Investments
China's CF PharmTech raises $90m Series E
CF PharmTech, a Chinese devices maker focused on respiratory health, has raised $90 million in Series E funding led by local private equity investor New Alliance Capital.
Longreach buys another Japanese coffee shop chain
The Longreach Group has made its second foray into Japan’s coffee shop space with an agreement to acquire Chat Noir, operator of more than 190 stores nationwide, primarily under the Caffe Veloce brand.
Everstone backs US, India-based generics developer
The Everstone Group has agreed to invest $50 million in Slayback Pharma, a developer of generic and specialty drugs with a presence in India and the US.
India's True North makes $75m biosimilars bet
True North has invested INR5.36 billion ($74.6 million) in the biosimilars business of India-listed pharmaceuticals giant Biocon.
Chinese genetic testing player secures $115m round
Geneseeq, a Chinese genetic testing company that focuses on treatments for cancer, has raised RMB800 million ($115 million) in a funding round led by state-owned China Reform Holding Corporation.
Chinese biopharma player secures $100m Series B
Elpiscience, a Shanghai-based biopharmaceutical company has completed a $100 million Series B round of funding led by specialist healthcare GP Hyfinity Investments.
Talking points: 2019 in quotes
What industry participants had to say at AVCJ events on co-investment, technology opportunities in Vietnam, what LPs want to hear from GPs, Indian buyouts, long-dated funds, and late-stage deals in China deployment during times of uncertainty, responding...
SoftBank Vision Fund invests $275m in India's Lenskart
SoftBank Vision Fund has led a Series G round of more than $275 million for Lenskart, an Indian omnichannel eyewear retailer, facilitating exits for several early investors.
Timeline: 2019 by numbers
A selection of the key fundraising, investment and exit events - presented in chronological order - from the past 12 months
China's Hua Capital buys chip unit from US-listed Synaptics
Hua Capital, a Chinese investment firm that primarily focuses on the semiconductor industry, has agreed to acquire an Asia-based mobile LCD chip business from US-listed Synaptics for $120 million in cash.
PEP bids $517m for Australia's Village Roadshow
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has submitted a A$761.2 million ($517 million) bid for Village Roadshow, an Australian media company that operates cinemas and theme parks and has interests in film production and distribution.
Anacacia takes stake in Australia logistics business
Anacacia Capital has made an investment of unspecified size in Direct Couriers, a courier and logistics services provider that operates in Australia and New Zealand.
Deal focus: China's Benlai takes a different approach to group buying
Community group buying businesses are beginning to struggle in China despite considerable VC investment. Fresh produce retailer Benlai believes its online-to-offline hybrid model is more sustainable
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2020
Industry experts weigh in as a range of macro factors promise to reshape markets across the region. Political, demographic, and scientific variables loom large
Chinese industrial internet platform gets $42m Series A
Xreacloud, an industrial internet-of-things (IoT) platform incubated by Chinese state-owned construction machinery manufacturer XCMG, has raised RMB300 million ($43 million) in Series A funding.
Denham, Nexif acquire Vietnam hydro player
Resources industry private equity firm Denham Capital and Singapore-based power management company Nexif have jointly acquired a 94% stake in Vietnam’s Song Giang Hydropower.
Australia's Blackbird completes Fund I strip sale
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has completed a GP-led secondary transaction whereby StepStone Global and HESTA have acquired interests from its debut fund for approximately A$100 million ($69 million).
Singapore medical tech start-up raises $40 million
Awak Technologies, a Singaporean start-up that makes wearable dialysis treatment devices, has raised $40 million co-led by Vickers Venture Partners and an unnamed medical technology company.
Deal focus: 2C2P brings enterprise to SE Asia fintech
Cento Ventures picked 2C2P as the first investment under its late-stage strategy, having been one over by the company's B2B approach to digital payments
Q&A: Permira's Kurt Bjorklund
Kurt Bjorklund, a co-managing partner at Permira, explains how a sector-focused investment style is becoming indispensable in Asia’s competitive and disruption-prone markets
Reliance buys majority stake in India's NowFloats
Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries has agreed to buy an 85% stake in local enterprise IT provider NowFloats for INR1.4 billion ($20 million). It positions several VCs to exit.
China's largest co-working player Ucommune files for US IPO
Ucommune, China’s largest co-working space player which is considered the local equivalent to troubled US operator WeWork, has filed for a US IPO.
Tiger Global leads round for Indian invoice discounting platform
Tiger Global Management has led a $26 million Series B round for Indian B2B financing platform provider KredX.
New Zealand impact fund backs sustainable packaging player
New Zealand’s Impact Enterprise Fund (IEF) has confirmed an investment in local sustainable packaging supplier Grounded.