RTW Venture Fund Limited — Positive newsflow from major fund holding
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RTW Biotech Opportunities (LSE: RTW)

Last close As at 15/04/2024

1.36

0.00 (0.00%)

Market capitalisation

286m

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Research: Investment Companies

RTW Venture Fund Limited — Positive newsflow from major fund holding

RTW Venture Fund (RTWVF) is managed by global healthcare specialist RTW Investments (RTW). It has announced that on 7 December 2022 portfolio company Prometheus Biosciences (NASDAQ: RXDX, cap $4.9bn) reported positive data on two of its clinical trials. At 31 October 2022, which is the date of RTWVF’s last published NAV, Prometheus was its third-largest holding, making up c 7.5% of the fund. This company’s share price rose by 165.7% on 7 December and by a further 22.4% on 8 December (despite the announcement of an upsized $500m secondary offering). Prometheus is an example of RTW’s long-term, full life cycle investment approach, which supports companies ranging from newco formation to mid-stage venture to pre-initial public offering (IPO) and public markets.

Melanie Jenner

Written by

Mel Jenner

Director, Investment Trusts

Investment Companies

RTW Venture Fund

Positive newsflow from major fund holding

Investment companies
Biotechnology and medtech

9 December 2022

Price

$1.15

Market cap

$244m

Total assets

$308m

NAV*

$1.45

Discount to NAV**

20.7%

*At 31 October 2022. **Based on current share price and last published NAV.

Yield

0.0%

Ordinary shares in issue

212.4m

Codes

RTW ($), RTWG (£)

Primary exchange

LSE

AIC sector

Biotechnology & Healthcare

52-week high/low

$1.79

$0.97

NAV* high/low

$1.71

$1.22

*Including income

Fund objective

RTW Venture Fund (RTWVF) was launched on 30 October 2019 and is focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. The portfolio contains private as well as publicly listed companies. RTWVF’s performance is measured against an index of small-cap biotech stocks and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index.

Analyst

Mel Jenner

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

RTW Venture Fund is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

RTW Venture Fund (RTWVF) is managed by global healthcare specialist RTW Investments (RTW). It has announced that on 7 December 2022 portfolio company Prometheus Biosciences (NASDAQ: RXDX, cap $4.9bn) reported positive data on two of its clinical trials. At 31 October 2022, which is the date of RTWVF’s last published NAV, Prometheus was its third-largest holding, making up c 7.5% of the fund. This company’s share price rose by 165.7% on 7 December and by a further 22.4% on 8 December (despite the announcement of an upsized $500m secondary offering). Prometheus is an example of RTW’s long-term, full life cycle investment approach, which supports companies ranging from newco formation to mid-stage venture to pre-initial public offering (IPO) and public markets.

Prometheus is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a precision medicine approach for the discovery, development and commercialisation of novel therapeutic and companion diagnostic products for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.

Its lead programme is PRA023, a monoclonal antibody that has been shown to block tumour necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A), which has the potential to substantially improve outcomes for moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease patients predisposed to increased TL1A expression. Prometheus is developing PRA023 for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases including ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD) and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.

On 7 December 2022, Prometheus reported results from its ARTEMIS-UC Phase II and APOLLO-CD Phase IIa studies of PRA023 demonstrating strong efficacy and favourable safety results in both studies. The ARTEMIS-UC clinical trial was a 12week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRA023 in patients with moderate-to-severely active UC who have failed conventional or advanced therapy. The APOLLO-CD clinical trial was a 12-week, open-label study that enrolled 55 patients with moderate-to-severely active CD with endoscopically active disease who had failed conventional or biologic therapy. According to Prometheus’s chairman and CEO, the performance of PRA023 in both UC and CD patients has surpassed the company’s expectations. As a result of these positive data, Prometheus intends to advance PRA023 into Phase III studies for UC and CD in 2023.

RTWVF, along with other funds managed by RTW, participated in a $130m financing round in Prometheus in November 2020 and then supported the company’s IPO in March 2021.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by RTW Venture Fund and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by RTW Venture Fund. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

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New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by RTW Venture Fund and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by RTW Venture Fund. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2022 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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