Acquisitions in Massachusetts in 2023

Concentra Biosciences, a vehicle controlled by Tang Capital Partners, has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire clinical-stage biotech Theseus Pharmaceuticals for $3.90–$4.05 per share in cash plus a contingent value right tied to future program licensing/disposition proceeds. The transaction will be effected by a tender offer and is expected to close in February 2024, subject to customary conditions and the availability of required cash at closing.

Bristol Myers Squibb has agreed to acquire Karuna Therapeutics for $330 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $14.0 billion (about $12.7 billion net of cash). The acquisition adds Karuna's lead neuroscience asset KarXT and its early-stage pipeline to BMS's neuroscience portfolio, accelerating capability and late-stage product expansion in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

MyHome, the marketing and technology subsidiary of Williston Financial Group (WFG), has acquired Volly, a provider of marketing automation and creative services for banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders. The deal expands MyHome's lead generation, conversion, and retention capabilities for mortgage and real estate lenders and brings Volly's services into WFG Enterprise Solutions.

West Monroe, a global business and technology consulting firm, has acquired Inspired Health, a Boston-based market insights and commercial strategy consultancy serving life sciences clients. The deal expands West Monroe’s life sciences capabilities, adds a Boston office at 2 Liberty Square, and brings experienced industry leaders from Inspired Health into West Monroe’s team.

Denver-based IMA Financial Group has acquired EBS Insurance Brokers, a Newton, Massachusetts–based employee benefits brokerage. The deal expands IMA's presence in Massachusetts and strengthens its employee benefits capabilities for employer clients across New England.

Wealth Enhancement Group, a national independent wealth management firm, has acquired Asset Management Resources, LLC, an independent RIA led by J. Christopher Boyd based in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The acquired team brings approximately $236 million in assets under management and will expand Wealth Enhancement Group's presence in Massachusetts to four offices.

Certara, Inc. has acquired Applied BioMath to expand its biosimulation capabilities and establish the life sciences industry's largest quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) center of excellence. The acquisition combines Certara's biosimulation and AI portfolios with Applied BioMath's proprietary QSP platform and modeling expertise to industrialize QSP and accelerate drug development.

Integrated Water Services, Inc. (IWS), a Sciens Water-backed provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions, has acquired KLa Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of jet aeration and jet mixing technology headquartered in Assonet, Massachusetts. The acquisition expands IWS’s treatment technology capabilities and production of wastewater reuse solutions, enabling a more integrated offering for industrial manufacturers, water utilities, and municipalities.

Webster Financial Corporation, through its principal bank subsidiary Webster Bank, N.A., signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ametros Financial Corp from funds managed by Long Ridge Equity Partners for $350 million in cash. The acquisition brings Ametros' $804 million in deposits under custody and over 24,000 members to Webster, enhancing the bank's healthcare financial services capabilities and providing a low-cost, long-duration deposit base.

TowerBrook Capital Partners has made a majority equity investment in Demakes Enterprises, a Lynn, Massachusetts-based manufacturer of specialty protein and deli products. The Demakes family will retain a significant minority stake and the transaction was financed by funds managed by the Credit Group of Ares Management alongside other credit partners; TowerBrook intends to scale the business organically and via targeted acquisitions to expand distribution and product reach.

Prime Global Medical Communications, a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, has acquired Aventine Consulting, a U.S.-based market access and payer communications consultancy. The add-on purchase (terms undisclosed) expands Prime's U.S. evidence and access capabilities and establishes a local market access presence to better serve U.S.-based and global clients.

PerkinElmer has acquired Covaris, a Woburn, Massachusetts-based developer of instruments, consumables, and reagents for high-throughput genomic and proteomic sample preparation. Both companies are majority owned by New Mountain Capital; the acquisition expands PerkinElmer's life-sciences portfolio and accelerates its entry into the diagnostics and NGS sample-preparation market. Terms were not disclosed.

imaware has acquired binx health's at-home consumer testing business in a deal that expands imaware's test menu and strengthens its position in the home-health testing market. binx health will retain its point-of-care molecular diagnostics business, which was excluded from the transaction.

AbbVie Inc. acquired Cerevel Therapeutics for $45.00 per share, valuing Cerevel at approximately $8.7 billion, to bolster AbbVie's neuroscience pipeline. The deal adds Cerevel's clinical-stage assets—including emraclidine, tavapadon, CVL-354 and darigabat—and is intended to expand AbbVie's capabilities and commercial potential in psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Phoenix-based integrated marketing firm Off Madison Ave has acquired Boston-area public relations agency CGPR from French/West/Vaughan (FWV). The acquisition expands Off Madison Ave’s capabilities in travel, outdoor recreation and active-lifestyle PR, with CGPR continuing to operate as a division under founder Chris Goddard.

Pritchard Industries, a New York–based facilities services provider, has acquired ACP Facility Services, a national commercial maintenance and cleaning company. The deal (terms undisclosed) expands Pritchard's geographic footprint and capabilities—notably into life sciences and manufacturing verticals—and names ACP COO Michael White as Pritchard's Regional Vice President of New England.

AbbVie has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ImmunoGen for $31.26 per share in cash, valuing the company at approximately $10.1 billion. The deal gives AbbVie commercial rights to ELAHERE (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) and ImmunoGen's ADC pipeline, expanding AbbVie's oncology capabilities; the transaction is expected to close in mid-2024 subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Synagro Technologies, Inc. has acquired New England Fertilizer Company (NEFCO), a Massachusetts-based biosolids management company, in a strategic transaction that expands Synagro's thermal-drying and beneficial-use capabilities. The deal adds five large facilities and several major municipal clients to Synagro's network, advancing its circular-economy offerings and capacity for biosolids beneficial use.

Seacoast Capital has made its first investment from Seacoast Capital Partners V by providing equity and debt to support a majority recapitalization of Focus Technology Solutions alongside the company's management team. The financing enables a management-led recapitalization, promotes Chris Caprio to CEO, and provides working capital to support Focus's growth in managed IT, cloud and cybersecurity services.

ServicePoint, a portfolio company of Mill Point Capital, has made a strategic investment in INNO4 LLC, a Boston-based technology integrator focused on data infrastructure, audio visual, IT services and managed services. The deal positions INNO4 to continue growing under its existing management team while expanding ServicePoint's geographic reach and service capabilities across the United States and Canada.

Merck (MSD) will acquire Caraway Therapeutics, a Cambridge, Massachusetts–based preclinical biopharmaceutical company, for up to $610 million in potential consideration, including an undisclosed upfront payment and contingent milestone payments. The acquisition is intended to strengthen Merck’s research pipeline and capabilities in developing small-molecule treatments for genetically defined neurodegenerative and rare diseases.

Zevra Therapeutics completed the acquisition of Acer Therapeutics in a stock-and-contingent-value-rights transaction, bringing the FDA-approved product OLPRUVA and clinical-stage candidate EDSIVO into Zevra's portfolio and transitioning Zevra to a commercial-stage rare disease company. The deal included Zevra's purchase of Acer's senior secured debt and issuance of approximately 2.96 million shares plus CVRs (up to $76 million), and was followed by a registered direct offering to a healthcare-focused investment fund.

Edelman Financial Engines (EFE) has acquired PRW Wealth Management, a Quincy, Massachusetts–based Registered Investment Advisor managing over $500 million in AUM for roughly 200 clients. The deal expands EFE’s wealth planning capabilities and local presence in the greater Boston area as part of the firm’s ongoing acquisition-driven growth strategy.

Affiliates of KKR completed a take-private acquisition of Chase Corporation at $127.50 per share, and Chase common stock has ceased trading on the NYSE American. KKR will support Chase’s growth and employee ownership initiatives and named Lance Reisman as Chair of the Board to help drive strategic acquisitions and operational improvements.

TELEO Capital-backed Sharpen Technologies (SharpenCX) has acquired The Plum Group, Inc. (Plum Voice), a provider of AI-driven voice-based customer interaction technology. The acquisition integrates Plum Voice's IVR, conversational AI and telecom capabilities into Sharpen's cloud contact center platform to strengthen its contact center offerings.

IT Solutions Consulting, a Philadelphia-based managed service provider, has acquired Spade Technology, an MSP headquartered in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The deal expands IT Solutions' national footprint into New England and marks the company’s eighth acquisition (third in 2023), with no financial terms disclosed.

Salary.com has acquired HCR Software, maker of the CompXL enterprise incentive compensation planning application, and integrated it into its CompAnalyst Total Compensation Management (TCM) platform. The deal expands Salary.com's enterprise compensation planning capabilities—adding spreadsheet-like flexibility, incentive plan support (merit, bonus, commissions, LTI, equity) and broader cloud-based automation and HR system integrations.

Willistown Capital has made a strategic growth investment in High Output to support the company's continued expansion of event production, AV installations, and soundstage services. Additional financing participants included Spring Capital Partners, Merion Investment Partners and Penstock Equity; founders John Cini and Jim Hirsch will remain in leadership roles.

An affiliate of Symphony Technology Group (STG) completed an all-cash acquisition of Avid Technology for approximately $1.4 billion, taking the media and entertainment software company private. Avid stockholders received $27.05 per share; Avid will remain headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, and STG said it will support accelerated innovation and growth.

May River Capital has partnered with Boston Centerless, a Woburn, Massachusetts-based manufacturer and distributor of precision ground bar materials, in a minority growth investment. Boston Centerless founder/CEO Steve Tamasi and the company leadership will remain in their roles and retain a significant ownership stake; terms were not disclosed.

The Bay Crane Companies, Inc. has acquired Locke Crane Services, LLC, a family-owned crane, rigging and heavy-haul services provider, expanding Bay Crane's New England footprint and branch network. The acquisition adds Locke's fleet and experienced team to Bay Crane’s regional operations to broaden its turn-key lifting and heavy-haul capabilities across New England.

Trane Technologies has acquired Nuvolo, a cloud-based provider of connected workplace and enterprise asset management solutions built on the ServiceNow platform. The acquisition brings Nuvolo's SaaS capabilities and ~250 associates into Trane's digital portfolio to accelerate growth in facilities and asset management across healthcare, life sciences, retail, education and public sector customers.

Main Capital Partners has made a majority investment in Lux Scientiae, Incorporated (LuxSci), a U.S.-based provider of HIPAA-compliant secure communications and hosting solutions for healthcare and other regulated industries. The partnership will provide LuxSci with resources to accelerate product development, pursue strategic acquisitions, and expand internationally while Main leverages its healthcare and security software experience to support growth.

The Travelers Companies, Inc. agreed to acquire Corvus Insurance Holdings, Inc. for approximately $435 million to expand Travelers' cyber underwriting and risk-management capabilities. Corvus, an insurtech-focused managing general underwriter specializing in cyber insurance and powered by AI-driven risk analytics, will be integrated into Travelers to enhance its cyber product suite and distribution.

CORE Industrial Partners completed an investment in Century Box, a Methuen, Massachusetts-based folding carton manufacturer. CORE will partner with the Kagan family and Century Box management to accelerate growth, expand capabilities, and pursue complementary acquisitions; Frank Papa will join as Chairman.

Genezen closed an $18.5 million follow-on growth equity financing led by Ampersand Capital Partners to accelerate expansion of its viral vector development and GMP manufacturing capabilities. The capital will support build-out and technology investments at Genezen's facilities (including the Fishers, Indiana GMP viral vector site) to scale retroviral, lentiviral and AAV vector production and support additional customer programs.

Isovera, a full-service digital creative agency, has acquired The Boston Group (TBG), a global marketing communications firm, to combine capabilities and expand service offerings for B2B and B2G clients. The deal will double Isovera's size and broaden its expertise across sectors including aerospace & defense, government, healthcare, financial services and utilities to deliver integrated digital and brand communications services.

Wellcove by CHCS Services, an existing portfolio company of TELEO Capital Management, has acquired AssuriCare, a Waltham, Massachusetts–based provider of electronic visit verification and nurse assessment software for the long-term care market. The add-on acquisition is intended to integrate AssuriCare’s EVV and assessment capabilities into Wellcove’s senior market administration platform to streamline claims processing and expand capabilities for payers, providers, and home care agencies.

Boston-based Roko Labs, a full-service custom software development firm, has received a growth investment from Boston private equity firm WestView Capital Partners. The capital will support Roko Labs' plans to scale its service offerings and expand its delivery footprint across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.

PSG, a growth equity firm, led a strategic growth investment in AirWorks to fund product innovation, accelerate market penetration, and expand go-to-market and partner capabilities. PSG's Adam Marcus will join AirWorks' board, and existing investors also participated in the round.

Youth Enrichment Brands (YEB), the Roark Capital-backed youth activities platform headquartered in San Rafael, California, has acquired School of Rock, the performance-based music education franchisor and operator. The deal brings School of Rock’s more than 500 schools and 180,000+ students into the YEB network as an add-on to expand YEB’s music education capabilities and accelerate growth; Sterling Partners exited as seller.

Hull Street Energy (HSE) has made a strategic growth investment in Upstream Tech to support the company's HydroForecast and Lens platforms for water forecasting and remote monitoring. The partnership will provide capital and sector expertise to help Upstream Tech expand its team, scale product development, and accelerate deployment in energy, water management, and environmental markets.

JPA Health, a Great Point Partners-backed full-service healthcare agency, has acquired True North Solutions, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based life sciences consulting firm that specializes in predictive analytics, AI-driven solutions and medical affairs. The deal (an add-on to JPA Health) brings True North's analytics, visualization and AI capabilities into JPA's life sciences offerings and transitions True North founder Colin Baughman and his team into JPA Health.

Investment affiliates of KKR completed the acquisition of CIRCOR International, Inc. for $56.00 per share, taking the company private and delisting its common stock from the New York Stock Exchange. KKR said it will support CIRCOR’s growth and operational improvements, appointing Dan Daniel as board chair and implementing an employee ownership program.

Primus Capital has made a growth equity investment in Prendio and sister company BioProcure to support organic growth, expansion into additional life-sciences markets, and continued product and service innovation. The investment will back Prendio's cloud-based eProcurement SaaS and BioProcure's procure-to-pay support services for biotech customers; Aeris Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to the sellers and law firms Latham & Watkins and Goodwin Proctor served as legal advisors.

Heads Up Technologies, a portfolio company backed by JLL Partners, has acquired ALTO Aviation, a Sterling, Massachusetts-based designer and manufacturer of premium OEM and aftermarket cabin audio and cabin management systems. The acquisition expands Heads Up's product portfolio and strengthens its presence in the OEM and aftermarket business aviation markets.

BitGo Holdings, Inc. has acquired HeightZero, a turnkey digital asset management platform (TDAMP) for wealth managers and RIAs. The deal integrates HeightZero’s advisor-focused platform with BitGo’s institutional-grade custody and wallet infrastructure to offer a secure, scalable solution for advisors and asset managers seeking digital asset exposure.

Jones Lake Management, backed by Fort Point Capital, has completed the acquisition of Water & Wetland, LLC, a New England–based pond and lake management services provider headquartered in Grafton, Massachusetts. The deal establishes Jones Lake Management's presence in New England and continues its platform expansion in the lake and pond management market.

Veramed, a specialist biometrics CRO, has acquired Clinical Trial Data Services (CTDS), a data management, biostatistics and medical writing firm founded by Terri Sampo. The acquisition expands Veramed's global footprint and data management capabilities, growing the combined biometrics team to over 350 professionals and enhancing end-to-end biometrics support for biotech and pharma sponsors.

GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, a ChrysCapital portfolio company, has acquired MRA (Medical Record Associates, LLC), a Boston-based provider of HIM, auditing and cancer registry services. The deal expands GeBBS' end-to-end onshore revenue cycle management (RCM) capabilities, US-based delivery footprint and service offering for hospitals, health systems and payers.