SEP appointed to manage LDC portfolio

Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) has been appointed by LDC to manage its healthcare and biotechnology portfolio. SEP will provide investment advice on LDC’s portfolio of life science and healthcare companies, which includes Dundee-based cancer therapeutics specialist Cyclacel. The actual size of the portfolio has not been disclosed.

SEP managing director Calum Paterson said: “We have a strong relationship with LDC, having co-invested with them on a number of occasions, and in addition they are one of the limited partners in our current fund. I think LDC were keen to draw on our experience in healthcare and life sciences, which is one of the areas of investment that we have a strong focus on.”

He added the decision was a strategic opportunity for SEP and believes it fits well with the group’s existing activities. There are no immediate plans for SEP to do more of this kind of thing in the future. “Any opportunities we do consider will depend on us having the right level of resources and infrastructure in place and on ensuring that they fit well with our existing activities,” he said.

SEP has also recently appointed Jan Rutherford, who has more than a decade’s experience in the sector ands joins SEP’s expanding healthcare and life sciences group from her previous role as vice president, life sciences at Dresdner Kleinwort Capital in London.

SEP has built up a significant portfolio of companies in the healthcare and life sciences sector including: Provis, a manufacturer of disposable soft contact lenses; Intercytex, a pioneer in regenerative medicine; and Voxar, technology for medical imaging.