Linklaters was pleased to advise Dah Sing Financial Holdings Limited and Dah Sing Banking Group Limited in a HK$10.6bn (US$1.37bn) transaction.

Dah Sing Financial Holdings has agreed to sell its life insurance subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Macau to Thai Hot Investment, a PRC conglomerate.

Upon completion of the sale, the Dah Sing Group’s banking subsidiaries are expected to enter into 15-year insurance distribution agreements with the life insurance companies under their new ownership.

Delphi has advised EQT Ventures on its first three investments in the Nordics.

The EQT Ventures Fund was announced last week. Additional information is available in EQTs
press release.

The funds first three investments in the Nordics are:

Min Doktor, (MD International AB) (https://mindoktor.se)

Wolt, (Wolt Enterprises Oy) (https://wolt.com)

Verto, (Verto Analytics Oy) (http://www.vertoanalytics.com)

Simpson Thacher is representing Blackstone’s Tactical Opportunities fund in connection with the announced NZ$200 million minority investment in Partners Group Holdings Limited, a fast-growing insurance company based in New Zealand.

Established in August 2010, Partners Life has grown to become one of the most substantial competitors in the New Zealand life insurance industry with close to 130,000 customers. Its products include life insurance, income protection, medical insurance, disability insurance, trauma cover and business risk protection.

Seoul:  Herbert Smith Freehills has advised Korea's YG Entertainment on an US$85 million investment by China's Tencent and Weiying Technology.

Globally known for its roster of K-pop artists and entertainers – including K-pop artists such as BigBang, Psy (of Gangnam Style fame) and 2NE1, and numerous actors and actresses, such as Kang Dong Won and Jong Suk Lee – YG Entertainment is a rapidly growing Korean entertainment company listed on the KOSDAQ market of the Korea Exchange.

Global law firm Baker & McKenzie has provided legal assistance to AFG as it looks to  strengthen the existing vinyl windows supplier partnership with the acquisition of a 31% minority share in Gaulhofer. The companies will continue to operate independently in the market. The investment comes as part of a capital increase at Gaulhofer Group.

International law firm Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW“) advised Principia SGR (“Principia”) – via its fund “Principia III – Health”- in connection with its investment in the corporate capital of French pharmaceutical company Ixaltis Sas (“Ixaltis”).

Hamburg-based independent private equity firm CAPCELLENCE has in a new issue of shares acquired 49 % of the Swiss Argo-Hytos group. The capitalization was raised exclusively through equity capital and CAPCELLENCE could provide additional EUR 5M for continued international growth.

Argo-Hytos is a market leader for customized hydraulic systems with approximately EUR 130M in annual sales and 1,275 employees.

Setterwalls' advised in relation to Argo-Hytos operations in Sweden.

Setterwalls team consisted of Håkan Fohlin and Girion Blomdahl.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP advised EQT in connection with the formation of the EQT Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital fund advised by the EQT Ventures team at EQT Partners. The fund will invest in fast-growing, innovative and tech-enabled companies across Europe, supporting great entrepreneurs throughout different stages of growth. EQT Ventures secured commitments totaling EUR 566 million.

International legal practice Osborne Clarke has advised US client Accelovance Inc on its UK subsidiary Accelovance Europe Holding Limited's agreement to acquire four THERAMetrics clinical research organisation ("CRO") subsidiaries in Germany, Italy and Romania. The CRO subsidiaries are THERAMetrics GmbH, THERAMetrics S.p.A., THERAMetrics CRU, S.r.l., and THERAMetrics S.r.l.

Opun was established in 2014 and aims to improve home improvement experiences by combining leading-edge software, trade experience and expertise and customer guarantees. The service is live in Kent at the moment but plans to expand into London and the home counties in the coming months. In a strategically important move, Aviva has agreed to back Opun by investing £3m in three tranches, subject to achievement of milestones.

Fieldfisher's team was led by corporate director Guy Burman, supported by associate Julian Grant and tax partner Mark Gearing.