We write this note with a glimmer of hope that talks behind the scenes between Ukraine and Russia seem to be progressing. Markets have reacted positively to these talks whilst the bombing continues. In a post pandemic era, investors are now well versed in the impact that biotechnology can have all over the world with real products that can generate value for investors and patients. The pandemic did teach us how to bring new drugs to patients faster, lessons that the industry will no doubt pick-up and implement.

We at o2h Ventures have stayed focused on building and supporting our portfolio of biotech therapeutics. We have now invested in 25 companies over the last three years from the fund with an increase in asset value across the board of ~150% excluding any tax relief and fees. We expect clinical data read out from Exonate and Small Pharma in the next few months and others will follow as the portfolio matures.

We are pleased to announce that we are likely to deploy more than 90% of the KI EIS Funds raised last year in the next <1 month. The next close of our ‘HMRC approved’ Knowledge Intensive Human Health EIS Fund is on the 5th April 2022. We will need to have cleared funds in our bank account by this date as we report this to HMRC.

The subscriptions that we receive by 5th April 2022 can be used to back claim tax benefits to the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 tax years even though the funds will be deployed in the following years, due to our special HMRC approved KI status. To top-up or invest, please visit www.o2hventures.com or drop us an email at invest@o2h.com for one of the team to guide you through the process.

Looking forward to the new deals in pipeline

We are pleased to reach out and share some of the deals in our pipeline that are either under execution or being reviewed by the investment team.

Deals Under Execution 

• Spirea (Biotech- ADC)

Spirea, a biotech company spun out from the University of Cambridge, is committed to delivering the next generation of antibody drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics to revolutionize cancer treatment and improve the lives of patients.

• Neurocentrx (Biotech- Neuro)

Neurocentrx Pharma, a Scotland UK based company, has developed oral ketamine formulations, Keticap™ IR (immediate release) and Keticap™ AD (abuse-deterrent) intended to treat mood disorders like Depression, more effectively.

A selection of the deals under due diligence or late stage investing

• Alevin (Biotech- Oncology)

A spin-out from the University of Nottingham to spinout a pipeline of novel integrin inhibitors for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. An o2h Ventures led investment with earlier rounds to be exclusive to o2h Ventures and Nottingham University. Commercial interest from a mid-size pharma.  o2h Ventures have worked with the tech transfer office to place management and work on the business plan.

• AlternOx (Biotech- Anti Fungal)

A spin-out of the University of Sussex focused on the exploitation of novel and proprietary inhibitors of the enzyme alternative oxidase (AOX) to treat a wide range of multi-drug and multi compound resistant species of fungi that now threaten human health and food security worldwide.  We are working to build an appropriate syndicate for this investment.

Stingray Bio (Biotech- Oncology)

Stingray Bio is a spin out from the University of Sussex, building on innovative science to generate novel therapies to help improve the quality of life for estrogen sensitive breast cancer patients and potentially other cancer indications.

• Exonate (Biotech- Ocular)

Exonate is a spinout from the University of Nottingham that aims to introduce a revolutionary, game-changing eye drop for the treatment of retinal vascular diseases, including wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD) and Diabetic Macular Oedema (DME), by using mRNA targeted therapies. The company has a commercial collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals (J&J).

• Neurofenix (Biotech- Neuro)

  The Neurofenix NeuroBall can be used with little or no supervision, making it ideal for both survivors as well as therapists who want to maximize their patient’s potential in between sessions. The company has now launched in the USA and has positive commercial traction.

• Monument Therapeutics (Biotech- Neuro)

Monument Therapeutics is a specialist neuroscience company pairing digital biomarkers with existing small molecules to provide novel approaches to CNS drug development. Further funds required to embark on clinical trials.

• Opal Therapeutics (Biotech- Neuro)

The company is developing two programmes in the area of neuro-psychiatric space / psychedelic space.

• CardiaTec (Biotech- Cardio)

An AI drug discovery company specialized in cardiovascular disease (CVD), first focusing on coronary artery disease (CAD). The company is leveraging AI to structure and integrate multi-omic datasets to create the most holistic and representative overview of the disease’s metabolic pathways for novel drug target identification and drug repurposing.

• Newco (Enabler- Platform)

Early discussions regarding a formulation platform Start-Up opportunity from Cardiff University.

• Five Alarm Bio (Biotech – Anti-aging)

Five Alarm Bio is developing a small molecule approach to boost the body’s defense to aging, based on a new understanding of how the chemical damage associated with age accumulates in cells. In addition to a broad range of age-related diseases, Five Alarm Bio sees relevance of its platform for cosmeceuticals.