BioTrinity 2014 Reveals UK Life Sciences $1bn Record-breaking Fundraising Year

LONDON, May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

OBN today reveals industry statistics showing that 2013 was a record breaking fundraising year for UK life sciences, the best since 2007. As BioTrinity 2014, Europe's Leading Biopartnering and Investment Conference, opens its doors to a record-breaking 1,000 delegates, Jon Rees, OBN CEO and BioTrinity founder summarises data to be revealed in his opening speech.

"Securing sufficient funding has historically been one of the many challenges threatening the success of entrepreneurial life sciences companies, particularly in the UK. However, we are encouraged by 2013 figures which suggest this pattern may have shifted in the last year. We estimate UK companies raised over $1bn from venture capital and the public markets in 2013. Public market financing so far this year suggests we could be in for a banner 2014."

Jon Rees continues, "BioTrinity attracts internationally-respected experts to discuss some of the many gating issues including: access to start-up finance; mechanisms for funding the 'killer experiment' - confirming the scientific basis for a promising product candidate - and the all-important exit strategy for the sector's investors. BioTrinity 2014 takes place in a transformed environment for entrepreneurs. The flagship achievement is no longer limited to a big pharma trade sale but can now include an IPO or auction within the midcap and big biotech universe. Prolific dealmakers and smart investors are set to discuss the trends and impact of this positive reversal of fortune, and to predict the changing landscape over the coming period."

Patrick Verheyen, Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, London, and a keynote speaker at BioTrinity, comments, "We established Johnson & Johnson Innovation in London to advance transformative healthcare solutions by catalyzing new science and technology through collaboration and exchange of ideas. BioTrinity springs from a similar viewpoint and as hundreds of life science innovators come together this week, we expect these interactions to create meaningful collaborations."

David Colpman, Head of Business Development at Shire Pharmaceuticals and another BioTrinity keynote speaker comments, "In spite of the UK's pre-emptive position in science and innovation, more needs to be done to ensure the domestic market reaps the rewards, economically and, more importantly, for the health of the nation. BioTrinity is a UK success story. In eight years, it's grown from a simple showcase for emerging companies to be a magnet for international life science companies and transatlantic investors. Partnerships forged here will drive UK industry growth."

About OBN 

OBN is the membership organisation supporting and bringing together the UK's emerging life sciences companies, corporate partners and investors. Our Membership of over 300 companies, spread across the Golden Triangle (formed by the cities of Oxford, Cambridge and London) and beyond to Nottingham, Manchester and Scotland, benefits from tailored networking and partnering events, group purchasing, advice, consultancy and advocacy.  

OBN founded and produces BioTrinity, Europe's largest annual Biopartnering and Investment Conference for emerging companies. Attracting around 1,000 senior delegates from Europe, Asia and North America, BioTrinity generates more R&D-company-to-investor interactions than any similar European event.  

For further information on OBN and its activities, visit: http://www.obn.org.uk. To find out more about BioTrinity, visit http://www.biotrinity.com.

Contacts
OBN
Jon Rees, CEO
Tel: 0845-5049-722 or +44(0)7795-233883
Email: jon.rees@obn.org.uk

For media interview requests contact:
Val Tate, Director of Communications
Tel: +44(0)7770-766546
Email: val.tate@obn.org.uk

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Sita Shah/Janine Hagan
Tel: +44(0)207-638-9571
Email: Sita.Shah@citigatedr.co.uk / Janine.Hagan@citigatedr.co.uk