The portfolio comprises of 17 privately held stakes in a range of US and UK high growth technology and biotechnology companies, operating in various sectors including healthcare, biotechnology, and digital media. Financed via Hambro Perks Special Opportunities Fund, the transaction is due to close later in 2021, subject to regulatory and customary approvals. Further financial details were not disclosed.
This transaction represents a further strengthening of Hambro Perks asset management platform, which seeks to invest in portfolios of high-growth technology businesses, that can be transformed by the industry expertise and investment knowledge of the Hambro Perks team, to create value and enhance returns for investors. In addition to Hambro Perks Special Opportunities Fund, the platform also includes Hambro Perks Environmental Technologies I, a fund focussed on investing in emerging environmental technologies.
Dominic Perks, Co-Founder and CEO of Hambro Perks, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this varied and exciting portfolio. These high-growth businesses have demonstrated huge potential, and are operating in sectors working to solve some of the most pressing issues facing businesses and individuals. Our strong track record as an active investor in fast-developing companies means we are perfectly placed to help with the ambitious expansion plans of the management teams, and to realise value for our investors.”
The acquired portfolio includes stakes in:
Gelesis – Gelesis is a biotechnology company developing a novel category of therapies for GI-related chronic diseases. The Gelesis portfolio includes a product for obesity, and a pipeline with potential therapies for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Vedanta – Vedanta Bioscience is developing a new category of therapies for immune-mediated diseases based on a rationally-defined consortia of human microbiome-derived bacteria. It has four clinical-stage programs in development for solid tumors, high-risk CDI, food allergy, and IBD, and one preclinical discovery program for the prevention of infection and recurrence of several multi-drug resistant organisms.
Nexeon – Nexeon is a British business developing silicon anode battery technology to reduce carbon anode energy inefficiency. Nexeon’s technology makes a big difference to the real world performance of battery operated equipment, improving productivity and quality of life.
Fist Light Fusion – First Light researches and develops safe and efficient energy generation by inertial confinement fusion. The company was spun out from the University of Oxford in June 2011, and continues to work closely with the academic community, both in the UK and internationally.