Shares in biotech firm C4X Discovery fizz on €414m Sanofi deal April 12, 2021 Shares in C4X discovery jumped today after the biotech company unveiled a €414m (£360m) licensing deal with Sanofi to develop an oral therapy to treat inflammatory diseases. Under the terms of the deal, the London-listed giant will receive an upfront payment of €7m and could receive up to a further €407m in potential development and [...]
One person killed in shooting outside Paris hospital April 12, 2021 Two people have been shot outside a Paris hospital, Reuters reported, citing a French police source. One person is believed to have died while the other was injured and was being treated at the hospital, which is in the upmarket 16th arrondissement. The attacker fled on a motorcycle, the source said, adding that nothing was [...]
Microsoft buys AI firm Nuance for $19.7bn in healthcare push April 12, 2021 Microsoft today said it will buy AI health firm Nuance Communications in a $19.7bn (£14.3bn) deal as it looks to bolster its healthcare offering. Massachusetts-based Nuance offers artificial intelligence and speech technology services designed to automate clinical administrative work and reduce the burden of paperwork on doctors. Microsoft said its offer of $56 per share [...]
Jack Ma’s Ant Group forced to restructure after China crackdown April 12, 2021 Ant Group will be restructured as a financial holding company as part of a crackdown by Beijing on billionaire Jack Ma’s Alibaba empire. China’s central bank today said Ant Group had laid out a “comprehensive and feasible restructuring plan” following pressure from regulators. The agreement will mean the fintech firm cuts “improper” links between its [...]
Huawei shifts focus to software as US sanctions bite April 12, 2021 Huawei today said it will refocus its efforts on software as part of a strategy overhaul aimed at counteracting the impact of US sanctions. The Chinese tech giant also said it will ramp up production of components for electric vehicles in an effort to “boost business resilience”. The controversial company has been rocked by a [...]
Pensionbee targets £384m valuation as it gears up for London float April 12, 2021 Pensionbee is targeting a valuation of up to £384m as it prepares to list on the London Stock Exchange later this month. In a filing today the fintech firm priced its initial public offering at between 155p and 175p per share, giving a market capitalisation of between £346m and £384m. It plans to raise £55m [...]
Google accused of insider trading over secret digital ads programme April 12, 2021 Google has been accused of insider trading in the digital advertising market through its use of a secret programme that allegedly gave it an unfair advantage over rivals. Court documents filed in a Texas lawsuit state the scheme, dubbed Project Bernanke, used access to data about past bids in Google’s advertising exchange to give it [...]
Post Office draws up plan to share profits with postmasters April 12, 2021 The Post Office is said to be considering plans that would enable postmasters to receive a share of the group’s profits. In a speech to senior executives last week, boss Nick Read said he wants ministers to approve a restructuring of the network that would create a “partnership of equals” by 2025. The plans would [...]
Darktrace revenue hits $200m as it confirms London float April 12, 2021 Darktrace today said its revenue surged to almost $200m (£146m) thanks to the pandemic as it confirmed plans to float on the London Stock Exchange. In a filing this morning the Cambridge-based tech firm unveiled its intention to list in London, with its registration document due to be published later today. Darktrace did not provide [...]
London Love Affair: New campaign launches to bring public back to the capital April 12, 2021 As a further easing of lockdown restrictions helps London inch back to normality, a new campaign has been launched calling for the public to rekindle their love for the capital. The London Love Affair campaign, launched by the Central London Alliance, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Integrity International Group, features classic London street [...]
