An early-stage investment fund has received an additional £2m from investors to take larger stakes in life science startups.
It brings Discovery Park Ventures’ total fund size to £3m. Investors in the fund and the startups it backs are primarily based at Discovery Park, a facility based in Kent that provides workspaces, labs and business support.
The fund has invested £1m since its launch in May 2022. Its existing investments include Optceutics, Vitarka Therapeutics, VisusNano, Booby Biome, Neobe Therapeutics, Ignota Labs and Oxford Medical Products.
The investment fund intends to announce two further investments shortly.
Mayer Schreiber, chair of Discovery Park Ventures and CEO of Discovery Park, said: “Our portfolio of investments is making strong progress, and we are delighted by the support our investors have shown us with this second tranche of funding.
“It is the first step in Discovery Park Ventures’ planned expansion, and we look forward to working with regional investment groups and other funds as we grow.”
The Sandwich site was first acquired by Pfizer in 1954 before selling it in 2012. Today it employs over 3,500 people.
Discovery Park Ventures aims to expand its fund size to £25m in the next three years and is looking to work with regional investors.