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U.K.-based Imperial Innovations is planning to raise 140 million pounds ($219.4 million) for an investment fund designed to commercialize technology from British universities, Reuters reported. The group will raise the money from shareholders, and aims to begin partnerships with Oxford and Cambridge universities and University College London. Imperial Innovations was formed at Imperial College London in 1986.

Buyout shop Pacific Equity Partners has approached Tasmanian salmon farmer Tassal Group about a takeover bid for the company worth as much as 278 million Australian dollars ($275 million), Reuters reported. The firm would offer about $1.80 to $1.90 per share for Tassal, Reuters said. Pacific Equity Partners is based in Sydney, Australia.

Denver-based private equity firm KRG Capital Partners has acquired Consolidated Equipment Parts and its subsidiaries, collectively known as AllPoints. The firm acquired AllPoints from Chicago-based private equity firm Pfingsten Partners. Financial terms of the deal were not released. AllPoints distributes maintenance, repair and operation parts, supplies and equipment to the foodservice industry. AllPoints is based in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Minerco Resources, a cleantech energy company based in Latin America, has raised $5 million from Centurion Private Equity, an affiliate of Alpharetta, Ga., based Roswell Capital Partners. The financing is designed to help fund Minerco's construction of a hydro-electric project in Honduras, as well as to fund future potential acquisitions.

China’s Bright Foods Group Co. is close to a $2.5 billion to $3 billion deal to buy vitamin chain GNC Holdings, Reuters reported. Pittsburgh-based GNC Holdings is owned by Ares Management and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. Ares and the pension plan bought GNC in 2007 from private equity firm Apollo Management in a deal with a total enterprise value of $1.65 billion.

San Francisco-based firm Bay Grove Capital has acquired cold storage company Flint River Services for an undisclosed amount. By buying the Georgia-based Flint River, Bay Grove Capital adds to its growing portfolio of cold storage companies including CityIce and Seafreeze Cold Storage.

As a means to combat climate change, the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corp. said it will pour at least $300 million into new private equity investment funds focused on renewable technologies in emerging markets. The group will issue a call for proposals from private fund managers investing in businesses that promote renewable energy and the sustainable utilization of natural resources. The Overseas Private Investment Corp. was formed by the U.S. government in 1971. It is designed to complement the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment.

Buyout Shop CVC is mulling a bid for British pub company Punch Taverns, Reuters reported, citing a piece in the Mail. The private equity firm is reportedly in talks with Punch adviser Goldman Sachs about a bid. Punch Taverns controls 6,000 pubs in the UK.

UK-based media group Chorion may place a bid for Hit Entertainment, a media and entertainment distribution company owned by private equity firm Apax Partners, Reuters reported, citing a story in the Sunday Times. The deal could reportedly reach as high as 1 billion pounds ($1.58 billion). Jeffries is advising Chorion on the deal, Reuters said.

Juniper Networks is paying $95 million to buy virtualization security firm Altor Networks. Altor had previously raised capital from Accel Partners, DAG Ventures and Foundation Capital. The company was also backed by the Junos Innovation Fund, which is funded solely by Juniper Networks. Juniper says the deal will allow it to expand its security offerings. Altor was formed in 2007 and based in Redwood Shores, Calif.