Simmons & Simmons has advised BlueCrest on the acquisition by its partners of Man Group’s 25.5% stake in the BlueCrest group for a total consideration of $633 million.  In addition, Simmons & Simmons advised on the simultaneous acquisition of retired co-founder Bill Reeves’ remaining interests in the BlueCrest group.

CMS has advised Advent International, the global private equity firm and a longstanding Key Account of CMS, across seven countries on the agreement to acquire Provimi Pet Food (PPF), the third largest producer of private label wet and dry pet food in Europe, from the Provimi Group for an enterprise value of €188 million. The transaction is expected to complete following European Union merger clearance as well as the completion of certain other works council processes.

Leading global law firm Mayer Brown advised Elara Capital Plc as sole lead manager and bookrunner in relation to the listing by Hoang Anh Gia Lai Joint Stock Company (HAGL), one of the largest private companies in Vietnam, on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange- the first overseas listing for a Vietnamese company.

Willkie client Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and consumer products giant The Procter & Gamble Company announced a joint venture to combine their over-the-counter consumer health care businesses in all markets outside of North America. This new business model combines Teva’s broad geographic reach, its experience in R&D, regulatory and manufacturing and its extensive portfolio of products with P&G’s strong brand-building, consumer-led innovation and go-to-market capabilities. The markets included in the joint venture generated 2010 sales of more than $1 billion. The joint venture will seek opportunities to develop prescription-to-OTC switches, which will be marketed worldwide, including in North America. Teva will also be responsible for global manufacturing, supplying both the joint venture and P&G’s existing North American business.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is the legal advisor to MMC Norilsk Nickel – one of the largest global mining companies and the world’s largest producer of nickel – in the swap of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s stake in OAO OGK-3 for a stake in OAO INTER RAO UES.

Davis Polk advised Warner Chilcott plc on the refinancing of its existing credit facility with a new $3.25 billion credit facility, comprised of $3 billion senior-secured term loan A and B facilities and a $250 million revolving facility. In connection with the refinancing, Warner Chilcott obtained improved pricing, including reductions in interest rate margin and the LIBOR floor, extended maturities, and made certain other changes. As under the prior credit facility, the loans and other obligations under the credit facility are guaranteed and secured by the majority of Warner Chilcott’s subsidiaries located across North America and Europe.

Davis Polk advised J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBS Securities Inc. and The Bank of Nova Scotia as joint-lead arrangers and joint bookrunners in connection with a $1.125 billion 3-year revolving credit facility provided to National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (NRUCFC). The facility will be used by NRUCFC for general corporate purposes.

Latham & Watkins LLP announced today that it has opened a new office in Boston, adding six new partners and one counsel with extensive experience in the Boston market. These attorneys represent a broad array of public and private companies in the technology, clean technology and life sciences industries. Latham’s newest office, located in the John Hancock Tower, will offer clients advice on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets and other financing transactions including: leveraged recapitalizations, management buyouts, public and private mergers and acquisitions, growth equity investments, early and late stage private equity investments and securities offerings.

Ropes & Gray has represented Liberty Global Inc. in connection with the financing for its approximate €3.16 billion (US$4.48 billion) acquisition of Germany’s third-largest cable TV operator Kabel BW Erste Beteiligungs GmbH (“KBW”), from Swedish private equity group EQT Partners AB. The transaction brings together Germany’s second- and third-largest cable companies. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the second half of 2011.