IP Group board may struggle to back sweetened Railpen offer, says Deutsche Bank
The board of IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the London-listed technology investor, may struggle to recommend an improved takeover proposal from pension fund Railpen without further concessions, according to Deutsche Bank. Railpen returned with a revised offer ahead of today's put up or shut up deadline, when it must either make a firm bid or walk away.
Railpen lifts IP Group offer with cash, Nanopore stake and Metsera upside
Railpen has raised its takeover proposal for IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), offering shareholders a mix of cash, shares in Oxford Nanopore and a contingent payout linked to the biotech firm Metsera. The pension fund manager, IP Group's largest shareholder with an 18.4% stake, has made two improved proposals to the board since its initial approach on 22 June, following meetings with shareholders and directors.
IP Group rejects Railpen takeover proposal as too low
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the company that backs spin-out businesses, has rejected a takeover proposal from one of its largest shareholders, the railways pension scheme Railpen. The board said the proposal, received on 16 June, materially undervalued the company and its prospects, and was turned down unanimously.
Deutsche Bank unsurprised by IP Group's rejection of Railpen approach
Deutsche Bank has said it is 'unsurprised' that IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) rejected a take-private approach from Railpen, its largest shareholder. The bank, whose analyst Kane Slutzkin rates the stock a 'buy' with a 110p price target, said the non-binding proposal undervalued the company on several counts.
IP Group rejects takeover approach from its biggest shareholder
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the London-listed investor that backs science and technology start-ups, has rejected a £616 million takeover approach from its largest shareholder. The approach came from Railpen, which manages the Railways Pension Scheme and holds 18.4% of IP Group.
IP Group's Istesso starts phase II trial of leramistat in sarcopenia
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the FTSE 250 investment company focused on science and technology businesses, has announced that portfolio company Istesso has begun dosing patients in a phase II trial of its lead drug candidate. The study, named IST-03, is testing leramistat in patients with sarcopenia, a condition involving muscle loss, caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
IP Group appoints former 3i chief as incoming chair
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the LSE-listed science and technology investor, has appointed Michael Queen as non-executive director and chair designate, concluding a succession process announced last year. Queen will take over as chair following the company's annual general meeting on 18 June 2026, when Sir Douglas Flint retires from the board after nearly eight years of service.
IP Group investee company First Light Fusion raises £25m in fusion energy push
First Light Fusion, an IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) portfolio company developing inertial fusion energy technology, has raised £25 million in the first close of a new funding round led by specialist fusion fund Starmaker One and backed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). The round was led by East X Ventures, a UK venture firm, through its Starmaker One fusion fund, with a significant strategic investment from the UKAEA, the government body responsible for leading the UK's fusion energy programme.
IP Group launches Australian cleantech fund with clean energy body
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the LSE-listed science and technology investor, has launched a new fund with Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to back cleantech companies targeting hard-to-abate industries. The IP Group Climate Catalyst Fund has a target size of up to A$150 million, with IP Group contributing A$30 million and the CEFC A$20 million as cornerstone investors at first close.
Here's why IP Group looks undervalued. Three brokers take a deep dive
Analysts at three brokerages maintain 'buy' ratings after strong full-year results IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the London-listed investor that commercialises intellectual property from leading universities, reported a 13% rise in net asset value (NAV) per share to 110.4p for the year ended December 2025, driven by a licensing deal tied to Pfizer's $10 billion acquisition of obesity drug developer Metsera. The company's shares rose 11% on Tuesday to 54.7p.
IP Group portfolio company Oxa raises $103 million in Series D backed by National Wealth Fund and Nvidia
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO), the London-listed science and technology investor, said portfolio company Oxa Autonomy has raised $103 million in the first close of a Series D funding round, backed by the UK's National Wealth Fund and NVentures, the venture capital arm of chip designer Nvidia. IP Group invested £7.5 million from its own balance sheet and a further £19 million through funds it manages on behalf of Australian pension fund Hostplus, giving it a combined beneficial holding of 20.3% in Oxa.
Chart Of The Day: With Past IPOs Slumping, Will Mega-Deals Proceed?
This could be the year of the mega-IPO - with top Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies and SpaceX eyeing 2026 public market debuts. But the performance of past IPOs is souring, raising questions about investor enthusiasm for big deals. The MoneyShow Chart of the Day shows the performance of the Renaissance IPO Index and the S&P 500 Index over the past year. The IPO index generally tracked, or even outperformed, the S&P until September. But it has notably underperformed since then.
