Taylor Wessing advises Vivacta on £6 million Series B fundraising

Taylor Wessing in London has acted for Vivacta Limited on a £6 million Series B fundraising round.

European Venture Capital firms HBM BioVentures and AGF Private Equity led the £6 million investment in Vivacta Limited. Vivacta's existing investors, Spark Ventures and Viking Technologies, also invested alongside HMB and AGF.

Vivacta Limited is a medical diagnostic company that is developing a patented ultra-sensitive Piezofilm-based technique for rapid point-of-care (PoC) testing. The company will use this fundraising to drive forward the commercialisation and launch of their unique piezofilm technology, and is already in discussion with a number of potential licensees that are interested in the opportunity to commercially exploit the technology.

The Taylor Wessing team advising Vivacta was led by corporate partner Simon Walker, working in conjunction with corporate associate Sian Skelton and IP associate Tim Worden.

HBM BioVentures and AGF Private Equity were advised by Travers Smith in Paris. 

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Notes to editors

For more information please contact Sarah le Cheminant at Taylor Wessing:

Tel: +44 (0)20 7300 4930

Email: s.lecheminant@taylorwessing.com

Taylor Wessing LLP is a leading law firm providing legal support for commercial organisations doing business in Europe. Based in Belgium, France, Germany and the UK, Taylor Wessing provides the full range of legal services to major corporations and growing enterprises. Taylor Wessing boasts a strong reputation in the corporate, finance and real estate sectors alongside in-depth experience across the full range of legal services including intellectual property and technology, tax, litigation & dispute resolution, employment & pensions and private client.

www.taylorwessing.com

About Vivacta:

Vivacta Limited is a medical diagnostic company that is developing a patented ultra-sensitive Piezofilm-based technique for rapid point-of-care (PoC) testing. This novel technology can quickly deliver a laboratory quality analysis of whole blood samples, without the need for cell separation. Based in the Kent Science Park and employing 20 scientists, Vivacta has strong venture capital funding and an ambitious growth strategy designed to rapidly commercialise its innovative product. Vivacta will initially offer a TSH test, but aims to partner larger diagnostic companies to provide immunoassay and molecular diagnostic tests to all parts of the fast-growing point-of-care (PoC) market. Information on Vivacta and its technology can be found at www.vivacta.com.

About HBM BioVentures

HBM BioVentures invests worldwide in private and small-cap public companies in the humane medicine / biotechnology and medical technology sectors. With assets of more than CHF 1 billion, HBM BioVentures has holdings in over 50 life sciences companies in Europe, North America and China. Out of HBM BioVentures’ private portfolio, more than 25 companies went public or were sold to a strategic partner. For more details, visit: www.hbmbioventures.com/en/01-unternehmen/profil.asp.

About AGF Private Equity

With close to €2Bn under management, AGF Private Equity, a member of the Allianz Group, is specialized in non -listed investments. Among the leading French funds, AGF Private Equity’s venture branch manages €300M, and has invested in more than 60 high tech companies. As one of the most active venture firms in Europe, AGF Private Equity is a strong partner of growth companies. For more details, visit www.agfpe.com.

About SPARK Ventures

SPARK Ventures is the leading quoted early-stage venture capital company in Europe. It manages £240 million on behalf of major institutional investors, leading UK universities, and three quoted venture capital trusts. SPARK invests in entrepreneurs to create dynamic businesses in the technology, media, telecoms and healthcare & life sciences sectors. As well as capital, it brings a wealth of experience of developing high growth companies from early stage through to IPO or trade sale, adding value to its investments through active support and strategic direction. The company, which was formerly known as NewMedia SPARK, announced its re-launch as SPARK Ventures in October. For more details, visit: www.sparkventures.com