Charterhouse has agreed to take private Animalcare, a veterinary‑pharmaceutical group, in a deal that adds another high‑growth pet‑care asset to its portfolio. The move follows a wave of private‑equity activity sparked by a surge in pet ownership during the COVID‑19 pandemic, which has lifted demand for veterinary drugs and services. The £200 million deal will be funded with equity and debt.

Investors are drawn to the sector despite mounting regulatory scrutiny over drug pricing and animal welfare standards. European authorities have begun probing price‑setting practices, raising compliance costs for firms like Animalcare. Compliance teams are already revising contracts to meet new guidelines. Nonetheless, the underlying market continues to expand, with pet‑care spending projected to outpace overall consumer spending in the next few years.

Across the continent, Eurazeo announced the opening of a Munich office aimed at backing Germany’s Mittelstand companies, signalling a strategic pivot toward mid‑size industrial and technology firms. Early targets include a robotics manufacturer and a specialty chemicals producer. The new hub will give the French fund a foothold in a market that has attracted sizable capital inflows, underscoring Europe’s broadened private‑equity focus.