Adds: MAI Capital Management, Howden, Eli Lilly, Biogen; Updates: Unilever
March 31 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1330 GMT on Tuesday:
** Unilever ULVR.L said it will merge its food business with spice maker McCormick MKC.N in the second-largest food transaction in history, a deal that will create a company worth roughly $65 billion. nL6N40J0DU
** Howden announced that it has agreed to acquire the insurance and financial services consulting team (IFS) of Hymans Robertson, launching Howden Insurance Actuarial & Longevity (Howden IAL). nL6N40J18S
** MAI Capital Management said that funds managed by investment firm Carlyle Group CG.O will buy a majority stake in a deal valuing the wealth management firm at more than $2.8 billion.
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** Eli Lilly LLY.N said it would buy Centessa Pharmaceuticals 260y.F in a deal valued at up to $7.8 billion as the U.S. drugmaker looks to diversify beyond its metabolic portfolio and expand into treatments for sleep disorders. nL4N40J0X9
** Biogen BIIB.O has agreed to acquire Apellis Pharmaceuticals APLS.O for about $5.6 billion in cash, expanding its portfolio of rare-disease medicines, the companies said.nL4N40J0Y8
** Optio Group said it has agreed to acquire London-based MGA Gardian Marine Ltd, expanding its marine specialty portfolio. nL6N40J0ZG
** JC Flowers has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Niyam Group and will also act as lead investor in Niyam Syndicate 2047, the private equity firm said.
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** American Exchange Group (AXNY) entered an agreement on Monday to buy all the assets and liabilities of footwear maker Allbirds BIRD.O for $39 million. nL6N40J01Q
** Sysco SYY.N said on Monday it would buy catering supplier Jetro Restaurant Depot in a $29 billion deal expanding the top U.S. food distributor's reach among price-conscious independent restaurants.nL6N40I0XU
(Compiled by Rajarshi Roy and Sanskriti Shekhar in Bengaluru)
((Sanskriti.Shekhar@thomsonreuters.com))