Mobius Life Sciences Fund invests in XenoGesis Limited12 March 2012 Mobius Life Sciences Fund, a subsidiary of BioCity Nottingham, has invested in XenoGesis Limited, a contract research organisation (CRO) set up by ex-AstraZeneca researchers last year. The company provides laboratory-based services to pharmaceutical clients engaged in drug discovery. Mobius’ financing is part of a £135,000 investment round in the fast-growing start-up company, which includes loan funding from Nottingham City Council. The funds will be used for working capital and investment in both laboratory and office IT infrastructure. Mobius investment also comes with industry expertise in company growth. Based in BioCity Nottingham, XenoGesis specialises in pre-clinical drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), quantitative bioanalysis and expert interpretation. Their laboratory tests demonstrate how the human body might affect the way a drug behaves. Backing this up with advice on how to modify the chemical structure of a compound to make it more ‘drug-like’ makes the XenoGesis service attractive to global drug companies. Just four months since launch, the company has already signed-up several international clients. Director of the Mobius Life Sciences Fund, Dr Glenn Crocker, says: “XenoGesis has already shown its growth capability by winning significant contracts and exceeding its early targets. The highly experienced and committed management team are focussed and passionate about what they do. They are ambitious but also realistic in their plans. I believe XenoGesis is just the kind of venture Mobius Life Sciences is looking to invest in.” At a time when the pharmaceutical sector is undergoing significant global restructuring, smaller CROs such as XenoGesis are in great demand. Founder and Managing Director Dr Richard Weaver left AstraZeneca Research and Development in Loughborough to start his company which has already provided jobs for three former senior colleagues. “The decision by Mobius Life Sciences to invest in the company has made an enormous difference to our first months in business,” says Richard. “We are off to a flying start, and appreciate the confidence in our plans shown by the Fund. With their expertise, contacts and sector knowledge, combined with the support of BioCity Nottingham, we expect to have a very successful first year of trading.” XenoGesis: www.xenogesis.com/
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