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LifeArc Ventures, which is committed to investing in innovative early-stage life science companies, today provides an update on its portfolio.
Clare Terlouw, Head of LifeArc Ventures, said: “Our team has had an exceptionally busy and productive year, with two major exits, exciting progress in our portfolio, and new investments expanding our portfolio in HealthTech. We’re looking forward to continuing to identify new opportunities to invest in translational science.
“We pride ourselves on the hands-on support we give our portfolio companies, offering strategic, practical and scientific guidance as well as funding. The exits from DJS Antibodies and Ducentis BioTherapeutics demonstrate the continuing global interest in novel science, and the continued opportunities to invest in great UK based companies. LifeArc Ventures also played a pivotal role in the landmark AstraZeneca COVID-19 antibody licensing deal with RQ Bio, a company we co-founded and funded during the pandemic, offering a powerful combination of financial investment, strategic guidance, lab access and antibody expertise.”
The first MAb discovered by RQ Bio has now entered into clinical trials less than 12 months after discovery, with the start of AstraZeneca’s SUPERNOVA Phase I/III trial of AZD5156 (a combination of AZD3152 and cilgavimab) in pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19. AstraZeneca licenced AZD3152 from RQ Bio in May 2022.
Hugo Fry, CEO, RQ Biotechnology, commented: “LifeArc had the vision to co-found and support RQ Bio from the very beginning and as a direct result new innovative antibodies were discovered to potentially protect vulnerable patients from Covid. In addition, a company was also born that will develop medicines to provide instant and long-lasting protection for vulnerable people at risk of severe disease or death from a multitude of viral infections. Both as major shareholder and a scientific partner, LifeArc continues to support and collaborate with RQ Bio so that the public health, medical and patient impact of our innovation can be maximised.”
With 14 companies in our fast-growing portfolio, our goal is to add at least three new investments every year. The recent addition of Surgery Hero led our expansion into HealthTech – we’re inspired by their vision of significantly improving clinical outcomes and experience for patients undergoing surgery, at the same time as reducing the burden on overwhelmed health systems.
Dr Robbie Huddleston, CMO & Co-Founder, Surgery Hero, added: “We’re truly grateful to LifeArc for the belief they’ve shown in us as investors and the support they’ve been able to offer to date. The team come with a wealth of experience in the healthcare space and have been a valuable source of counsel as we shape and define company strategy at this important stage of our growth.”
To top a successful year, we are proud that RQ Bio’s agreement with AstraZeneca was named Most Impactful UK Deal at the OBN Awards, and LifeArc was named Most Impactful Business Support Organisation. We believe the award for LifeArc recognises the unique combination of skills and expertise that LifeArc and LifeArc Ventures provide to support and promote life changing science.
LifeArc Ventures is launching a new look and feel. You can now follow us on our dedicated LinkedIn page and Twitter, and on our upcoming new LifeArc Ventures website. We are also planning to host regular podcasts featuring interviews with our portfolio companies, industry leaders, scientists, and investors.
We are working on a number of other exciting investments which you will hear more about in the coming year. We’re focused on being collaborative investors and partners, with the ability to both lead and co-invest in early-stage life science companies. We’re always looking for inspirational, science-led companies and exceptional teams that can benefit from our translational advice, scientific expertise and funding. We’re open to new opportunities and welcome introductions, so please get in touch if you think we can help.
About LifeArc
LifeArc is a self-funded medical research charity with more than 25 years of translating early science into health care treatment including a diagnostic for antibiotic resistance and four licensed medicines. Our model is built on collaboration, and through our LifeArc Ventures team, we invest in Seed and Series A stage companies with significant follow-on investment reserved for successful portfolio companies. Our ventures approach focuses on investing in novel translational science and technology with a dual goal of generating financial returns to the charity and positive impact for patients.
Find out more on www.lifearc.org
