transformation into a scaled, multi-brand platform with broad end-market reach, complementary product coverage, and enhanced manufacturing and distribution capabilities.”

PlayPower CEO Bryan Yeazel is expected to continue leading the company after the transition to new ownership.

“We are excited to partner with Platinum Equity as we enter this next chapter,” said Yeazel. “Platinum’s operational expertise and experience building global platforms will help us accelerate growth, innovate for our customers, and continue delivering exceptional products and services. Littlejohn has been an exceptional partner to the company and we are grateful for their support and collaboration.”

“This transaction represents the culmination of a successful partnership with Bryan Yeazel and the PlayPower leadership team,” said Brian Ramsay, Managing Partner and President at Littlejohn.  “Bryan and the team responded to the operational challenges of COVID and drove growth in its core business lines, both in the U.S. and Europe.  We wish Platinum and the PlayPower team much success.”

Goldman Sachs is serving as financial advisor to Platinum Equity, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel to Platinum Equity.

Lincoln International is serving as financial advisor to Littlejohn, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as legal counsel to Littlejohn.   Jamieson Financial is serving as advisor to the company’s executive management team.

About Platinum Equity

Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $50 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 60 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 30 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 500 acquisitions.

About Littlejohn & Co.

Littlejohn & Co. is a Greenwich, Connecticut-based investment firm focused on private equity and debt investments in growing middle-market industrial and services companies that can benefit from Littlejohn’s 25+ years of operational and sector expertise. With approximately $8 billion in regulatory assets under management, the firm seeks to build sustainable success for its portfolio companies through a disciplined approach to engineering change. For more information about Littlejohn, visit www.littlejohnllc.com.

Categories: News

Tags: