News and Analysis

Serentis Inc., a UK drug startup formed by former Arakis Ltd. executives, has acquired Surface Therapeutics Ltd., a developer of treatments for dermatological diseases. No financial terms were disclosed. Serentis recently raised Gbp10.3 million in Series A funding from firms like Novo AS, MVM Life Science Partners and Apposite Capital. www.serentis-pharma.com

HomeAway Inc., an Austin, Texas-based operator of an online vacation rentals website, has acquired Owners Direct Holiday Rentals, the second-largest vacation rental website in the UK. No financial terms were disclosed, although existing HomeAway shareholder American Capital Strategies said that it had recently invested an additional $11.5 million into the company.   Other HomeAway shareholders […]

Advanced Communications Technologies Inc. (OTC BB: ADVC), a New York-based reverse logistics company for consumer electronics, has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from H.I.G. Capital. Concurrent with the transaction, ACT has completed its acquisition of Vance Baldwin Electronics, an OWM parts distributor with operations in southern Florida and suburban Atlanta. www.higcapital.com www.advancedcomtech.net

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners has bought the assets of Marine Terminals Inc. for approximately $100 million. Marine Terminals primarily handles and stores steel and alloys. It has two facilities in Blytheville, Ark., and individual terminals in Decatur, Ala., Hertford, N.C., and Berkley, S.C. The five facilities handled approximately 13.4 million tons of steel products in […]

CM Equity Partners is backing a new acquisition platform called Laguna Ventures, which will buy companies that serve the U.S. intelligence community and U.S. Department of Defense. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which also includes CM's commitment to assist in acquisition structuring and financing. McLean, Va.-based Laguna Ventures is led by William […]

Thule Inc., a manufacturer of car rack products, has acquired United Welding Services Inc., a manufacturer of truck toolboxes and other pick-up truck accessories. No financial terms were disclosed. Thule is a portfolio company of Nordic Capital. United Welding was advised on the deal by Citi Capital Strategies.

Last week, buyout pros were talking about Sallie Mae in the same breath as Harman International (i.e., dead deal). Today, the comparison may be closer to Home Depot Supply (i.e., living deal, lower price). J.C. Flowers announced earlier today that its consortium has submitted a revised proposal to Sallie Mae’s board of directors, which would […]

AFS Technologies Inc., a Phoenix

Advanced Lighting Technologies Inc., a lighting manufacturer owned by Saratoga Partners, has acquired Auer Lighting GmbH, the German lighting components business of Schott AG. No financial terms were disclosed. Auer Lighting has annual revenue of around $74 million, and employs 500 people.

The Step2 Company LLC, a Streetsboro, Ohio-based maker of toys for toddlers, has acquired Infantino LLC, a San Diego-based maker of infant toys and accessories. No financial terms were disclosed. Step2 is majority owned by Liberty Partners. www.step2.com www.infrantino.com