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The UK pharmaceutical giant has announced a landmark $15bn China investment during the UK prime minister’s visit, marking its largest expansion yet to boost manufacturing, R&D and biotech collaboration.

India and the EU have signed a free trade agreement after years of negotiating; over 90% of goods are set to move tariff free.

Allied Gold owns several large gold mines in Africa with the Canadian firm describing the all-cash offer as "friendly"; its annual gold output is expected to increase to 25 tonnes by 2029.

Coller Capital is a global secondaries firm with around $50bn in AUM and six Apac offices. EQT's CEO believes Coller's business can double in size in under four years; the PE giant is paying up to $3.7bn. In Japan, EQT has launched a bid for Mamezo.

The Standard Chartered supported issuance follows the Qatar National Bank’s $500m offering in November.

FinanceAsia's editorial team picks five of the biggest stories from the year across M&A, ECM, digital assets and Trump's tariffs.

YP05002, developed by Yao Pharma, is in Phase 1 clinical development in Australia and can potentially help with metabolic diseases; Yao Pharma will receive an upfront payment of $150m for a worldwide licence.

Cross was most recently chief financial officer at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing.

Nelson has been interim chair since October 1 after Mark Tucker left the global bank to rejoin AIA.