Fundraising

Capital Today, a Shanghai-based growth capital provider, has closed its first private equity fund $80 million above target.

GTCR will invest its ninth and largest fund using the firm’s manager-focused strategy.

Global pharmaceuticals group Pfizer paid a reported $400m to acquire PowderMed, a UK DNA-vaccines company backed by Advent Venture Partners, Abingworth Management, Oxford Bioscience Partners and SV Life Sciences.

A €1bn fund dedicated to global secondaries brings Swiss asset manager Partners Group’s total fundraising to €2.6bn in the last five months.

Abraaj Capital is in negotiations with United Arab Emirates investment firm Al Qudra Holdings regarding the sale of a major stake in the Dubai-based private equity firm.

Credit Suisse has held a $2.1 billion close on its latest fund DLJ Merchant Banking Partners IV.

HarbourVest, Lexington Partners and Partners Group have invested in the Nasdaq-listed buyout firm’s new fund.

Fifteen new investors have committed to DBFII, closing above its original target of £200m.

The Los Angeles-based firm has closed one of the largest mezzanine funds ever, according to a report.

The Paris-listed private equity manager invested €1.165 billion in buyouts in the year to 30 June 2006, including its acquisition of Europcar from Volkswagen.