Deals this week: Memebox, Sandoz, Kao Corporation, and Nutrition & Fitness

Memebox has raised $60m in a Series C extension round led by investment firms Goodwater Capital, Altos Ventures, Cowboy Ventures, Mousse Partners, Formation Group, Funders Club, Pear Ventures, Cota Capital, and Janet Gurwitch.

Based in Korea, Memebox is an online retailer specialising in make-up, skincare, and other beauty products.

Memebox plans to use the funds to develop its beauty ingredients and products database, as well as strengthen its global operations.

Sandoz has signed an agreement with Upsher-Smith Laboratories to acquire skincare brand AmLactin.

Sandoz is the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis based in the US and Upsher-Smith Laboratories is a pharmaceutical company also based in the US.

As part of the agreement, Upsher-Smith will continue to distribute AmLactin until full transition to Sandoz.

Kao Corporation has announced its plans to form a joint venture (JV) with Apical Group to produce fatty acids in Indonesia. Named PT Apical Kao Chemicals, the JV will commence operations in 2019.

Kao Corporation is a personal care products manufacturer based in Japan, whereas Apical Group is a producer and distributor of oils based in Singapore.

As part of the agreement, Kao will hold a 35% stake in the JV and Apical Group will hold the remaining 65%. The JV will enable Kao to expand and strengthen its business.

Nutrition & Fitness has announced the acquisition of worldwide rights of e.p.t from Prestige Brands Holdings.

e.p.t is an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test kit and Nutrition & Fitness has acquired the brand under the name NFI Consumer Products.

Nutrition & Fitness is a nutritional supplements manufacturer and distributor based in the US, while Prestige Brands Holdings is a pharmaceutical company also based in the US.

The acquisition will help Nutrition & Fitness expand its presence in the OTC women’s health market.

L’Oréal has announced an investment in Partech Ventures’ early-stage fund Partech International Venture VII.

Partech Ventures is a venture capitalist firm based in the US.

The investment is part of L’Oréal’s strategy to connect with start-ups globally.