Innovation

Samsung Biologics To Acquire PolyPeptide For CHF 1.46 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Samsung Biologics has launched an all-cash public tender offer to acquire PolyPeptide Group for approximately CHF 1.46 billion. The proposed transaction would expand Samsung Biologics into peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients and strengthen its manufacturing presence across the United States, Europe, and India.

Lakestar Closes $300 Million Resilience I Fund For European Defence And Dual-Use Technology

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Lakestar has closed its first dedicated resilience fund with $300 million in commitments to invest in defense and dual-use technology companies across Europe and NATO-allied markets. The oversubscribed fund attracted demand exceeding its original target.

Walker & Dunlop Arranges $228.9 Million Refinancing For Manhattan’s Textile Building

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Walker & Dunlop has arranged $228.9 million in financing for 295 Fifth Avenue, a newly redeveloped Class A office property in Manhattan’s Midtown South submarket. The more than 100-year-old landmark is commonly known as the Textile Building.

Brookfield And CPP Investments To Acquire LXP Industrial Trust For $5.2 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Brookfield Asset Management and CPP Investments have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LXP Industrial Trust in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $5.2 billion. The valuation includes LXP’s net debt and preferred equity.

Omio Group To Acquire Rail Europe To Expand Global Rail Distribution Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Omio Group has agreed to acquire Rail Europe, a global rail booking and distribution platform. The proposed transaction would expand Omio’s presence across consumer travel booking, business-to-business distribution and multimodal ground transportation.

Z.ai Reportedly Reaches $1 Billion Annualized Revenue Run Rate

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Chinese artificial intelligence company Z.ai is on track to become the country’s first independent AI developer to reach $1 billion in annualized revenue, according to Bloomberg. The company reportedly achieved its full-year sales target by July, with that month’s revenue pace translating to approximately $1 billion over 12 months.

Netflix Says GenAI Was Used In Roughly 300 Titles In 2026

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Netflix said generative AI workflows have been used across approximately 300 of its films and series during 2026. Most of the activity has occurred in post-production, although the technology is also being applied from initial concept development through final delivery.

Canva Co-Founders Launch Goals Platform With Pilots In Australia And The U.S.

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Canva co-founder and CEO Melanie Perkins has announced the launch of the Goals Platform, an initiative designed to gather public input about the future people want to create. The platform begins with pilot programs in Wollongong, Australia, and across the United States.

Bank Of America Names Senior Executives To Accelerate AI Adoption Across Global Markets

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Bank of America has appointed several senior executives to expand the adoption of artificial intelligence, digital assets and data-driven tools across its global markets business, according to Reuters. The leadership changes are intended to support technology modernization and greater automation throughout the division.

Bourn: Interview With Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer Roger Vincent About The Embedded Fintech Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Bourn is an embedded fintech and software company that modernizes SME business lending by providing intelligent, flexible working capital solutions. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Bourn co-founder and Chief Growth Officer Roger Vincent to learn more.

Flowgear: Interview With Co-Founder & CEO Daniel Chilcott About Integration, AI, And Builder MCP

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

Flowgear is a globally recognized Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) trusted by businesses of all sizes to streamline data and app-to-app interactions, without the complexity of traditional tools. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Flowgear co-founder and CEO Daniel Chilcott to learn more.

HALO X-Ray Technologies Raises Multimillion-Dollar Funding To Advance Security Screening Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 20, 2026

HALO X-ray Technologies has completed a multimillion-dollar funding round led by Agilent Technologies. Existing investors UK Innovation Science Seed Fund and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund also participated.