British investors keep an eye on Medicon Valley biotech companies

Six British investors formed the jury at the Strictly Financing Award 2007. Medicon Valley Academy got their opinion on the biotech region and the event.

At the Strictly Financing Award 2007 3i was one of the six investors on the jury. 3i is one of the biggest European venture capitalist firms with around DKK 55 billion in market capitalisation. Partner in 3i, Thomas Pollare, finds Medicon Valley an interesting cluster that with the right strategic planning can become more dominant. He found the Strictly Financing Award 2007 good for meeting, evaluating and networking with interesting companies.

- I think that the Medicon Valley region has been successful in its marketing and now the region is a known cluster. However, you should focus on keeping and making your current companies more mature, Thomas Pollare commented when asked about the future of Medicon Valley.

Cluster development proven at Strictly Financing Award 2007

Advent Venture Partners also had a seat on the Strictly Financing Award 2007 jury. The venture capital firm has more than DKK 5,5 billions currently under management and was represented by General Partner Patrick Lee.

- We keep an eye on Medicon Valley because it is one of the most important European biotech regions. In the last years it has grown and developed continuously. This development is proven at an event like this where we meet six interesting companies that are driven by breakthrough science, commented General Partner Patrick Lee when asked why he found it important to visit Medicon Valley.

Update on interesting companies 

On the Strictly Financing Award jury Atlas Ventures was represented by Regina Hodits. Atlas Ventures has a market capitalization of DKK 83 billion and has more than DKK 11 billion in capital under management.

- An event like this gives a venture capitalist firm an update on interesting companies and tells us what is happening in the Medicon Valley region. I am especially impressed with the nominees who have got a platform that can generate products, which I find very important when evaluating companies, said Regina Hodits. 

Need for more international venture capital

In more general terms Regina Hodits highlights the development of biotech companies in the Danish part of Medicon Valley. Still she thinks there is a need for more international venture capital in the region and stresses that the Swedish part does not seem to be developing at the same pace as the Danish. She continues by offering advice on how Medicon Valley can further develop:

- I think that you to a higher degree should focus on services that would make it easier for foreigners and foreign companies to get established in the region. Examples on this are more international schools and relocational services that in my experience is disappointing in the Medicon Valley region, Partner Regina Hodits commented.

The six investors in the jury:

  • Aris Constantinides, Investment Director, NBGI Ventures
  • Regina Hodits, Partner, Atlas Venture
  • Patrick Lee, General Partner, Advent Venture Partners
  • Søren Mouritsen, Venture Partner, MVM Life Science Partners
  • Thomas Pollare, Investment Director, 3i
  • Simon Haworth, Co-Founder and Director, Ipso Ventures

For further information:

Strictly Financing Award 2007 was organised by Medicon Valley Academy and UK Trade & Investment, Copenhagen. 

Source: MVA, 25.06.2007