A significant move in the pharmaceutical investment landscape has emerged as Carlyle-backed Abingworth seeks to raise up to £1.5 billion for clinical trials funding, marking a strategic shift towards royalty-based partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies.
The UK-based life sciences investor aims to finance approximately eight late-stage trials through this new fund. Private equity giant Carlyle, which acquired Abingworth in 2022, has committed to participating as a limited partner in this ambitious venture.
The fundraising initiative follows Abingworth’s successful execution of two substantial royalty deals earlier this year. A notable collaboration with Gilead Sciences, valued at £210 million, focuses on developing the cancer drug Trodelvy, whilst a £150 million partnership with Teva centres on asthma inhaler development.
Established in 1973, Abingworth has traditionally concentrated on venture capital investments in early-stage biotech firms. The company’s strategic evolution comes at a crucial time when pharmaceutical companies are actively seeking to optimise their capital expenditure whilst maintaining robust drug development pipelines.
The fund’s track record speaks volumes, with Abingworth reporting an impressive 80 per cent success rate in phase-three trials, significantly outperforming the industry average of 55-60 per cent. This stellar performance has positioned the company as a preferred partner for pharmaceutical organisations facing patent cliffs.
The appointment of Robert deBenedetto, former SFJ Pharmaceuticals chief executive, in August 2023, signals Abingworth’s commitment to strengthening its direct partnerships with pharmaceutical and larger biotech companies. The fund is expected to reach closure by early 2024, establishing a new paradigm in pharmaceutical development financing.
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