Author: Legal Parivar

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to acquire US-based biotechnology firm Avidity Biosciences Inc., according to a Bloomberg report citing sources. The acquisition price is said to be over $70 per share, with the possibility of an announcement as soon as October 26, 2025 (US time), provided no last-minute issues arise. Representatives from both Novartis and Avidity did not immediately comment on the reports. The discussions between Novartis and Avidity have reportedly been ongoing since August 2025, as noted by the Financial Times. If completed, the deal would mark another addition to Novartis’s recent…

Mumbai witnessed an unexpected spell of heavy rainfall on October 26, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a Yellow Alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts for today and tomorrow. Residents have been warned about isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, moderate showers, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h. The downpour comes at an unusual time of the year, marking an unseasonal wet spell in the city. The IMD has advised caution and urged people to avoid low-lying areas and remain alert to changing weather conditions. The rainfall is part of a wider weather system affecting the…

Bengaluru-based cloud kitchen operator Curefoods, which runs brands like EatFit, CakeZone, and Krispy Kreme, has received approval from capital markets regulator SEBI for its ₹800 crore initial public offering (IPO), according to sources familiar with the development. The IPO will consist of a fresh issue of shares as well as an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 4.85 crore equity shares, allowing several early-stage investors to partially or fully exit. Curefoods’ founder and CEO Ankit Nagori will not be selling any shares in the public offering. Who is selling shares in the IPO?Among the investors looking to offload stakes are Iron…

Haryana-based helmet manufacturer Studds Accessories is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on October 30, marking the third mainboard IPO next week alongside Orkla India and Lenskart Solutions. The IPO will be an entirely offer-for-sale of 77.86 lakh shares by promoters and other existing shareholders. As a result, all proceeds from the IPO will go to the selling shareholders, and the company will not receive any funds from the issue. The anchor book will open for one day on October 29, while the public subscription will run until November 3. The IPO share allotment is expected to be…

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Sunday that its LVM3 launch vehicle is set to carry the CMS-03 communication satellite into orbit on November 2, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. In a statement, ISRO said, “India’s LVM3 launch vehicle will undertake its fifth operational flight (LVM3-M5) to deploy the CMS-03 satellite.” The satellite is a multi-band communication system designed to provide services across a wide oceanic region, including the Indian mainland. Weighing approximately 4,400 kg, CMS-03 will be the heaviest communication satellite launched to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from India. ISRO highlighted that the…

After a relatively quiet spell, the Indian primary market is set to see renewed activity this week, with five new initial public offerings (IPOs) opening for subscription from October 27. Key IPOs This Week Market Context October has already witnessed 10 IPOs, including seven mainboard listings raising ₹35,791 crore, with notable names such as Tata Capital (₹15,512 crore) and LG Electronics (₹11,607 crore). With these five upcoming IPOs, total fundraising for October is expected to cross ₹45,000 crore through 15 listings. The new wave of IPOs reflects strong investor appetite and a continued momentum in India’s primary market, particularly in…

India’s market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has clarified that mutual funds are not allowed to invest in companies before they are officially listed, according to sources cited by Reuters. Certain fund houses had approached SEBI seeking clarification on whether pre-IPO placements—private sales of shares to select investors prior to a company’s official listing—qualify as eligible investments. SEBI stated that mutual fund investments are permitted only during the official IPO process, including large early-stage anchor placements. Mutual funds are not permitted to hold unlisted shares, SEBI communicated to fund managers. Pre-IPO placements are typically reserved for…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that Washington’s efforts to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan will not come at the expense of its longstanding ties with India. Speaking to reporters on Saturday while traveling to the ASEAN summit in Malaysia alongside President Donald Trump, Rubio described the approach as part of a “mature, pragmatic foreign policy”, noting that India maintains relationships with countries the US does not, and vice versa. “I don’t think anything we’re doing with Pakistan comes at the expense of our relationship or friendship with India, which is deep, historic, and important,” Rubio said,…

The Election Commission of India (EC) is set to hold a press conference on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 4:15 PM at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to announce a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters’ lists across India. Officials confirmed that the exercise will cover a nationwide cleanup of electoral rolls, including removal of ineligible entries and updates to existing voter information. Phase One of Pan-India SIR In the first phase, the SIR will be conducted in 10 to 15 states, with priority given to states scheduled for Assembly elections in 2026. These include: The EC will defer the SIR…

The due diligence (DD) phase is the make-or-break checkpoint after securing a term sheet. For first-time founders in India, approaching this with meticulous preparation is the key to a fast, successful closure. DD is the process where investors and their legal/financial advisors verify every claim, document, and compliance status of your startup. A clean DD signals trust and professional management. Phase 1: Pre-DD Preparation – Tidy Up Your House 🧹 The biggest mistake is waiting for the term sheet. Start preparing your documentation now, focusing on a robust, well-organized Virtual Data Room (VDR). 1. The Legal Foundation (Corporate Hygiene) Your…