 Introduction by James Mallinson, Portfolio Manager
Membership of the Isis Angels Network is open to investors interested in equity funding of technology spin-out businesses from the University of Oxford. Members must confirm that they are: self certified as a high net worth individual; self certified as a sophisticated investor; or representing an appropriately regulated organisation. There is no membership fee.
The Isis Angels Network, a company limited by guarantee, was founded in August 1999. Since then Isis has seen the formation of some 50 new spin-out companies, which have been promoted to members of the Isis Angels Network. As well as individual business angels, institutional investors such as Oxford Technology VCT, IP Group, Nesta, and Oxford Capital Partners have participated in the funding of these new enterprises.
Individuals can often be welcome additions to the shareholder register of early stage companies, and in some cases they have also joined the Board.
Isis Angels Network, which exists to promote new spin-out opportunities, has since formation seen a total of £34.1m in start-up capital committed to new companies based on technology from the University of Oxford.
Isis Angels Networks seeks to introduce interested investors to the start-up teams behind new spin-outs. Typically the team will be comprised of the founding academic, the (prospective) CEO of the new company, which may not even have been incorporated, and the project manager from Isis Innovation. Network members are encouraged to contact the team if they are interested in a particular project.
Isis Spin-outs in the News
 Natural M
otion Limited, the creator of Dynamic Motion Synthesis technology, is seeing its technology receive worldwide acclaim. Its Euphoria software is a fundamental component in Grand Theft Auto IV, the current version of the most successful action computer game. It has received exciting industry comment following the title’s release on 29th April 2008. www.naturalmotion.com
Oxford Catalysts Group plc, has just announced its preliminary results for the year to 31 December 2007. The Group has had a successful year, ending it with £15m in the bank and over 80 commercial discussions under way. It has entered into an agreement with Novus Energy to supply catalysts for the network of over 50 biofuel plants that Novus plans to build worldwide. Analysts report that this deal alone underpins the current market valuation of the Group at £68m. www.oxfordcatalysts.com (AIM listed: OCG.L)
 Oxford Immunotec Limited
closed a $40m equity financing in October 2007, one of the biggest life sciences venture capital deals of the year. Oxford Immunotec has developed and launched a state-of-the-art TB diagnostic test that replaces the frequently imprecise 100-year-old skin test. www.oxfordimmunotec.com
 Cytox Limited
is developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to address Alzheimer’s disease. Based on the ground-breaking work of Dr Zsuzsanna Nagy, Cytox is closing a top up funding round and would be pleased to hear from interested parties. Contact CEO Richard Hadden at Richard.hadden@cytoxgroup.com
www.cytoxgroup.com
 Pharminox Limited
was formed in 2002 to exploit research of the late Professor Gordon Lowe. The company has now licensed technology relating to novel anti-cancer molecules from the laboratory of Professor Malcolm Stevens at the University of Nottingham and is currently completing a £2m equity fund-raising. www.pharminox.com
New Spin-out Opportunities from Oxford University
Tidal Turbine Co is developing an electricity generator technology based on the cylindrical Darius turbine. This design has significant advantages over other proposed schemes to extract energy from the powerful tidal flows surrounding the UK and various other coastal areas across the globe. The turbine has been successfully tested at 1/20th scale and the venture plans to launch later in 2008. Contact Dr Stuart Wilkinson stuart.wilkinson@isis.ox.ac.uk
Marine Renewables
Zyoxcel will suppy novel microbioreactors to enable routine 3D cell culture for more advanced high throughput in vitro toxicity and efficacy testing for a range of market sectors. Based on the work of Professor Zhanfeng Cui, Zyoxcel's platform technology promises significant time and cost savings in drug discovery and chemical testing programmes. Contact Dr Tim Hart, tim.hart@isis.ox.ac.uk
You can also register to receive the quarterly newsletter from Isis Innovation on the Isis web site at www.isis-innovation.com.
Please forward enquiries about the Isis Angels Network to James Mallinson at james.mallinson@isis.ox.ac.uk
This IAN E-News e-mail is distributed to Members of the Isis Angels Network and to regulated UK investors. If you are not in this category and would like to receive this regular e-mail please join the Isis Angels Network: http://www.isis-innovation.com/about/ian.html |
Welcome to the first Isis Angels Network e-newsletter. We are pleased to launch this alongside our existing Isis E-News. 
