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Opportunities & threats in biotech

The biotech sector has been going through some heavy turmoil since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic. Nonetheless, with the sector being back on track but still being seriously undervalued compared to other sectors, it is a promising sector for investors again. Read why!

First ‘gene-editing’ therapy approved in US and UK

Today, the FDA approved the world’s first ‘gene-editing’ therapy, Casgevy. This treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) is based on the 2020 Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR/Cas9 technology and is developed by Aescap portfolio companies Crispr and Vertex

Ionis – positive phase 3 study Olezarsen

Aescap portfolio company Ionis announced today that its medicine candidate Olezarsen has shown a statistically significant reduction in triglyceride levels in a phase 3 clinical study.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals up 39% on good news for Danon patients

Aescap portfolio company Rocket Pharmaceuticals yesterday went up 39% after it came to an agreement with the FDA that it only needs to enroll 12 patients in a pivotal clinical trial with their gene therapy for a fatal heart disease.

Biotech, to time with a good feeling

Promising undervalued biotech companies offer an excellent opportunity for significant future returns. Waiting until the sector is back in the spotlight often results in a missed opportunity. As share prices will have risen by then.

UCB: An interesting biopharmaceutical growth story

UCB is a biopharma company with over 8 600 employees, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium The company develops and manufactures multiple medicines, sold in 40 countries. In this company showcase we describe why we think UCB is an interesting biopharmaceutical growth story, even after 95 years of existence.

Biotech Enters New Phase

Biotech companies are rapidly developing new technologies to treat previously incurable diseases.

Portfolio News – Acquisition of Portfolio Company Dicerna – Nov 18, 2021

Portfolio company Dicerna Pharmaceuticals announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with pharma company Novo Nordisk under which Novo Nordisk will acquire Dicerna for $ 38,25 per share and a total equity value of $ 3,3 billion, representing an 80% premium compared to Dicerna’s share price at closing on Nov 17, 2021.

Facts & Figures – From History to Future in Cancer Treatment

At the beginning of the 20th century, the only two options doctors had available to treat cancer were surgery and/or radiation therapy. At that time, cancers that couldn’t be removed or irradiated, because of their position or because they involved blood cells, were deemed untreatable.

Sustainability at Aescap

Since its inception, Aescap has taken environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into consideration by analyzing sustainability impact of its portfolio companies and potential new investments. By continuously doing so, Aescap aims to encourage companies in our sector to act with the well-being of people and our planet in mind. The fund focuses its investments

Aescap Life Sciences Quarterly Update Q2 2021

The fund finished the second quarter with a strong performance in June of +7,1%. Several portfolio companies presented positive news, as is further detailed in the company highlights section below.

Facts & Figures – RNA Therapeutics

Innovation in the medical field has strongly accelerated in the last century and we see it continuing at an even higher pace going forward. In this technology showcase we will highlight one of the most advanced of such technologies, RNA therapeutics. We will describe the rationale behind this technology, as well as its strength and

Aescap Life Sciences Quarterly Update Q1 2021

Our portfolio companies delivered a series of value creating events, such as improved financials, approval of new products, profitable licensing deals and superior clinical study data. Despite these positive developments during Q1, our NAV ended the quarter at -3% due to stock markets being unfavorable for the biotech sector as a whole.

Aescap 2.0 becomes Aescap Life Sciences

After operating under the name Aescap 2.0 for almost 5 years, we feel our new name better represents our investment focus and the impact our companies have on the life of patients in need.

Aescap 2.0 Quarterly Update Q4 2020

Also for Aescap 2.0, 2020 was a roller coaster year. The fund was at an all-time high mid-February with a net performance of +5% for the year, after which it went down to -31% in mid-March, to then end the year at -3%.

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