Iris Dorbian
First Analysis has made an undisclosed investment in Courtagen Life Sciences Inc. Based in Woburn, Massachusetts, Courtagen is a genetic diagnostic tests provider focused on pediatric neurologic and metabolic disorders.
First Read starts your morning with news that eBay is nearing a deal to sell its enterprise unit to a Permira-led group for around $900 million, Microsoft launches a service that combats child porn and U.S. foreclosure activity drops to a 10-year-low for the first half of the year.
In Second Opinion, Amazon's "Prime Day" sales reportedly beats Black Friday, Toshiba expects to book up to $3 billion losses over an accounting scandal and Harper Lee's new novel "Go Set a Watchman," which portrays iconic character Atticus Finch in a less than favorable light, sets a one-day sales record for Barnes & Noble.
Water Street Healthcare Partners has named Paul T. Cottey as chief information officer. Cottey is a former executive partner at Accenture.
Praesidian Capital has provided $12 million in debt financing to Landmark Holdings, a Missouri-based operator of long-term acute care hospitals. Creative Health Capital LLC advised Landmark on the transaction. The capital will be used to refinance Landmark and consolidate the company's financing lines into one credit entity.
Sun Capital Partners Inc has sold its stake in Vari-Form Inc to Crowne Group LLC. No financial terms were disclosed. Based in Troy, Michigan, Vari-Form is a maker of front end structures, cross members, roof rails, frame rails, instrument panel beams, radiator supports and engine cradles for pickup trucks, SUVs and light vehicles.
CounterTack has acquired ManTech Cyber Solutions International, ManTech International Corp's commercial software unit. No financial terms were disclosed. CounterTack's backers include TenEleven Ventures and EDBI.
MidOcean Partners has acquired KidKraft Inc, a maker of gifts, toys, play sets and children's products. No financial terms were disclosed. Lazard provided financial advice to KidKraft on the transaction.
First Read kicks off the morning with news that Celgene is planning on acquiring Receptos for $7.2 billion, Uber settles a wrongful death lawsuit in San Francisco and Kleiner Perkins’ John Doerr says VCs are "pathetic" for excluding women.
In Second Opinion, Twitter stock surges to nearly eight percent after false report of $31 billion takeover bid, online dating giant Match.com buys Canadian rival PlentyOfFish for $575 million and retail sales drop unexpectedly in June, the first time in four months.