Jim Van heusden, CEO of Karolinska Development, says: “I am very pleased to announce that we have concluded the divestment of Athera Biotechnologies to an investment consortium that will fund the further development of the company’s lead product, PC-mAb. This deal also allows us to benefit from Athera’s future success via an earn-out agreement with potential significant future value.”
As part of the agreement, Karolinska Development and KCIF Co-Investment Fund KB, a holding company jointly owned by the European Investment Fund and Karolinska Development, will transfer their entire shareholdings in Athera Biotechnologies to the consortium led by Östersjöstiftelsen and Industrifonden in an earn-out agreement. The divestment has no impact on the latest reported fair value and no further financial details on this transaction will be disclosed.
Concurrently with the agreement, the consortium is investing SEK 24 million into Athera to fund further clinical development of Athera’s lead project PC-mAb, currently in clinical Phase I studies, to become a Phase II-ready project. PC-mAb provides an opportunity to address the need for improved secondary prevention after revascularization in severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients and reduce the associated risks for complications and new cardiovascular disease events.
For further information, please contact:
Jim Van heusden, CEO, Karolinska Development AB
Phone: +46 72 858 32 09, e-mail: jim.van.heusden@karolinskadevelopment.com
David Dible/Mark Swallow/Pip Batty, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Phone: +44 20 7638 9571; e-mail: KDev@citigatedr.co.uk
TO THE EDITORS
About Karolinska Development AB
Karolinska Development AB is an investment company focused on identifying medical innovation and investing in the creation and growth of companies developing these assets into differentiated products that will make a difference to patients’ lives and provide an attractive return on investment.
Karolinska Development has access to world-class medical innovations at the Karolinska Institutet and other leading universities and research institutes in the Nordic region. The Company aims to build companies around scientists who are leaders in their fields, supported by experienced management teams and advisers, and co-funded by specialist international investors, to provide the greatest chance of success.
Karolinska Development has established a portfolio of 12 companies targeting opportunities in innovative treatment for life-threatening or serious debilitating diseases.
The Company is led by a team including investment professionals with strong venture capital backgrounds, experienced company builders and entrepreneurs, with access to a strong global network.
For more information, please visit www.karolinskadevelopment.com
