Mereo BioPharma Group Ltd is a London, UK–based specialty biopharmaceutical company that builds a pipeline by acquiring validated, mid-stage development programs from large biopharmaceutical companies. In conjunction with a funding round it raised $119M (c. £76.5M) and acquired a portfolio of programs from Novartis; Novartis received shares in consideration and will hold an equity stake. The acquisition included three clinical-stage programs: BPS-804 (a fully human monoclonal antibody for osteogenesis imperfecta), BCT-197 (an oral p38 MAP kinase inhibitor for acute exacerbations of COPD), and BGS-649 (an oral aromatase inhibitor for hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism). Mereo's stated strategy is to acquire and develop innovative medicines—particularly in rare and specialist disease areas—through partnering deals or, for selected opportunities, by commercializing products itself. Leadership named in the article includes CEO Dr Denise Scots-Knight (Pollard-Knight), Chairman Dr Peter Fellner, CMO Dr Alastair MacKinnon, CFO/COO Richard Bungay, Charles Sermon, and Head of Corporate Development John Richard. The company's financial position was bolstered by the $119M funding round, with backers including UK institutional investors Woodford Investment Management and Invesco Perpetual.

Total raised

$120M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jul 2015