Please click on the icons below to learn more about the portfolio of companies held by the Ordinary Shares (SENECA GROWTH CAPITAL VCT PLC ORD 1P).
Ordinary Share Class Portfolio
Current Portfolio
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Arecor Ltd - Unquoted
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Arecor Ltd - Unquoted
Arecor was a spin-out from Insense (qv) to commercialise technology developed by Insense for enabling biologics to maintain their integrity without the need for refrigeration – this both reduces cost and also helps deployment in developing countries where temperature monitored cold storage facilities are in short supply. The technology also assists in maintaining the integrity and function of proteins exposed to ionizing radiation as the means of sterilisation.
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Fuel 3D Technologies Ltd - Unquoted
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Fuel 3D Technologies Ltd - Unquoted
Eykona was founded in 2007 to deploy computer vision technology (essentially 3D imaging) developed within Oxford University for developing a hand held camera to measure the volume of chronic wounds – this is a vital measurement for obtaining an understanding of whether a wound is getting better or worse, and hence assist determining the treatment to be applied.
The first production version of the camera was delivered in May 2010. The company is pursuing a recurring income business model.
The 3D imaging technology also has potential applications outside MedTech. One of the uses for which the camera was being used clinically in the US was to help create masks for dealing with patients suffering from facial burns – this resulted in becoming aware of the opportunity to develop the medical camera into an affordable handheld 3D scanner for use by both retail and business users within the 3D printing market – this product (with development partly funded via Kickstarter) is due to be launched in 2014. As part of this changed strategic direction, the Eykona business was restructured in 2014, resulting in the investment in Eykona Ltd becoming an investment in Fuel 3D Technologies Ltd.
Links:
Fuel 3D
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Immunobiology Ltd - Unquoted
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Immunobiology Ltd - Unquoted
ImmunoBiology is a biotechnology company that is focused on developing products that could have applications in the treatment of a range of infectious diseases such as meningitis, tuberculosis, influenza and hepatitis C. The company’s technology is based on a the discovery that a group of proteins known as “heat shock proteins” has a pivotal role in controlling the normal immune response to infections. Scancell’s ImmunoBody technology has been licensed for use in non-cancer treatments.
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Insense Ltd - Unquoted
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Insense Ltd - Unquoted
Insense has developed an innovative product range for the chronic wound care market – this is a growing market due to, inter alia, the increasing average age of populations and the growing incidence of diabetes. Technology developed by the company has been spun out into Archimed (qv) and Arecor (qv). Following these two spin-outs, Insense is concentrating on using its technology to develop dermatology products for both professional and consumer applications.
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Microarray Ltd (formerly Archimed LLP) - Unquoted
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Microarray Ltd (formerly Archimed LLP) - Unquoted
Archimed was a spin-out from Insense (qv) to commercialise wound dressing technology developed by Insense for the chronic wound care market – this is a growing market due to, inter alia, the increasing average age of populations and the growing incidence of diabetes.
In 2014, a restructuring resulted in the investment in Archimed LLP becoming a shareholding in Microarray Ltd, following the sale of Archimed LLP with its developed products – the rights to the principal product under development was excluded from the sale and transferred to Microarray.
Visit the company website here
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OR Productivity Plc - Unquoted
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OR Productivity Plc - Unquoted
Freehand 2010 acquired the business of Freehand Surgical Ltd following the latter being placed in administration in December 2010.
Freehand is positioning itself to become the leading supplier of low cost robotic laparoscope controllers for use by keyhole surgeons. Freehand is a successor product to EndoAssist (an instrument which was very large and expensive vs. Freehand being portable and inexpensive) which enabled keyhole surgeons to control the camera directly (via a unique control system guided by head movement) without the use of an assistant. Freehand, was launched in 2009 – the benefits are cost saving (vs. using an assistant), immediate performance of surgeon’s instructions and a steady picture, which lead to shorter operation times and better patient outcomes.
At the end of 2011, Freehand 2010 was acquired by OR Productivity plc (ORP) in exchange for ORP shares. ORP was founded by two people with very senior MedTech experience in order to commercialise products able to enhance the productivity of Minimally Invasive Medicine, which embraces keyhole surgery. The Freehand product is perceived as a platform product for other productivity enhancing products which are appearing for keyhole surgeons.
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Scancell Holdings PLC - AIM Listed
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Scancell Holdings PLC - AIM Listed
Scancell is a Nottingham-based company that is developing a pipeline of drugs to target various types of cancer. These products are derived from Scancell’s proprietary ImmunoBody technology. The first trial being undertaken is for a treatment for melanoma, with a Phase I trial scheduled having started in the UK during Q2 2010.
During 2006, the company sold its pipeline of antibodies to Peptech Ltd, an Australian biotechnology company, in a deal that had a total value of up to £4.85 million.
Dendreon is pursuing a similar scientific approach to Scancell but is taking a different approach to the way in which the treatment is provided. You can visit the Dendreon website by clicking here.
Full and Partial Exits
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Exosect
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Exosect
Exosect focuses on the development and sales of intelligent and environmentally-friendly pest management solutions. Its products help growers, food producers and processors reduce their use of insecticides.
Based on research carried out in Biological Sciences, the company’s products were developed using “Entostat” powder, which is derived from a natural wax harvested from a type of palm tree. The powder acts as a delivery mechanism for chemicals due to its electrostatic properties. When placed in contact with insects, the powder adheres to them and can be passed from one insect to another through direct contact.
Exosect Ltd was spun out of Southampton University in 2001 with a focused R&D function and in 2005 it launched the first of its innovative crop protection products.
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Omega Diagnostics Group Plc
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Omega Diagnostics Group Plc
Omega Diagnostics Group PLC’s subsidiaries provide high quality in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) products for use in hospitals, clinics, laboratories and healthcare practitioners in over 75 countries and specialise in the areas of CD4, infectious diseases and food intolerance