Synerlab, a French pharmaceutical contract manufacturing firm, and AXA Private Equity have acquired Lyofal and IDD-Tech Orleans. Lyofal, a company founded and managed by Jean-Luc Allemand, specialises in custom-lyophilisation (freeze-drying) while IDD-Tech Orleans specialises in the development of solid dosage forms. With these acquisitions, Synerlab reinforces its leading market position

Law firm Taylor Wessing has advised Rutland Partners on the acquisition of Pizza Hut’s UK dine-in restaurant business from Yum! Brands, the global owners of the Pizza Hut brand. In the deal, Rutland acquired the share capital of Pizza Hut UK, the company which owns 330 dine in restaurants and

Law firm Clifford Chance has advised CCM Pharma Midco, a vehicle formed by Cinven Funds, on its purchase of Amdipharm. The transaction values Amdipharm at GBP365m. Amdipharm is a family-owned international niche pharmaceuticals business founded by Bhikhu and Vijay Patel, which buys "legacy products" – typically off-patent generic drugs in

Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners’ portfolio company Vessix Vascular has been acquired by Boston Scientific in a deal worth up to USD425m. Of this, USD125m will be paid at the closing with the balance upon achievement of certain clinical and sales milestones. Vessix has developed a catheter-based renal denervation system

Gulf Oil Corporation, part of the Hinduja Group, has reached an agreement to acquire Houghton International. Houghton, a supplier of metal working fluids, will join a portfolio of global brands owned by the Hinduja group including Ashok Leyland (truck and bus manufacturing) and Gulf Oil International (production and marketing of