IBT-investee Sangamo set to disclose gene edited drug data US biotech Sangamo Therapeutics (Nasdaq: SGMO), a mid portfolio but recently enlarged holding for the UK-listed International Biotech Trust (IBT), is set to report the first clinical data from its SB-913 in vivo genome edited therapeutic for Hunter syndrome, at a scientific conference later this week. Sangamo will […]
AZN lupus setback shifts focus to J&J/Lilly drugs The failure last week of the first of two Phase III studies of an AstraZeneca monoclonal antibody in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) – and the now assumed lower prospects for success in the second almost identical trial – looks as if it will reduce yet further the industry’s […]
JZ Capital sells Water Treatment Industries to a fund advised by the managers – TWH Water Treatment Industries, Inc. (“Water Treatment Industries”), a subsidiary of one of JZ Capital Partners‘ portfolio companies, Triwater Holdings LLC has agreed to enter into a merger agreement with a newly incorporated subsidiary of DuBois Chemicals, Inc., a company controlled by Resolute Fund […]
IP Group-backed Genomics raises £25m in a Series B Genomics plc, a University of Oxford spin-out backed by UK-based healthcare/tech VC investor IP Group (LSE: IPO), has closed a £25.0m Series B financing round led by the major US biotech, Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Woodford Investment Management – manager of the Woodford Patient Capital Trust (WPCT) – Invesco Perpetual, Oxford […]
Hg, the Manager of HgCapital Trust, has announced that it has made an investment in Allocate Software, which it describes as, “a leading international provider of workforce solutions to the healthcare, defence and maritime sectors”. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. HgCapital Trust plc will invest approximately £14.0 million in Allocate, alongside other institutional clients of Hg that […]
HICL Infrastructure sells AquaSure desalination stake – HICL Infrastructure Company has entered into an agreement to sell its 9.7% interest in the AquaSure Desalination PPP Project. The value of the group’s investment in AquaSure was increased by approximately 10% in September 2017, in line with a market transaction earlier that year. The disposal price agreed will generate […]
Phaunos now embroiled in Matariki lawsuit – Phaunos Timber Fund says that it has been made aware by Rayonier Canterbury LLC that Rayonier has issued proceedings in the Auckland High Court alleging a breach by Phaunos of confidentiality, notice and consultation obligations in the shareholders agreement between the parties in relation to their respective interests in the Matariki […]
Swiss-listed HBM Healthcare (HBMN) may see a gain from its investment in the private Danish company Y-mAbs Therapeutics, which has filed an S1 registration to raise up to $92m in a Nasdaq IPO. HBM has an 8.2% shareholding in Y-mAbs, which it valued at CHF23m (1.9% of NAV) in its accounts – suggesting the company currently has a CHF280m […]
Biotech trust stock favourite Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) gained more than 16% yesterday after the presentation of ostensibly highly positive clinical trial data on one of its key competitors at a scientific meeting. Alnylam is held by several of the sector’s specialist investment trusts including Biotech Growth (BIOG, 3.6% of NAV) and BB Biotech (BBB, 3.6% of NAV) […]
BB-backed Ionis hit as FDA rejects Waylivra Shares in Ionis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IONS), a key shareholding for BB Biotech (10.9% of NAV) and several other specialist investment vehicles, fell by more than 12% after hours yesterday, after the FDA issued a complete response letter (CRL) – effectively a rejection – of its new drug application for Waylivra (volanesorsen). The […]
Standard Life UK Smaller Companies – outperformance, merger and lower fees – the NAV of Standard Life UK Smaller Companies (SLS) delivers a total return of 24.8%, compared with the total return of 8.5% of it’s reference index, the Numis Smaller Companies plus AIM (excluding Investment Companies) Index. Outperformance The company’s performance was good throughout the year in question with a particularly […]
Electra’s Formal Sales Process is closed – but the Strategic Review continues For sometime, Electra Private Equity (ELTA) has been conducting a strategic review on itself. The objective of the review has been to consider all options for the future direction of the company and to implement a strategy to optimise shareholder value. There had been two previous […]
Better Capital 2012 warns on Everest/SPOT – The Better Capital PCC Limited 2012 Cell has made an announcement about its end March NAV. Everest Valuation at 31 March 2018/SPOT Progress BECAP12 GP Limited, General Partner of BECAP12 Fund LP, has informed the board of Better Capital PCC Limited that: in the process of finalising the 2017 annual […]
Trust favourite Gilead gears up for filgotinib RA Phase III data Gilead Sciences, a widely held stock among biotech investment trusts and a top 10 holding for BB Biotech (BBB, 5.1% of NAV) and Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG, 3.9%), is expected to report top-line results from two trials involving its JAK 1 selective inhibitor filgotinib in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in ankylosing […]
WPCT takes profits on Autolus post IPO share price rise Woodford Patient Capital Trust (WPCT) appears to have taken some profits on its investment in the high-flying second generation CAR-T therapy company, Autolus Therapeutics, through a partial sale of its recently-boosted stake, according to an analysis of trust’s shareholdings in July reported this morning. This is […]
AbbVie exercises option for HBM-backed Argenx antibody Dutch/Belgian antibody company Argenx (Euronext & Nasdaq: ARGX), a top ten holding for Swiss-listed HBM Healthcare (HBMN, 2.6% of NAV) has disclosed that AbbVie has taken up its option to licence the preclinical stage immuno-oncology product ARGX-115. Argenx and AbbVie, a US based pharmaceutical major, entered into an option deal covering ARGX-115 in April […]
WPCT-backed Immunocore enters Phase I with lead GSK project Woodford Patient Capital Trust (WPCT)-backed Immunocore has started a Phase I study of IMCnyeso, the lead engineered T cell product under its collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), for a range of cancers. The 63-patient Phase I/II study will assess ImmTAC in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), […]
Schroder European Real Estate buys three industrial properties – Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust has exchanged contracts to purchase three industrial assets in the Netherlands for a total purchase price of EUR19.8 million, reflecting a combined net initial yield of 6.5%, with a weighted unexpired lease term of approximately 9 years. In Venray, the Netherlands, Schroder […]
Oakley Capital investing in cPanel – Oakley Capital Investments Limited will invest in cPanel via the Oakley Funds. WebPros BV, the holding company that owns Plesk and Solus VM, and which Oakley Capital Private Equity III first invested in in April 2017 (when WebPros bought Plesk), is acquiring a majority stake in cPanel from its founder J. Nick […]
BB-backed Ionis approaches key regulatory events Ionis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IONS), a key shareholding for BB Biotech (10.9% of NAV) and several other specialist investment vehicles, is approaching a number of important regulatory events. In particular, these include the outcome of the FDA review for Waylivra, which has a deadline at the end of this month. Waylivra has been developed […]
Hg Capital sells Kinapse – HgCapital Trust has announced the sale of Kinapse to Syneos Health, a leading biopharmaceutical solutions organisation. Kinapse is a market leading advisory and operational solutions provider to the global life sciences industry. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This transaction values the company’s investment in Kinapse at approximately GBP7.9 million. […]
Augmentum makes three new investments – Augmentum Fintech has announced an aggregate of GBP 7 million of investment in three leading European fintech companies – Tide, Previse and DueDil. GBP3 million in Tide, an emerging leader in SME challenger banking, as part of an GBP8 million funding round alongside existing investors GBP2 million investment in Previse, the global […]
Regional REIT adds eight offices to its portfolio Regional REIT (RGL) has announced that it has exchanged and completed on contracts to purchase eight assets for £31.4 million. (Update 24/08/2018) the acquisition was completed on 23rd August 2018. Regional diversification The portfolio is spread out from the Stockton-on-Tees in the North to High Wycombe in the South. […]
BlackRock Emerging Europe’s liquidation plans announced – on 14th June, the Board of BlackRock Emerging Europe (BEEP) announced that its tender offer had not secured enough money to make continuing running the company viable. Click here to read more on our coverage of that decision. The Board of BEEP have looked at the options and have come up with […]
HBM-backed Argenx has biotech industry’s most valuable unpartnered R&D asset Dutch/Belgian antibody company Argenx (Euronext & Nasdaq:ARGX), a top ten holding for Swiss-listed HBM Healthcare (HBMN, 2.9% of NAV), has the biotech industry’s most valuable unpartnered R&D asset in the form of its lead compound efgartigimod for myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune diseases, according to industry […]
WPCT avoids losses on Woodford-backed Abzena Woodford Investment Management will have to take a second painful hit on one of its major biotech investments in less than a week, after the UK-based drug discovery services company Abzena agreed to a low-ball private equity takeout today after seeing a sustained share price decline. This deal follows the […]
IBT adds to Celgene, reduces Neurocrine in July rejig International Biotechnology Trust (IBT) appears to have boosted its shareholding in Celgene – which has risen by one place and ~ two NAV percentage points to become its top investee company, as part of a rejig of its largest investments in July. According to the trust’s latest […]
Lazard World Trust Board responds to City of London letter – On 15th August, we reported that City of London Investment Management (CLIG), who run the investment trust City of London (CTY), has written a letter to the Directors of Lazard World Trust Fund (WTR) explaining its intention to oppose renewing the WTR’s buyback authority at the EGM to be held on […]
John Laing Environmental Assets acquires another anaerobic digestion plant – John Laing Environmental Assets (JLEN) has announced the acquisition of an anaerobic digestion (AD) asset, from Merlin Renewables Limited for a total consideration, including working capital, of c. £18.1 million. Location The Merlin AD plant is located in Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire and was commissioned in September 2014. The […]
Stafford Capital responds to Phaunos’ defence document – on 14th August 2018, the Chairman of Phaunos Timber (PTF) sent a letter to Phaunos Shareholders, giving them an update on plans to wind up the company and to reject the cash offer made on 3rd July by Stafford Capital Partners. Click here to see a copy of the letter In […]
