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Thermo Fisher Buys Solventum's Purification and Filtration Business for $4.1 Billion

Thermo Fisher Scientific is acquiring Solventum's purification and filtration business for $4.1 billion, a deal expected to expand the company's presence in bioprocessing. The acquisition should allow Thermo to gain entry into the filtration category, where peers Danaher and Repligen are more strongly positioned. Thermo expects the deal to be dilutive in its first year of ownership but accretive by 2025.

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Honeywell International is set to expand its energy business with the acquisition of Sundyne, a leading manufacturer of engineered pumps and gas compressors, as part of its efforts to strengthen its presence in the aviation, automation, and energy sectors. The deal will add to Honeywell's unit catering to the energy and petrochemical industries, while enhancing its aftermarket services business. By acquiring Sundyne, Honeywell aims to capitalize on the growing demand for industrial equipment and services.

Shell is considering a potential sale of its chemicals assets in Europe and the United States, as it aims to simplify its operations and focus on its core businesses. The energy group has hired Morgan Stanley to conduct a strategic review of its chemicals operations, which are expected to be significantly impacted by lower seasonal demand. Shell's trading in its chemicals and oil products division is expected to decline quarter-on-quarter due to reduced seasonal demand.

Moderna's Court Victory has resulted in a 8% increase in stock value after a German court ruled that BioNTech and Pfizer must pay Moderna damages for infringing on its mRNA patents. The company is now seeking damages based on all sales of Comirnaty over the last three years. This move is seen as a major win for Moderna, which had been seeking compensation for what it claims are stolen intellectual property rights.

The energy group has hired Morgan Stanley to conduct a strategic review of its chemicals operations, the report said. Shell declined to comment. Morgan Stanley did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours. The review is in its early stages and Shell has not yet made any definitive decisions regarding a potential sale, the Journal reported, adding that one of the assets included in the review was Shell's Deer Park facility in Texas. Last year Shell sold its refining and chemicals hub in Singapore, one of the world's largest.

Avecho Biotechnology reported a loss of AU$0.001 per share for its full year 2024 earnings, a significant improvement from the previous year's loss of AU$0.002 per share. The company's revenue increased by 139% to AU$1.13m, driven by growing demand for its products. Despite this positive trend, Avecho Biotechnology still faces financial challenges.

Saudi Aramco is in the early stages of considering a potential bid for BP's lubricant business Castrol, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The Saudi oil giant's interest comes as BP reviews its Castrol business, aiming to generate $20 billion in divestments by 2027. A successful acquisition could help Aramco expand its presence in the global lubricants market.

Rocket Cos.'s acquisition of Redfin Corp., valued at $1.75 billion, signals a significant shift in the property market as the financial technology group delves deeper into the industry with a new listing site. The deal represents a premium of 63% over Redfin's common stock price, indicating investor confidence in Rocket's ability to integrate home search with its existing platform. By acquiring Redfin, Rocket aims to accelerate its purchase and AI strategy, aiming for $200 million in run-rate synergies by 2027.

Shell is considering the sale of its chemicals assets in the US and Europe as part of a strategy to refocus on more profitable operations. The move aims to diversify Shell's portfolio and increase returns for shareholders. This decision could have significant implications for the energy sector.

Moderna's stock price surged nearly 16% higher following a court ruling in Germany that found Pfizer and BioNTech had violated a COVID-19 patent held by Moderna. The company, best known for producing the Spikevax vaccine, will receive compensation from its rivals for the use of the patent in developing their own COVID jab, Comirnaty. This decision establishes a significant precedent for intellectual property protection in the pharmaceutical industry.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) saw a significant increase in share price by 9.30 percent to close at $28.09 apiece on Tuesday, driven by rumors of a potential acquisition deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. The company has announced participation in two investor conferences, sparking hopes for new developments and possible partnerships. Despite the recent earnings report showing widening net losses, investors have expressed optimism about the company's future prospects.

BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ:ONC) has surged in value this year, driven by solid Q4 and full-year results that demonstrate the company's growth potential. The stock's global revenue growth of 78% year-over-year to $1.1 billion in Q4 2024 highlights the increasing demand for cancer treatments. As the global population ages, the number of cancer patients is expected to rise, creating a significant opportunity for companies like BeiGene to expand their market share.

Philip Morris International Inc. is considering selling its U.S. cigar business as part of its broader strategy to pivot towards smoke-free products. The company is reportedly seeking over $1 billion for the cigar division, which was acquired through the recent $16 billion purchase of Swedish Match AB. This move aligns with Philip Morris's goal to reduce its reliance on traditional tobacco products, with a target of smoke-free items making up two-thirds of sales by 2030.

Chimerix, Inc. (NASDAQ:CMRX), a biopharmaceutical company, experienced a significant surge in share price last week, jumping 60.5 percent to $8.43 per share, following the announcement of its acquisition by Jazz Pharmaceuticals for $935 million. The deal grants Jazz access to Chimerix's clinical asset dordaviprone, a novel treatment for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a rare and high-grade brain tumor. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.

BP's lubricant business Castrol is expected to be worth $6 billion to $8 billion, according to analyst Ashley Kelty. The business has been put up for sale as part of a strategic review by the company. BP has underperformed peers and faced increasing pressure to change strategy after activist investor Elliott Investment Management built a 5% stake in the company.

Walgreens Boots Alliance will be taken private by private equity firm Sycamore Partners in a $10 billion deal, ending nearly a century of public trading for the second-largest U.S. pharmacy chain. The acquisition reflects Walgreens' struggles with declining prescription margins, increasing debt, and competition from bigger stores. The purchase price represents a 90% drop from the company's $100 billion value in 2015.

Sycamore Partners' potential buyout of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. could lead to a significant shift in the pharmacy retailer's business segments, potentially sparking consolidation in the healthcare industry as private credit lenders and banks vie for financing opportunities. The acquisition plans involve splitting up Walgreens into separate businesses, which could impact the company's operational capacity and strategic direction. Private equity firms have a history of restructuring companies through acquisitions.

Consumer Reports has released its list of the 10 best new cars to buy in 2025, highlighting vehicles with strong road test scores and safety features. The announcement comes as Eli Lilly & Co. is expanding its distribution of weight-loss drug Zepbound at lower prices, while Target is scaling back its DEI efforts amidst declining store visits. Meanwhile, Costco's luxury goods segment continues to grow, and Apple has secured President Trump's backing for its new investment plan.

Pfizer Inc.'s (NYSE:PFE) dividend yield currently stands at around 4%, significantly higher than many of its peers, making it an attractive option for income-seeking investors. Despite the recent market rally, Pfizer's stock has remained relatively stable, with a beta score indicating lower volatility compared to other large-cap pharmaceutical companies. However, this stability may be due in part to its diversified portfolio and substantial cash reserves.

Ascend Performance Materials Inc. has secured fresh financing from some of its creditors, providing the company with time to restructure its debt and address concerns over its financial health. The new loan will give Ascend a much-needed lifeline as it navigates earnings pressure and approaches a loan maturity next year. By obtaining this rescue financing, the chemicals firm aims to shore up its liquidity pool and make progress on restructuring its debt.

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NASDAQ:SIMO) stands out from the other small-cap stocks due to its strong financial performance and innovative products. The company's revenue has been growing steadily, with a significant increase in 2024, driven by its leadership in the flash memory market. Additionally, SIMO has a strong track record of delivering high-growth rates, making it an attractive option for investors seeking long-term returns.

Mars has announced an eight-part investment-grade bond offering worth between $25 billion to $30 billion to finance its takeover of Pringles maker Kellanova, one of the largest acquisition financing deals expected this year. The bond offering will help Mars complete its acquisition of Kellanova, a deal reportedly valued at over $3 billion. The move is part of Mars' efforts to expand its portfolio through strategic acquisitions.

Super Micro Computer's server manufacturer is experiencing a significant shift after receiving clearance from Nasdaq on its financial reports, prompting several insiders to cash out millions of dollars worth of stock. Insider sales come at a time when the company is regaining compliance with listing standards and is working towards a $40 billion revenue target for 2025. The recent developments raise questions about the motivations behind these insider sales.

Sunshine Biopharma Inc. has announced the acquisition of rights to two gastrointestinal drugs, including Prucalopride, a generic version of Resotran, which is indicated for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adult women. The company's plan to launch these drugs positions it well to capitalize on the growing demand in the chronic idiopathic constipation market, expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.64% from 2024 to 2034. By expanding its portfolio of life-saving medicines, Sunshine Biopharma aims to solidify its position as a leading player in Canada's pharmaceutical industry.

Armis is acquiring Otorio, a specialist in securing industrial and physical environments, for $120 million in cash and shares. The deal will integrate Otorio's flagship product, Titan, into Armis' Centrix platform, expanding its focus from cloud services to industrial machinery and wider industrial environments. By combining their technologies, Armis aims to provide more comprehensive cybersecurity solutions across various physical spaces.

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXSM) is experiencing a significant surge in value due to the settlement of patent litigation with Teva Pharmaceuticals and FDA approval for its treatment SYMBRAVO. The company's pipeline candidates for Alzheimer's and narcolepsy are also showing promising results in Phase 3 clinical trials. As a result, Axsome Therapeutics' stock price has risen substantially so far in 2025.