Henley-in-Arden, 9 May 2013 – Venture capital fund manager Mercia Fund Management (MFM) has participated in an equity raise of more than £900,000 for Ventive Ltd. MFM joined an angel funding round which was also supported by the Angel Co-fund.

Ventive, recently named as a regional winner in the prestigious Shell Springboard 2013 competition, develops products to reduce heating bills for residents, and improves internal air quality leading to health benefits. Building maintenance costs are also reduced for homeowners due to lower humidity.

The product operates on the simple principles of air buoyancy and also harnesses the wind. Warm stale air rises and pre-heats incoming sinking fresh air through a Ventive device.

The funding will accelerate the commercial roll out of Ventive’s first patented ventilation products and continue to develop its award winning R&D programme for further market expansion.

Andrew Oldfield, Head of Cleantech at Mercia Fund Management said “We have worked with the Ventive founders to help them create a focussed and scalable operation and thus exploit a truly innovative technology. This funding round is an important milestone in the company’s development and a strong validation of Ventive’s technology and management.

Robert Morrison, Managing Director at Ventive said “We are seeing overwhelming interest for our products from our initial target market of social housing. Our product reduces maintenance costs for the landlord and utility costs for the tenant. Ventive products have no moving parts, require no power or maintenance, and are easily installed in both retrofit and new builds. We are delighted with the support our investors have given at many levels.”

Mark Payton, Managing Director of Mercia Fund Management said “Ventive is the last investment from our inaugural Mercia Growth Fund 1, and an excellent example of scalable business offering rapid revenue growth against modest capital needs.”

Mercia Fund Management has raised a follow on Mercia Growth Fund 2 to continue its support for innovative growth businesses across selected fields of Medtech Cleantech, and IT.

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About Mercia Fund Management

Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over £17 million under active management.

MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses ranging from early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. Furthermore, MFM can also provide cost-effective incubator accommodation at Forward House in Henley-in-Arden coupled with centralised support services in keeping with its model as a hands-on, supportive investor.

MFM is an FCA authorised and regulated fund manager under FSMA (FRN: 524856).

www.merciafund.co.uk

About the Angel CoFund

The Angel CoFund, created with funding from the Regional Growth Fund and the Business Bank, invests alongside syndicates of business angels in order to support high potential SMEs.

The fund is able to make initial equity investments of between £100,000 and £1 million in to companies alongside business angels subject to an upper limit of 49 per cent of any investment round.  The angels must be independent of the investee company, be able to demonstrate appropriate due diligence has been carried out and be making commercial investments. Final investment decisions are made by the independent investment committee of the fund based on the detailed proposals put forward by business angel syndicates.

www.angelcofund.co.uk

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Dr. Wilkinson Blanc brings more than 20 years of oncology clinical research and medical affairs experience in the pharmaceutical industry collaborating on prominent clinical development programs, including: docetaxel and irinotecan at Aventis/Rhone-Poulenc Rorer; bevacizumab at Roche; and ridaforolimus at Ariad Pharmaceuticals. She also contributed significantly to the implementation of oncology research programs in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia while at Aventis International. Dr. Wilkinson Blanc previously served as Medical Director at GE Healthcare, where she supported the development and marketing strategy of diagnostic and functional imaging agents. Prior to joining PsiOxus Therapeutics, Dr. Wilkinson Blanc owned her own company, consulting to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry on a range of oncology programs.

“We are delighted that Dr. Wilkinson Blanc has joined our growing team at this critical juncture and will apply her extensive expertise in the field of oncology drug development to our exciting pipeline of therapeutics,” said Dr. John Beadle, CEO of PsiOxus Therapeutics. “As CMO, she will be crucial to rapidly expanding our clinical program for the oncolytic vaccine ColoAd1 in colorectal and ovarian cancer, as well as to the completion of our MT102 cachexia phase II programme.”

About PsiOxus Therapeutics, Ltd.

PsiOxus Therapeutics is an Oxford, UK-based development stage biotechnology company using non-traditional approaches to develop novel therapeutics that address cancer and other clinically unmet diseases. ColoAd1 is an oncolytic vaccine for the systemic treatment of metastatic cancer, which has demonstrated exceptional anti-cancer properties in late pre-clinical development and is now in phase I clinical development. MT-102 is a dual action Anabolic Catabolic Transforming Agent (ACTA) in phase II clinical development for the treatment of cachexia and sarcopenia. The Company is also developing treatments based upon the research phase vaccine platform PolySTAR, which combines recombinant viral vectors with polymers to shield them from the immune system, and the research phase adjuvant and immunotherapeutic platform PolyMAP, which combines polymers with synthetic adjuvants to significantly enhance the effectiveness of vaccines.Dr. John Beadle is CEO of PsiOxus. Dr. Beadle was previously a co-founder of PowderMed, which was sold to Pfizer, Inc. for more than $300 million in 2006. Dr. Michael Moore, the former CEO of Piramed, which was acquired by Roche in 2008, serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.PsiOxus is advised by a distinguished Scientific Advisory Board that includes Prof Stefan Anker (Professor of Cardiology and Cachexia Research at Charité Medical School, Berlin and President of the Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Diseases), Prof Andrew Coats (Norwich Research Park Professor-at-Large, University of East Anglia), Prof Len Seymour (Chair of Gene Medicine at Oxford University and Secretary General of the European Society for Gene and Stem Cell Therapy), and Dr. Kerry Fisher (an internationally-recognized specialist in molecular medicine, also of Oxford University).

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Henley-in-Arden, 15 April 2013 – Venture capital fund managers Mercia Fund Management (MFM) and Catapult Venture Managers have announced the appointment of Carlton Jones as CEO of nanoTherics, effective immediately.

Formerly Global Head of Sales at ThalesNano, Carlton brings over 27 years’ experience in the life sciences sector to his new role, and has been responsible for the implementation of highly successful global sales, distribution and market penetration strategies.

Prior to his time at ThalesNano, Carlton was Sales Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Thermo Biosciences, where he managed both direct and distribution channels. He holds a BSc in Genetics and Microbiology from the University of London and his career achievements include: increasing profitability at Thermo Biosciences; delivering five new products to market for Tepnel Life Sciences Plc between 2003 and 2005, and setting up Parallabs’ European distribution network.

nanoTherics, which is based in Stoke-on-Trent, is emerging as  one of the key suppliers in the life science research and development market. It develops and commercialises innovative technologies and products designed to offer faster, more efficient ways to improve research into genetic disease disorders.

In his role as CEO, Carlton will lead a board which combines world-leading scientific acumen with proven entrepreneurial and industrial expertise.

Dr Mark Payton, Managing Director of Mercia Fund Management, said: “Carlton Jones will bring energy, experience and a brand new perspective to nanoTherics. He joins at a very exciting time and his deep understanding of the life sciences sector will only serve to enhance nanoTherics’ fast-growing reputation as a global leader in magnetic nano-particle based products. Under his leadership, we anticipate nanoTherics’ successful growth and 2013 being an extremely exciting year for the entire team.”

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About Mercia Fund Management

Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over £17 million under active management.

MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses ranging from early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. Furthermore, MFM can also provide cost-effective incubator accommodation at Forward House in Henley-in-Arden coupled with centralised support services in keeping with its model as a hands-on, supportive investor.

MFM is an FSA authorised and regulated fund manager under FSMA (FRN: 524856).

www.merciafund.co.uk

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Alice Harrison co-founder of MabLyte

Henley-in-Arden, 09 April 2013. Venture capital fund manager Mercia Fund Management (MFM) has announced its first SEIS Fund investments as part of its Mercia Growth Fund 1.

With six further SEIS investments rapidly progressing towards investment completion, MFM is pleased to announce its first two early-stage investments into MabLyte Ltd and Watertronix Ltd. Both companies have secured the maximum SEIS investment of £150,000 each.

Watertronix Ltd has developed a new method for treating swimming pool water which eliminates chlorine and its disadvantages – including odours and stinging eyes – while keeping swimming pool water clean and safe. Pool owners enjoy substantial energy, water and cost savings since the water is cleaner the pool filters do not need to be cleaned as frequently and the air conditioning load is reduced since chlorine odours are eliminated.

The company has installed the first new system in an international hotel chain pool in the UK with impressive results and will continue its roll out across public pools in the UK and the rest of Europe.

MabLyte is a life science, diagnostics company that will produce a unique range of kits for the analysis of the biological activity of monoclonal antibodies (widely used for the treatment of disease in man) and related drugs. The company was founded by the successful serial entrepreneur Geoff Hale (founder and ex CEO of BioAnalab – sold to Millipore) and Alice Harrison (senior scientist from BioAnalab) after they spotted a new and underserved opportunity. The investment was needed to complete the development of their first kit.

Mercia Growth Fund 1, the first hybrid fund offering EIS and SEIS opportunities, raised approximately £2 million.  Collectively with Mercia Growth Funds 1 and 2 (hybrid EIS and SEIS funds), MFM oversees arguably the largest SEIS discretionary funds in the UK.

Dr Mark Payton, Managing Director of Mercia Fund Management commented: “We have a strong track record in identifying and nurturing early-stage companies through rapid growth to profitability and we are delighted to reveal our first SEIS investments. Our partnership with Forward Group and growing funds under management mean that we are actively looking to work with more SEIS companies, especially as banks fail to lend money to fund new businesses.”

On 16 April 2013, Mercia Growth Fund will hold its first Open House event for potential SEIS and EIS investees, for which informal meetings with the company’s funding team can be pre-booked. The firm’s intermediary partners, Mills & Reeve, James Cowpers and Complete Resourcing, will also attend the event and offer advice for interested companies.

The Open House will take place at Forward House, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire.

To register please visit: http://merciafundmanagementopenhouse.eventbrite.co.uk

SEIS investments offer several key advantages for investors such as:

• 50 per cent income tax relief (no matter what your tax bracket)
• Capital gains tax loss for gains made in 2012/13 and invested in 2013/14
• Tax-free capital gain
• 100 per cent Inheritance tax property relief
• Substantial capital loss relief.

The second Mercia Growth Fund 2 was launched in March and is expected to close by June this year.

NB: SEIS is Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and EIS is Enterprise Investment Scheme.

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About Mercia Fund Management

Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over £17 million under active management.

MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses ranging from early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. Furthermore, MFM can also provide cost-effective incubator accommodation at Forward House in Henley-in-Arden coupled with centralised support services in keeping with its model as a hands-on, supportive investor.

MFM is an FSA authorised and regulated fund manager under FSMA (FRN: 524856).

www.merciafund.co.uk

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Oxford, 2 April 2013. Oxford-based The Native Antigen Company (NAC) has received new investment from the Mercia Growth Fund 1 and NAC’s existing shareholders.

The new investment will accelerate the continued expansion of this now profitable operation which seeks to expand into key markets within the ­in vitro diagnostic (IVD) and pharmaceutical sectors.

NAC specialises in the isolation and purification of native viral and bacterial antigens which are needed to provide the high levels of the specificity and sensitivity required by the latest generation of serology based IVD tests.  It is also pioneering into the use of mammalian cell expression platforms, with an emphasis on producing antigens for use in vaccine development.

The company’s success will be showcased at Mercia Fund Management‘s (MFM) first Open House event for companies seeking seed and expansion funding on 16 April 2013.

NAC already trades on a regular basis with over 25 IVD and pharmaceutical manufacturers  worldwide.  As over 90% of NAC’s products are exported, and with employees from five different countries, the company has become an international success.

CEO of NAC, Andrew Maxwell commented: “We chose to work with MFM due to its strong track record of pro-actively helping businesses manage the challenges and opportunities within a start-up environment. For companies looking for funding, Mercia Fund Management’s Open House event is a must-attend event.

“In addition to investment provision, key introductions to grant bodies, industry connections and support service providers, MFM has directly supported the NAC team to continue their accelerated growth. Furthermore, working with Mercia has helped to streamline many of the costs of starting a new venture.”

Mark Payton, board director on NAC and managing director of MFM will host the first Open House event for companies seeking seed and expansion funding on 16 April.

To register, please visit: http://merciafundmanagementopenhouse.eventbrite.co.uk

MFM has an extensive portfolio of companies across the Midlands, Oxfordshire and London, and manages a portfolio of institutional funds that also offer deal flow into its SEIS and EIS Growth Funds. Long-term partnerships with eight universities offer a wide range of high-growth potential investment opportunities.

EIS investments offer several key advantages such as:

• 30 per cent income tax relief and capital gains tax deferral
• Tax-free capital gain
• 100 per cent Inheritance Tax property relief
• Substantial capital loss relief.

SEIS investments offer several key advantages including:

• 50 per cent income tax relief (no matter what your tax bracket is)
• Capital gains tax loss for gains made in 2012/13 and invested in 2013/14
• Tax-free capital gain
• 100 per cent Inheritance tax property relief
• Substantial capital loss relief.

The second Mercia Growth Fund 2 was launched in March and is expected to close by June this year.

NB: SEIS is Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and EIS is Enterprise Investment Scheme.

-ENDs-

About Mercia Fund Management

Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over £17 million under active management.

MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses from those with early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. Furthermore, MFM can also provide cost-effective incubator accommodation at Forward House in Henley-in-Arden coupled with centralised support services in keeping with its model as a hands on, active investor.

MFM is an FSA authorised and regulated fund manager under FSMA (FRN: 524856).

www.merciafund.co.uk

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