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17/12/2009
Genetrix secures €9 million in financing |
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Genetrix has announced in a press release that it has closed a €9 million financing round which has been subscribed to by the group's current partners and by the investment firm Casticapital.
As part of the transaction, Casticapital becomes a new shareholder and has assumed a position on the board of directors, states Genetrix, also explaining that, after the closing of this round of financing, the group has participated in two of the three main capital increases in the biotechnology sector in 2009.
In fact, this investment round can be added to those that have been recently closed by the companies Cellerix and Biobide, affiliates of the Genetrix Group, for the sums of €27 million and €3 million respectively.
After the operation announced today, the biotechnology group’s companies counted together have secured capital reaching a total value of €39 million, exceeding €80 million in private investments in the last 5 years.
Genetrix was advised by 'La Caixa’ Corporate Finance in its search for investors interested in making cash contributions that will be allocated to strengthening its commitment to subsidiaries such as Coretherapix, focussed on cell therapy for regeneration of the heart post-heart attack.
The money received will also be allocated to another group company called X-Pol, which this month announced the launch of “Magniphi®”, its first product on the market, intended for research use in laboratories and with an estimated market in Europe of €750 million annually.
The new funds will also help to continue financing preclinical programmes and those in the early research phase, being carried out by the rest of the companies within the group.
According to the chairman of Genetrix, Eduardo González, the capital injection shows the "strong" support of the shareholders “in such a difficult economic climate". “The group is considered by the market to be an extremely attractive investment, thanks to the favourable progress of the companies in its portfolio”, he added.
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14/12/2009
Genetrix reaches an agreement for the sale of its subsidiary, Imbiosis |
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Genetrix, the largest group of companies in the Spanish biotechnology sector has finalised the sale of one of its technology companies: Imbiosis.
An agreement was reached with R-Biopharm AG for the sale of 100% of the company. R-Biopharm AG is an international group of companies with headquarters in Germany, and is a leader in the development of diagnostic tests and food analysis.
R-Biopharm group’s interest in Imbiosis was a result of the company's technological prominence in the food market, specifically in gluten analysis. Initially, the German company intends to maintain Imbiosis’ goals, structure and client base, and to begin its entry into the Spanish and international market.
The sale of Imbiosis is in line with the Genetrix Group’s strategic interest in focussing on technology from the healthcare sphere. It also confirms the appeal of its business model which consists of detecting, incubating and developing biotechnology research programmes from the initial phase, in order to develop them into profitable business ventures - either to be kept in its portfolio, or to be of potential interest to investors.
With this agreement, the Group obtains greater liquidity to strengthen the projects it currently has, and also secures profits for its shareholders; factors that allow it to continue developing new innovative business initiatives in the biotechnology sector.
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4/12/2009
X-Pol Biotech launches its product MagniPhi® |
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X-Pol Biotech, a company within the Genetrix Group, founded in May 2008 with Prof. Luis Blanco, announces the forthcoming commercialization of its MagniPhi® product (Phi29, DNA polymerase).
Research conducted by the company, and led by Prof. Margarita Salas and Prof. Luis Blanco has led to the development of MagniPhi®, a high quality and high purification grade Phi29 DNA polymerase. These characteristics differentiate the product from other amplification enzymes commercialized by other companies in the sector.
The main target users of MagniPhi® will be scientists focused on basic research, for use in DNA amplification and for the labelling and modification of 3´ ends.
In parallel with the launch of its first product, X-Pol Biotech will continue its research and development of DNA polymerases and their applications in biotechnology. This research will provide new products that will be launched by the company during 2010 and beyond.
X-Pol Biotech’s long term mission is to become an international reference company in the development and exploitation of polymerases. To reach that goal, X-Pol Biotech counts on professionals with a extensive and recognised experience in this field.
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12/11/2009
Cellerix raises €27 million in a first closing |
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Cellerix, a product-focused biopharmaceutical company which develops innovative medicines based on cell therapy, today announced the successful first closing of its financing round, raising €27 million. Participants in this capital increase included current shareholders and a select group of new investors. Cellerix completed another financing round for €27.2 million in September 2007.
This round was led by the leading life science venture capital funds YSIOS Capital Partners, LSP (Life Science Partners) and Ventech. Grupo Genetrix also played a key role in the deal, and two of Cellerix’ current investors (Roche Venture Fund and Novartis Venture Fund) have significantly increased their stake. Furthermore, A&G and Cellerix’ management team have also subscribed to the capital increase. Florent Gros (representing Novartis) and a second representative from Genetrix, still to be designated, will join Cellerix board of directors.
The new Cellerix shareholders include Bankinter S.A., Capital Riesgo Madrid and JV Risk Technologies S.L.
Joël Jean-Mairet, Cellerix’s Chairman has commented “The size of this round and the quality of the participants show investor’s confidence in the potential of Cellerix and its management team. I believe Cellerix is becoming a world reference in the emerging cell therapy area as it moves towards the market launch of its first product backed by a very interesting pipeline”.
The funds raised by Cellerix in this financing round will be used for funding the completion of the clinical development of its lead product - Ontaril® - and preparation for its market launch in H2 2011. The proceeds of the round will also be used for funding the development additional products in the pipeline, including allogenic programs for the treatment of the autoimmune diseases.
Eduardo Bravo, Cellerix’ CEO added “This capital injection will allow us to continue with the development of all of our programs following the planned schedule, as well as enabling us to defend and increase Cellerix’ leading position in the field, helping us to become the first company to commercialise a cell therapy medicine in Europe”.
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22/9/2008
Genetrix, official sponsor Biospain 2008 |
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José Torres Hurtado, Mayor of Granada, welcomed the participants of Biospain and thanked the organization for having chosen Granada as the host city of Biospain 2008. Eduardo González, Genetrix´s President conveyed his pride in participating in Biospain 2008, adding that he is convinced that this event will be the main showcase of Spanish biotechnology worldwide. He also stated that he considered the support of Granada´s Administration as key to Biospain´s success in improving Spanish competitiveness.
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8/8/2008
Eduardo González, New Chairman of Biomadrid |
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Biomadrid, created to promote the development in Madrid´s biotech industry, has unanimously decided its new Board of Directors and new president of the Association, Eduardo Gonzalez, who replaces Joaquin Guinea in its meeting held last months.
Eduardo has a degree in Business Administration and has a lot experience in areas such as Investment and Finance several, currently he is the Chief Executive Officer of Genetrix, the largest group of Spain’s Biotechnology industry.
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