QUEST FOR GROWTH

Communiqué de presse
QUEST FOR GROWTH
Pricaf, société d'investissement à capital fixe de droit belge
Quest for Growth investit 1.500.000 GBP dans Syntaxin Ltd,
une société britannique de développement pharmaceutique
Infos supplémentaires:
QUEST MANAGEMENT SA
M. René Avonts, Managing Director
Tél: +32 (0)16 28 41 28
Fax: +32 (0)16 28 41 29
QUEST MANAGEMENT SA
M. William Brooks, Senior Investment Manager – Life Sciences
Tél: +32 (0)16 28 41 28
Fax: +32 (0)16 28 41 29
En octobre 2007, QUEST FOR GROWTH a participé à hauteur de 1,5 million GBP à un financement de
16 millions GBP dans Syntaxin, une société britannique de développement pharmaceutique.
Quest for Growth rejoint ainsi les investisseurs d’origine Abingworth et Life Science Partners, SR-One (GSK) et
Johnson & Johnson Development Company.
A propos de Syntaxin Ltd
www.Syntaxin.com
Syntaxin Ltd est une nouvelle société biopharmaceutique qui se concentre sur la découverte et le
développement de nouveaux médicaments dérivés de toxines bactériennes en vue du traitement de maladies
chroniques. Il s’agit d’une émanation de la Health Protection Agency britannique fondée en 2005 avec des
fonds d’Abingworth Management Ltd.
Le pipeline de produits de la société est basé sur l’exploitation des propriétés pharmacologiques actives de
certaines protéines microbiennes, notamment les exotoxines. Parmi celles-ci, les plus connues sont les toxines
botulinum, qui provoquent un blocage prolongé de la neurotransmission par les nerfs cholinergiques. En
modifiant le ciblage spécifique des cellules de ces molécules, Syntaxin développera des médicaments à action
prolongée pour bloquer la sécrétion cellulaire dans une série de types de cellules afin de traiter les douleurs
chroniques et les maladies respiratoires et métaboliques.
La science qui soutient le pipeline de Syntaxin est basée sur plusieurs décennies de recherche à la Health
Protection Agency, à Porton Down. Cette recherche, ainsi que l’équipe de chercheurs actuelle et un
portefeuille de propriété intellectuelle établi, ont été transférés par la HPA à Syntaxin lors de sa fondation.
Communiqué de presse
À propos de QUEST FOR GROWTH
www.questforgrowth.com
La Pricaf “QUEST FOR GROWTH” est une société d'investissement paneuropéenne investie dans des
entreprises de croissance technologiques européennes actives dans de nombreux secteurs industriels, tels
que la biotechnologie, la médecine et les soins de santé, les semi-conducteurs, les télécommunications,
les logiciels, l'électronique, les technologies de l'information et les nouveaux matériaux. QUEST FOR
GROWTH investit aussi bien dans des sociétés cotées que dans des valeurs non cotées.
Première Pricaf belge, QUEST FOR GROWTH est une société d'investissement négociée au marché continu
d'Euronext Bruxelles.
Le gouvernement belge a créé le cadre légal et fiscal nécessaire en vue de faire de la Pricaf un véhicule
d'investissement transparent sur le plan fiscal et à la mesure des besoins en fonds privés.
La gestion de la Pricaf “QUEST FOR GROWTH” est assurée par Quest Management SA.
Ce communiqué n'est pas une offre de vente ni un appel d'offre d'achat de titres des sociétés citées, et dans lesquelles QUEST FOR
GROWTH a investi. Il n'est fait qu'à titre purement informatif.
Les titres des sociétés évoquées dans ce document n'ont pas été inscrits en vertu de la United States Securities Act de 1933, et ne
peuvent être offerts ni vendus aux États-Unis, à moins d'avoir obtenu l'inscription ou l'exemption requise à l'égard des exigences
d'inscription.
Le présent communiqué de presse peut faire état de perspectives impliquant une part de risque et d'incertitude. Bien que QUEST
FOR GROWTH estime que les expectations contenues dans de tels communiqués sont basées sur des présomptions raisonnables,
aucune garantie ne peut être donnée que de telles projections vont effectivement se réaliser. Toutes ces prévisions doivent être
considérées tout en sachant que les événements et résultats réels peuvent différer de ces prédictions eu égard à des éléments tels
que des modifications politiques, économiques ou juridiques sur les marchés où sont actives les sociétés dans lesquelles QUEST FOR
GROWTH investit ou sur les Bourses où sont cotées ces sociétés. Les lecteurs se référeront au prospectus émis lors de l'introduction
en Bourse de QUEST FOR GROWTH et qui identifie les facteurs de risque importants propres à la société.
QUEST FOR GROWTH SA
Pricaf, société d'investissement à capital fixe de droit belge
Lei 19, bte 3 B-3000 Louvain - Tél: +32 (0)16 28 41 28 Fax: +32 (0)16 28 41 29
www.questforgrowth.com
[email protected]
SYNTAXIN RAISES £16M TO ADVANCE DEVELOPMENT OF
NOVEL DRUG PIPELINE
Oxford, UK, 31 October 2007: Syntaxin Ltd (“Syntaxin” or “the Company”), a biopharmaceutical
company developing novel biologic drugs that control cell secretion, today announces that it has
raised £16 million in a Series B fundraising. The round was co-led by new investors SR One, the
venture capital arm of GSK, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and
healthcare companies, and LSP (Life Science Partners) with additional funds from Syntaxin’s
existing shareholders, Abingworth. New investors Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation
(JJDC) and Quest for Growth also participated in the financing.
Syntaxin’s novel biologic drugs will address unmet clinical needs in the treatment of pain, nervous,
respiratory and metabolic disorders. The Company’s technology generates novel proteins that
target selected cells, resulting in potent and sustained control of aberrant secretion of hormones or
signalling molecules that contribute to disease. The funds raised will be used to advance the
development of Syntaxin’s biologics pipeline towards clinical proof of mechanism and reinforce its
dominant technology position.
Deborah Harland, General Partner at SR One, said: “Syntaxin’s discovery platform provides a
unique approach to the development of a new class of biopharmaceutical products with potential
application across a broad range of indications. We are impressed by the progress made to date
and look forward to working with Syntaxin’s experienced and talented management team and our
fellow investors to build a business of significant value.”
René Kuijten, General Partner at LSP, commented: “We are very excited to become a shareholder
of Syntaxin especially because of the combination of a novel and commercially validated
technology platform with an in-house pipeline of promising products.”
Patrick Doyle, Chief Executive of Syntaxin, said: "To have secured a significant round of financing
from a well respected group of life science investors is a real vote of confidence in our technology
and programmes. We are now in an ideal position to advance our product candidates to the clinic
and broaden the potential of our technology.”
As a result of the investment Syntaxin’s Board of Directors is now made up of: Andrew Sandham
(Chairman), James Abell (Abingworth), Deborah Harland (SR One), Rene Kuijten (LSP), Zeev
Zehavi (JJDC) and Patrick Doyle (Syntaxin).
Syntaxin recently moved to its laboratories at The Quadrant, Abingdon,near Oxford, having been
founded at the Health Protection Agency at Porton Down. The HPA remain shareholders.
--ends--
Enquiries:
Syntaxin Ltd
Patrick Doyle, Chief Executive
Tel: +44 (0)1235 552112
Financial Dynamics
Julia Phillips
Emma Thompson
Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
About Syntaxin (www.syntaxin.com)
Syntaxin Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery and development of new
medicines derived from bacterial toxins to treat chronic diseases. The Company was created in
2005 as a spin out from the UK Health Protection Agency, with funding from Abingworth
Management Ltd.
The Company’s product pipeline is based on exploiting the potent pharmacological properties of a
family of microbial proteins, known as exotoxins. The best known are the botulinum toxins, which
cause a prolonged block to neurotransmission by cholinergic nerves. By changing the cell-targeting
specificity of these molecules, Syntaxin is developing novel biologics that selectively control
aberrant secretion from specific cell types involved in pain, neuromuscular, respiratory and
metabolic diseases. These engineered proteins are typically potent and long acting, which are
necessary properties for the treatment of chronic disease.
Syntaxin’s core technology is based on decades of research at the Health Protection Agency,
Porton Down which has provided the company with a dominant intellectual property portfolio.
About SR One (www.srone.com)
SR One Limited is GlaxoSmithKline'
s independent corporate healthcare venture fund. The Fund'
s
mission is to invest globally in emerging biotech companies that are focused on drug discovery,
drug development or delivery and have the potential to make products that will offer a dramatic
benefit to patients. SR One is committed to making investments that can provide attractive returns
and significant strategic value.
Since its founding in 1985, SR One has invested over USD 500 million in more than 120
companies located in the USA and Europe. Today, there are about 30 private and public
companies in the SR One portfolio. The SR One team includes eight investment professionals
based in the USA and Europe and has experience that spans venture capital investing, business
development, Wall Street, pharmaceutical R & D, medical practice and business start-ups. For
more information, please visit www.srone.com
About Abingworth (www.abingworth.co.uk)
Abingworth is an international life sciences investment firm active on both sides of the Atlantic with
offices in London, Cambridge (UK), Menlo Park (California) and Boston. Founded in 1973, the
company invests across all stages of development, including early-stage as well as public
companies. Abingworth has funds under management of over $1.25 billion. For more information,
please visit www.abingworth.com
About LSP (www.lspvc.com)
LSP (Life Sciences Partners) is a leading independent European venture capital firm, providing
private equity financing to early- to mid-stage life-science companies. Since the late 1980s, LSP’s
management has invested in a large number of highly innovative enterprises, many of which have
grown to become leaders of the global life-science industry. For example, LSP was a founding
investor in Crucell, DNage, Qiagen, Rhein Biotech and Pharming. With EUR 400 million under
management and offices in Amsterdam, Munich and Boston, LSP is one of Europe’s largest and
most experienced specialist life-science investors.
About Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (wwww.jjdevcorp.com)
Organized in 1973, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) is the venture capital
subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. JJDC makes private equity investments in venture funded health
care companies. Portfolio companies include those in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology,
medical devices, diagnostics and consumer products. JJDC also leads and manages internal
investments in selected promising technologies.
For more information, please visit www.jjdevcorp.com
About Quest for Growth (www.questforgrowth.com)
Quest for Growth is a Pan-European investment company that invests in European technologybased growth companies in a broad range of industrial sectors such as information technology,
semiconductors, telecommunications, software, electronics, biotechnology, medical devices,
health-care and new materials. Quest for Growth invests in quoted and unquoted companies.