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Daily Review is our daily roundup of M&A news. Announcements, rumors, insights, and data before your morning coffee. Subscribe and never miss a beat with MergerLinks.
29 April 2025

Merck to acquire SpringWorks Therapeutics for $3.4bn.

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Alkane Resources to merge with Mandalay Resources in a $648m deal.

Alkane Resources, a mining company primarily engaged in the exploration and production of gold and other precious metals, agreed to merge with Mandalay Resources, a resource company, in a $648m deal, according to press releases.

Mandalay Resources is advised by GenCap Mining Advisory, Haywood Securities, Clayton Utz and Goodmans. Alkane Resources is advised by Bell Potter Securities, Euroz Hartleys, Bennett Jones, HopgoodGanim Lawyers, Oakstrom Advisors (led by John Vincic) and Sodali & Co (led by Paul Ryan), according to press releases.
 
Merck to acquire SpringWorks Therapeutics for $3.4bn.

Merck, a global pharmaceutical and chemicals company, agreed to acquire SpringWorks Therapeutics, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on severe rare diseases and cancer, for $3.4bn, according to press releases.

Merck is advised by JP Morgan and Sullivan & Cromwell. SpringWorks Therapeutics is advised by Centerview Partners, Goldman Sachs and Goodwin Procter (led by Stuart Cable). Financial advisors are advised by Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (led by Graham Robinson), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.
 
TPG to acquire Hospitality Solutions business of Sabre for $1.1bn.

TPG, a private equity investment firm, agreed to acquire Hospitality Solutions business of Sabre, a travel technology company, for $1.1bn, according to press releases.

Sabre is advised by Evercore and Haynes Boone (led by Dan Malone). TPG is advised by William Blair & Co and Davis Polk & Wardwell (led by Oliver H. Smith and Darren M. Schweiger), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.
 
Deal Round up
 
AMERICAS

Kpler completes the acquisition of maritime business from Spire Global for $241m.

Airbus to acquire certain assets from Spirit AeroSystems.
 
Platinum Equity-backed Cook & Boardman completes the acquisition of CSI.
 
New Enterprise Associates led a $108m Series D round in Veza.

Apax Partners-backed Altus Fire and Life Safety completes the acquisition of Firetek Sprinkler Systems.

BGM completes the acquisition of YX for $95m.

Vortex Companies completes the acquisition of Prism Contractors & Engineers.

Creative Science completes the acquisition of Astaria Global.
 
Riyadh Air open to buying Boeing planes from canceled Chinese orders. (Reuters)
 
IBM to invest $150bn in the US over the next five years. (Reuters)
 
EMEA
 
Marriott International to acquire citizenM for $355m.
 
CMA CGM-backed CEVA Logistics to acquire Borusan Tedarik for $440m.

Mediobanca to acquire Banca Generali for €6.3bn.

Splice completes the acquisition of Spitfire Audio.
 
India signs $7.4bn deal with France for 26 Rafale fighter jets. (Reuters)
 
DoorDash makes a $3.6bn cash offer for Deliveroo. (Reuters)
 
Erste Group considers €7.3bn acquisition of 49% stake in Santander’s Polish unit. (Bloomberg)
 
Aston Villa explores minority stake sale in women’s team at £60m valuation. (Bloomberg)

Banijay explores the potential takeover of ITV to merge production businesses. (FT)
 
Sanabil backs iMENA with $135m ahead of Saudi IPO plans. (Press Release)
 
APAC
 
Apis Partners and Vitruvian Partners led a $150m Series D round in Thunes.
 
Petrochemical Industries Company to acquire a 25% stake in Wanhua Chemical Group for $638m.
 
Akio Toyoda’s $42bn Toyota Industries buyout plan sparks governance debate. (Bloomberg)

Zepto plans a $176m private credit deal in India offering a 16% yield. (Bloomberg)
 
Yangyuan invests $219.5m for 0.99% stake in chipmaker YMTC. (DealStreetAsia)
 
Blocked Allianz-Income deal becomes a political issue in the Singapore election. (Bloomberg)

Ather Energy raises $158m from anchor investors ahead of IPO launch. (DealStreetAsia)
 
Roborock considers $500m Hong Kong listing backed by Xiaomi. (Bloomberg)
 
Hainan Drinda and Auntea Jenny launch Hong Kong IPOs targeting up to $270m. (DealStreetAsia)
 
Goldman Sachs appoints new M&A leadership for Asia ex-Japan. (Reuters)
COMPANIES
Ather Energy
Banca Generali
Banijay
Bank of Japan
BGM group
Boeing
Borusan
CEVA Logistics
citizenM
Cook & Boardman
Creative Science
Deliveroo
DoorDash
Erste Group
Goldman Sachs
IBM
ITV
Kpler
Kuwait Petroleum
Marriott
Mediobanca
Merck
MSIM
PIC
Sabre
Societe Generale
Spire Global
Thunes
Toyota Motors
Veza
Vortex Companies
Xiaomi
Zepto
 
INVESTORS
Accel
ADIA
Apax Partners
Apis Partners
Atlassian Ventures
Ballistic Ventures
CMA CGM
Franklin Templeton
Google Ventures
JP Morgan
NEA
Norwest
Platinum Equity
Sanabil
Snowflake Ventures
TPG
True Ventures
Vitruvian Partners
Workday Ventures
 
FINANCIAL ADVISORS
Bell Potter
Centerview Partners
Citigroup
Eastdil Secured
Evercore
GenCap Mining
Goldman Sachs
Haywood Securities
HSBC
JP Morgan
Morgan Stanley
Proton Partners
Vertex Capital
William Blair
 
LEGAL ADVISORS
Bennett Jones
Clayton Utz
Cooley
Davis Polk
Euroz Hartleys
Faegre Drinker
Goodmans
Goodwin
Haynes Boone
HopgoodGanim
K&L Gates
Osler
Skadden
Sullivan & Cromwell
 
PR ADVISORS
Kekst CNC
Oakstrom Advisors
Offleash
Sodali & Co
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read on...
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AMERICAS

Kpler completes the acquisition of maritime business from Spire Global for $241m.

Kpler, a data and analytics platform for trade intelligence, completed the acquisition of maritime business from Spire Global, a space-to-cloud data and analytics company, for $241m, according to press releases.

Kpler was advised by Cooley (led by Ben Shribman). Spire Global was advised by Evercore, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath (led by Sean M. FitzGerald) and Osler Hoskin & Harcourt (led by Alex Gorka), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Airbus to acquire certain assets from Spirit AeroSystems.

Airbus, an aerospace and defense company, agreed to acquire certain assets from Spirit AeroSystems, a manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Spirit AeroSystems is advised by Morgan Stanley and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (led by Shilpi Gupta), according to press releases.
 
Platinum Equity-backed Cook & Boardman completes the acquisition of CSI.

Platinum Equity-backed Cook & Boardman, a fully integrated access and security solutions provider, completed the acquisition of CSI, a communication and installation company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

CSI was advised by Vertex Capital Corp (led by Barry Epstein) and K&L Gates, according to press releases.
 
New Enterprise Associates led a $108m Series D round in Veza.

New Enterprise Associates, an American venture capital firm, led a $108m Series D round in Veza, an identity security company, with participation from Atlassian Ventures, Workday Ventures, Snowflake Ventures, Accel, GV, True Ventures, Norwest, Ballistic Ventures, JP Morgan and Blackstone Innovations Investments, according to press releases.

Veza was advised by Offleash, according to press releases.

Apax Partners-backed Altus Fire and Life Safety completes the acquisition of Firetek Sprinkler Systems.

Apax Partners-backed Altus Fire and Life Safety, a full-service fire and life safety services platform, completed the acquisition of Firetek Sprinkler Systems, a sprinkler system company specializing in fire prevention solutions, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Apax Partners was advised by Kekst CNC (led by Todd Fogarty), according to MergerLinks data.

BGM completes the acquisition of YX for $95m.

BGM, a raw material pharmaceutical company, completed the acquisition of YX, an intelligent mobility technology platform, for $95m, according to press releases.

Vortex Companies completes the acquisition of Prism Contractors & Engineers.

Vortex Companies, a trenchless water and sewer infrastructure solutions company, completed the acquisition of Prism Contractors & Engineers, a full-service engineering and contracting firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Creative Science completes the acquisition of Astaria Global.

Creative Science, a company dedicated to bridging gaps in animal care, completed the acquisition of Astaria Global, a science-driven equine health company known for its groundbreaking orthobiologic therapies - in pain management and equine asthma, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
 
Riyadh Air open to buying Boeing planes from canceled Chinese orders. (Reuters) 

Riyadh Air, the new Saudi airline, has expressed willingness to purchase Boeing aircraft originally intended for Chinese carriers if deliveries are disrupted due to the ongoing US-China trade tensions. CEO Tony Douglas confirmed the airline’s interest on April 28 as Boeing seeks to find new buyers for jets caught in the delivery dispute.

The US plane maker has been repatriating aircraft blocked by tariffs, with Riyadh Air positioning itself as a potential alternative customer. The move could help Boeing manage inventory pressures while supporting Riyadh Air’s growth ambitions.
 
IBM to invest $150bn in the US over the next five years. (Reuters)
 
IBM announced plans to invest $150bn in the United States over the next five years, with more than $30bn earmarked specifically for research and development. The investment will support efforts to expand American manufacturing of quantum computers and advance the company’s broader technology initiatives.

The move reinforces IBM’s commitment to domestic innovation and manufacturing at a time of heightened focus on technological leadership and supply chain resilience. Specific project locations and timelines have not yet been detailed.
 
EMEA
 
Marriott International to acquire citizenM for $355m.

Marriott International, an American multinational diversified hospitality company, agreed to acquire citizenM, a Netherlands-based, global hotel developer, investor, and hotel chain, for $355m, according to press releases.

citizenM is advised by Eastdil Secured and Morgan Stanley, according to press releases.
 
CMA CGM-backed CEVA Logistics to acquire Borusan Tedarik for $440m.

CMA CGM-backed CEVA Logistics, a logistics and supply chain company, agreed to acquire Borusan Tedarik, a logistics company, for $440m, according to press releases.

Borusan is advised by HSBC, according to MergerLinks data.

Mediobanca to acquire Banca Generali for €6.3bn.

Mediobanca, a European investment banking boutique, agreed to acquire Banca Generali, an Italian bank focused on private banking and wealth management for high-net-worth individuals, for €6.3bn ($7.2bn), according to press releases.

Splice completes the acquisition of Spitfire Audio.

Splice, a provider of sound samples catalogue for music producers and creators, completed the acquisition of Spitfire Audio, a UK-based technology company creating virtual instrument sample libraries used for music production, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
 
India signs $7.4bn deal with France for 26 Rafale fighter jets. (Reuters)
 
India has signed a deal with France to acquire 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, valued at INR630bn ($7.4bn), according to a statement from the Indian defence ministry. The agreement covers 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation.

The purchase strengthens India's defence relationship with France, its second-largest arms supplier. The new Rafale jets are intended to bolster India's naval aviation capabilities amid rising strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
 
DoorDash makes a $3.6bn cash offer for Deliveroo. (Reuters) 

Deliveroo’s shares surged 17% after the British meal delivery company revealed it had received a $3.6bn all-cash buyout proposal from US-based DoorDash. The offer, made on April 5, values Deliveroo at £1.80 ($2.25) per share, and the company indicated it would likely recommend the deal to shareholders pending agreement on final terms.

The potential acquisition would strengthen DoorDash’s position in the European market, adding Deliveroo’s established network in the UK and other key territories. Discussions are ongoing, and a formal agreement has not yet been finalized.
 
Erste Group considers €7.3bn acquisition of 49% stake in Santander’s Polish unit. (Bloomberg)

Erste Group Bank is exploring the purchase of a 49% stake in Santander Bank Polska, valued at approximately €7.3bn ($8bn) based on recent stock prices. The Austrian lender is seeking to expand its presence in Poland, one of Europe’s fastest-growing banking markets, according to people familiar with the matter.

Discussions are ongoing and no final agreement has been reached. The potential transaction would allow Erste to strengthen its Central and Eastern European footprint, aligning with its regional growth strategy.
 
Aston Villa explores minority stake sale in women’s team at £60m valuation. (Bloomberg) 

Aston Villa is considering selling a 10% to 20% stake in its women’s football club, Aston Villa WFC, with potential suitors including investors from the US National Women’s Soccer League. The owners are targeting a valuation of up to £60m ($80m).

The move reflects growing investor interest in women’s sports franchises as the segment gains commercial momentum. Discussions are still preliminary, and no final decisions have been made regarding the size of the stake or the timing of a sale.

Banijay explores the potential takeover of ITV to merge production businesses. (FT)
 
Banijay, the French entertainment group, is in early discussions about a potential takeover bid for British broadcaster ITV. The talks focus on a possible merger of their respective production divisions, although the discussions are still at a preliminary stage and may not result in a deal.

Banijay is reportedly considering different structures for the transaction, including a full offer for ITV's studio operations. No formal bid has been made, and the companies have not commented publicly on the negotiations.
 
Sanabil backs iMENA with $135m ahead of Saudi IPO plans. (Press Release) 

Sanabil Investments, the venture arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has participated in a $135m fundraising round for technology firm iMENA. Other investors include New York-based FJ Labs and Saygin Yalcin.

The funding supports iMENA’s plan to restructure into a Saudi entity and relocate its headquarters to Riyadh. The company aims to list on the Saudi stock exchange within two years, positioning itself as part of the kingdom’s broader push to boost its domestic tech sector.
 
APAC
 
Apis Partners and Vitruvian Partners led a $150m Series D round in Thunes.

Apis Partners, an ESGI-native global private equity asset manager, and Vitruvian Partners, a European private equity firm, led a $150m Series D round in Thunes, a global payment infrastructure platform, according to press releases.

Thunes was advised by Proton Partners, according to press releases.
 
Petrochemical Industries Company to acquire a 25% stake in Wanhua Chemical Group for $638m.

Petrochemical Industries Company, a chemical industry company, agreed to acquire a 25% stake in Wanhua Chemical Group, a supplier of chemical innovative products, for $638m, according to press releases.

PIC is advised by Citigroup, according to MergerLinks data.
 
Akio Toyoda’s $42bn Toyota Industries buyout plan sparks governance debate. (Bloomberg)
 
Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda is pursuing a $42bn buyout of Toyota Industries, a move that has boosted shares of both companies but raised concerns about corporate governance in Japan. Investors welcomed the potential transaction, with Toyota Industries’ stock hitting its daily limit and Toyota Motor shares also climbing sharply.

However, the proposed take-private deal could signal a reversal of Japan’s broader reforms aimed at increasing shareholder accountability and reducing cross-shareholdings among conglomerates. The transaction may reignite debates around board independence and transparency within the Toyota Group.

Zepto plans a $176m private credit deal in India offering a 16% yield. (Bloomberg)

Zepto Marketplace, the Indian quick commerce startup, is planning to raise INR15bn ($176m) through a private credit transaction offering yields of up to 16%. The founders intend to issue rupee-denominated bonds with maturities ranging from two to four years.

The financing is expected to close as early as the end of June, although final terms are still being negotiated. The deal highlights the growing appeal of private credit solutions for fast-growing companies seeking flexible capital outside traditional equity markets.
 
Yangyuan invests $219.5m for 0.99% stake in chipmaker YMTC. (DealStreetAsia) 

Hebei Yangyuan ZhiHui Beverage, a Shanghai-listed vegetable and walnut drink producer, has invested CNY1.6bn ($219.5m) to acquire a 0.99% stake in leading Chinese memory chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies. The investment was approved by Yangyuan’s board of directors in December 2023.

Despite early board approval, the deal was only disclosed publicly in an exchange filing on April 26. Yangyuan cited “trade secret” considerations as the reason for the delayed information release to the market.
 
Blocked Allianz-Income deal becomes a political issue in the Singapore election. (Bloomberg)

The failed SGD2.2bn ($1.7bn) sale of Income Insurance to Allianz has become a key political flashpoint in Singapore’s ongoing elections. Criticism has focused on the head of the national labour movement, who is now a parliamentary candidate, for advocating the controversial transaction before it was ultimately scrapped by the German insurer.

The deal’s collapse has fueled broader public debate over governance, transparency, and the role of labor-linked entities in major financial transactions. The ruling party has faced mounting scrutiny over its handling of the matter during the campaign.

Ather Energy raises $158m from anchor investors ahead of IPO launch. (DealStreetAsia)

Indian electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy opened its initial public offering for public subscription on April 28. Ahead of the share sale, the company secured INR 13,4bn ($158m) from anchor investors, demonstrating strong pre-IPO interest in a cooling Indian public market.

The anchor book attracted participation from both global and domestic investors, including the Custody Bank of Japan, Franklin Templeton, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Eastspring Investments, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and Societe Generale.
 
Roborock considers $500m Hong Kong listing backed by Xiaomi. (Bloomberg)

Beijing Roborock Technology, a robot vacuum manufacturer backed by Xiaomi, is exploring a Hong Kong share sale that could raise up to $500m later this year. The discussions are still at a preliminary stage, and no banks have been formally appointed to manage the offering.

The potential listing would provide Roborock with additional capital to support its expansion plans, amid growing international demand for consumer robotics products. Final decisions regarding timing and structure are yet to be made and will depend on market conditions.
 
Hainan Drinda and Auntea Jenny launch Hong Kong IPOs targeting up to $270m. (DealStreetAsia)

Hainan Drinda New Energy Technology, a Shenzhen-listed photovoltaic cell developer, is aiming to raise between $167m and $234m through a Hong Kong listing. The firm plans to sell 64.4m shares priced between HKD20.40 and HKD28.60 ($2.61 and $3.66) each.

Separately, tea drinks company Auntea Jenny launched its initial public offering in Hong Kong, targeting up to $35m. Both listings highlight continued demand for new capital despite broader market volatility in the region.
 
Goldman Sachs appoints new M&A leadership for Asia ex-Japan. (Reuters)

Goldman Sachs has named Sushil Bathija as head of mergers and acquisitions for Asia ex-Japan and Vikram Chavali as head of sponsors M&A for the same region. The appointments were announced in an internal memo on April 28 and later confirmed by a bank spokesperson.

Both executives will work closely with Goldman’s regional and global leadership teams to drive the growth of its M&A business across Asia Pacific markets excluding Japan. The leadership changes come as part of the bank’s broader effort to strengthen its investment banking platform in the region.
 

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