• Genomics

  Participated · Series B · Sep 2018

  Genomics develops precision healthcare tools using large-scale genetic data to generate personalised and population-level polygenic risk assessments. Its core product comprises proprietary algorithms and databases that link small genomic variations across thousands of studies to estimate individual risk for common diseases and cancers. The company positions its technology within genomic prevention to enable targeted interventions and tailored screening to prevent disease or catch it early. Genomics plans to use the new £35M funding to further develop its risk estimation technology and to expand its workforce as it aims to reach profitability. It has a team of over 100 people, more than 50% of whom are women with PhDs, and maintains offices in the UK and the US. The company expects adoption to scale over the next decade, forecasting that genetic information will become ubiquitous in healthcare systems and that millions in the UK will soon have personalised risk information based on its tools. Genomics plc is a data science company that uses human genetic information to improve drug development. Its core offering is an analysis engine that links genetic variation at over 14 million positions to changes in 7,000 molecular, cellular, and physiological measurements and disease outcomes, totaling over 100 billion data points. The company applies proprietary machine learning and statistical algorithms to predict the impact, efficacy, and safety of therapeutic interventions. Formed in 2014 by four University of Oxford scientists including Professors Peter Donnelly and Gil McVean, Genomics is based in Oxford, UK. It closed a £25m Series B led by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and plans to use the proceeds to expand, enhance its database, and pursue opportunities in the space. Genomics has also announced a collaboration with Vertex to further advance drug development efforts.

• Oxford Genetics

  Participated · Equity · Aug 2017

  OXGENE combines precision engineering, biology, robotics and bioinformatics to accelerate the design, discovery and manufacture of biologics across gene therapy, gene editing and antibody therapeutics. The company has collaborated with global partners including Abcam, Artios Pharma and The Native Antigen Company, and has signed eight separate licence agreements to provide access to its technology. OXGENE recently announced a strategic partnership with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies to support partners in development and production of biologics, vaccines and gene therapies. Management says the company has more than doubled its revenue in the most recent financial year while increasing headcount by less than 50%, which it attributes to its automation platform and focused business development. The firm positions itself to address growing market demand in synthetic biology and to bring additional technologies to market through partnerships and licensing. Mercia highlights OXGENE’s recognition by large pharmaceutical brands and the company’s potential to deliver medium- to long-term value. Oxford Genetics develops synthetic biology-based tools and services for biologics discovery, development and delivery, including versatile cloning plasmids, custom cloning and DNA synthesis. The company serves academic and biotechnology institutions and has seen growth in clients, key appointments and momentum in cell and gene therapy markets. It has signed multiple licenses, entered two collaborative partnerships with gene therapy companies, and filed five new patents to extend its IP. Led by CEO Ryan Cawood, Oxford Genetics plans to use new funding to expand its physical footprint and R&D capabilities. Planned uses include opening a Boston office and extending its UK facility at Oxford Science Park by November 2017 with cell line engineering, viral vector production and purification suites, high-throughput robotic screening, and process development facilities. The company also intends to invest in R&D to grow its intellectual property portfolio and scale a technology-enabled licensing business. Oxford Genetics focuses on DNA design, with expertise in protein expression optimisation and cell line development. It provides bespoke solutions aimed at research, therapeutic and clinical needs within the pharmaceutical sector. The company's core offerings center on optimising protein expression and developing tailored cell lines for customers. Mercia Technologies has announced a new direct investment of up to £2.0 million in Oxford Genetics Ltd. The announcement was published as a stock exchange announcement and links to the Oxford Genetics website are provided. No operating metrics or additional financial details are disclosed in the article. Oxford Genetics, led by CEO Dr Ryan Cawood, develops SnapFast™, a system that simplifies purchasing synthetic DNA plasmids. The company currently supplies human, mouse and bacterial DNA. Through the new funding it plans to expand offerings to include insect, plant and yeast DNA. It received £150K in funding from Mercia Fund Management. The proceeds will be used to build an e-commerce website and support new product development. The company is based in Oxford, UK.

• Kuur Therapeutics

  Participated · Series C · Mar 2017

  Cell Medica is a cellular therapeutics company engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of cellular immunotherapy products for the treatment of cancer. Its lead oncology product, baltaleucel-T (CMD-003), is an autologous cell therapy in the CITADEL Phase 2 trial for Epstein‑Barr virus‑associated lymphomas and received FDA fast track designation in February 2017. The company develops products across three proprietary platforms: activated cytotoxic T cells, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and engineered T cell receptors (TCRs). Over the last year it expanded its technology base through strategic collaborations and the acquisition of Delenex Therapeutics, adding scFv generation and antibody‑secretion engineering capabilities. A partnership with Baylor College of Medicine focuses on CARs and NKT cell approaches to target solid tumours and explore an allogeneic off‑the‑shelf product, and a collaboration with UCL advances a Dominant TCR technology to improve TCR expression. Cell Medica will use the new funding to progress multiple cell‑based programmes, bring new products into Phase 1 trials and complete the Phase 2 programme for baltaleucel-T. Cell Medica is a London, UK-based cellular immunotherapy company focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing cellular immunotherapy products for cancer and infectious diseases. The company is advancing its lead oncology product, CMD-003, a patient-derived cell therapy being investigated in the CITADEL Phase 2 clinical trial for advanced Epstein–Barr virus–associated lymphomas. CMD-003 is comprised of the patient’s own immune cells and aims to provide a targeted cancer treatment with limited side effects or toxicities. Cell Medica is targeting a range of EBV-associated cancers including lymphoma, leukemia and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Gregg Sando serves as Chief Executive Officer. The company intends to use new funding to further the development of its cellular immunotherapy products. Cell Medica is a London, UK-based clinical-stage cell therapeutics company that develops therapies based on the selection, activation and expansion of immune cells, specifically T-cells. Its Cytovir product family treats life-threatening viral infections in leukemia and lymphoma patients who have undergone bone marrow transplants. The company is targeting a European market launch of Cytovir CMV for cytomegalovirus infections in 2013 following completion of two randomized controlled studies underway in the UK. Led by CEO Gregg Sando and newly appointed Chairman Thomas Hecht, Cell Medica plans to expand its management team in both the US and Europe. The company intends to use new capital to continue development of its immune reconstitution cell therapies in Europe and to launch operations in Texas focused on cancer immunotherapy. Cell Medica is an early-stage cellular therapeutics company focused on developing cell-based treatments for infectious disease and cancer. Its lead work centers on Virus-specific Immune Reconstitution, a cell therapy technique to protect patients with weakened immune systems against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. The therapy is intended particularly for patients after bone marrow transplants. The company is commercialising this technique using proceeds from recent financing. Cell Medica raised £1.95m in the described funding round and has now raised a total of £4.5m in equity and convertible debt investment capital. The round was led by Imperial Innovations Group plc., with participation from private investors.

• Glide Technologies

  Participated · Equity · Feb 2017

  Glide Technologies is an Oxford-based pharmaceutical development and device company focused on needle-free administration of solid-dose therapeutics and vaccines via its proprietary Glide SDI® needle-free injector. Its pipeline includes octreotide, teriparatide, exenatide and anthrax and influenza vaccines. The company is led by Interim CEO James Otter. Glide completed a £3.2m ($4.0m) funding round. It will use the funds to complete Phase I clinical trials of its novel solid-dose teriparatide formulation during 2017. Teriparatide is approved for the treatment of osteoporosis and has global sales of over $1.3 billion.

• Mereo Biopharma

  Participated · Equity · Jul 2015

  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.

No current team members are available.