Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Healthcare and Life Sciences Deals Dominate Activity

Private equity firms have been actively pursuing opportunities in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Archi Med has agreed to take biopharma firm Esperion Therapeutics private in a deal valued at $1.1 billion. Warburg Pincus-led investor group is also in talks to acquire a controlling stake in pharmacy Pantherx Rare from Nautic Partners, General Atlantic, and The Vistria Group. In addition, EQT has sweetened its bid for Australian fund manager Perpetual, with an improved offer of A$22.07 per share after its initial approach was rejected EQT sweetens Perpetual bid.

In the medical technology and services space, Inflexion has signed a deal to acquire Primed Group, a German provider of single-use medical consumables, from Paragon Partners. Battery Ventures-backed ORTEC has completed an add-on acquisition of TOBA HR Solutions, expanding its regional healthcare client base. Audax and Linden are looking to sell Stat Lab Medical Products to Leica Biosystems. Meanwhile, Ana Cap-backed Ryze has signed a deal to acquire valuation firm Krata in Spain.

Technology and Software Acquisitions Continue

The technology and software sectors have seen consistent deal-making activity. Francisco Partners is in advanced talks to acquire a controlling stake in construction software maker Command Alkon for as much as $1.3 billion Francisco Partners closes in on $1.3bn Command Alkon buyout. Bridgepoint is set to acquire a majority stake in GBA Group, a laboratory testing business based in Hamburg, Germany, serving environmental, food, and life sciences markets. VSS has exited its investment in tech services company Centroid Systems, which focuses on Oracle Cloud solutions. Gemspring-backed Amplix has acquired tech sourcing and procurement firm One Connect.

Industrial and Infrastructure Sectors Attract Investment

Private equity firms are also active in the industrial and infrastructure sectors. Atlas Holdings-backed Stryten Energy has acquired KPS-backed C&D Trojan Battery, expanding its battery manufacturing and component facilities across the U.S. Atlas Holdings-backed. AE Industrial has acquired powder spray producer Powder Alloy, establishing a specialty materials platform. CAI Capital-backed Green Arrow has acquired three transportation tech firms, bolstering its advanced transportation infrastructure and electrical services. Godspeed-backed ICE USA has snapped up easement acquisition and project management firm SLC.

Real Estate and Financial Services Sees Notable Transactions

In the real estate sector, Ares Management has completed its $1.7 billion take-private acquisition of Whitestone REIT, a U.S. retail property owner Ares completes $1.7bn take-private of Whitestone REIT. Arrow Global has added Milan real estate developer Borio Mangiarotti to its portfolio. Separately, KKR is marketing Europe's first debt deal backed by PayPal's buy now, pay later loans KKR markets Europe's first debt deal backed by PayPal buy now, pay later loans. Stone Point Capital and Further Global, with Permira backing, have acquired Kroll (formerly Duff & Phelps).

Secondaries Market Shows Robust Activity

The secondaries market is demonstrating significant momentum. Louisiana Teachers are exploring a secondaries sale to reduce their buyout asset allocation and increase liquidity. Credit manager Serone has launched a buyout secondaries strategy with hires from Ardian and UBS. High Vista has also launched its GP-led secondaries strategy. Asante is building its APAC secondaries business with an ex-Evercore hire, while Moelis is building out its LP-led secondaries business with a team from Evercore. Ardea Partners has also tapped an MD from PJT for its secondaries advisory team.

AI and Fintech Attract Significant Investor Interest

Artificial intelligence and fintech continue to be hot areas for investment. Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Anthropic have launched an AI services provider called Ode with Anthropic, with backing from Apollo Global Management, General Atlantic, GIC, Goldman Sachs, Leonard Green, and Sequoia Capital. OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is in talks to launch an AI drug discovery startup valued at $2 billion, signaling investor interest in applying AI to life sciences breakthroughs. Venture funding into fintech startups climbed nearly 23% year over year in H1 2026, with a concentration of investment in AI and financial infrastructure.

Consolidation and Strategic Moves Across Sectors

The private markets industry is experiencing consolidation, with several firms acquiring other players. KKR has agreed to acquire a 51% stake in Thomson Reuters’ global print business for $500 million. Apollo and Clearlake are also among firms acquiring other private markets firms, highlighting an ongoing trend of consolidation. In the music rights sector, Cutting Edge has acquired the music rights and royalties of TV/film composer Brian Tyler's catalog. Pophouse has acquired a stake in Iron Maiden's music and NIL rights.

Pension Funds and Institutional Investors Realign Portfolios

Large institutional investors are also making strategic moves. The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has posted a preliminary net investment return of 14.8% for the year to June 30, 2026, with private equity being a strong contributor Private equity lifts CalPERS to 14.8% return as pension eyes flexibility. Separately, CalPERS is also reportedly seeking investment management advice for its $1.66 billion AUM. The UK pension schemes' shift towards private markets is supported by policy and regulation, though pace depends on fee mechanics.

Fundraising and Growth Strategies

Fundraising and growth strategies are also in focus. Greylock has capped its new fund at $1.5 billion, aiming to remain a highly supportive partner to its founders by limiting investments to approximately 25 per fund. Carlyle Alp Invest has closed its second single-asset-focused fund on $1.7 billion, surpassing its target and predecessor fund. EQT-backed Syntetica has raised $30 million, with backing from Lululemon. Monumental, a robotics startup, has raised $32 million backed by Khosla Ventures.