AstraZeneca Seals China Obesity Drug Deal For Up To $18.5B

By Najiyya Budaly

Biotechnology giant AstraZeneca has struck a licensing deal worth up to $18.5 billion with CSPC Pharmaceutical of China to develop weight-loss drugs, the companies said Friday, as Western investment in China ramps up.

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Rio Tinto, Chalco Acquire Stake In Brazil's CBA For $903M

By Al Barbarino

Rio Tinto and Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., or Chalco, have agreed to acquire Votorantim's controlling stake in Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio through a jointly owned vehicle, in a deal valuing the Brazilian aluminum producer at about $902.6 million.

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Freshfields-Led Permira's Investment Values Carne At €1.4B

By Dawood Fakhir

Carne Group said Friday that it has agreed to sell a "significant minority stake" to British global investment firm Permira in a deal that values the third-party management company at approximately €1.4 billion ($1.7 billion).

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Apax In Talks To Buy Auto Dealer Tech Biz For £583M

By Tom Fish

Pinewood Technologies Group PLC has confirmed that it has entered into talks with private equity firm Apax Partners LLP over a potential acquisition that values the U.K. automotive software company at £583 million ($802 million).

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UK Pension Deal Market Slumps In 2025 By 18% To £39B

By Martin Croucher

The value of bulk purchase annuity pension deals fell by nearly 20% to £39 billion ($53.6 billion) in 2025 — the market's worst year since 2022.

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Roundup

UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London

By Max Austin

This past week in London saw collapsed solar bonds company Rockfire Capital sue the Royal Bank of Scotland, e-ticket platform Eventbrite target the owners of Salford Red Devils rugby club over an alleged contract breach, and Scottish distiller William Grant & Sons square off against a former MP in a trademark tussle tied to its Glenfiddich whisky. 

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Brief

Europa Metals To Withdraw From AIM After Acquisition Failures

By Irene Madongo

Europa Metals said Friday that its shares will be removed from London's Alternative Investment Market on Feb. 2 after an acquisition deal it hoped to clinch failed to materialize.

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Brief

IG Group Completes $125M Cryptocurrency Exchange Deal

By Dawood Fakhir

IG Group said Friday that it has completed the approximately 178 million Australian dollars ($125 million) acquisition of Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve after receiving approval from the central bank of Singapore.

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Brief

Shoosmiths Advises Centaur On Share Buyback, Quitting LSE

By Irene Madongo

Centaur Media PLC confirmed on Friday a program to return up to £64 million ($88 million) to shareholders as it looks to leave the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

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