Pencil Biosciences–o2h: investment, 202002 investment by o2h Ventures Therapeutics and AI Fund

	Period	2020-02-15
	Money taker	Pencil Biosciences Ltd.
	Money source	o2h Ventures Therapeutics and AI Fund
	Group	o2h (Group)
	Product	genome editing (gene editing)
	Product 2	venture capital
	Person	Shah, Sunil (o2h Discovery Ltd 201806 CEO)

o2h Ventures. (2/15/20). "Press Release: o2h Ventures Makes an Investment in Pencil Biosciences, a Novel Gene Modulation Biotech". Cambridge.

The o2h Therapeutics and AI Fund (“The Fund”), an early stage S/EIS fund investing in biotechnology therapeutics and related AI opportunities, is pleased to announce an investment in Pencil Biosciences, a novel gene modulation biotech company based at Alderley Park, Cheshire.

Pencil Biosciences is developing a truly innovative gene modulation technology that can have an impact across a range of applications, including new therapeutic options for patients with rare diseases.

The funds will support Pencil Biosciences aims to develop a novel, programmable genome-modulation tool that overcomes the challenges associated with the technologies currently available.

This investment represents o2h Ventures first investment into the cell and gene therapy space. This modality could have a huge impact on patients and in some cases potentially result in cures, but, as with any new technology, there needs to be improvements. Pencil’s technology offers the prospect of enhanced selectivity and more effective delivery than is achieved with competitive approaches.

Sunil Shah, CEO, o2h Ventures who manages The fund alongside Prashant Shah, said: “Pencil are working on a game-changing technology that could have massive value in the gene editing/modulation space. The Innovate UK grants that Pencil has received will be very supportive in helping the company achieve its initial goals. ”

Dr Jon Moore, Executive Chair, Pencil Biosciences, said: “Pencil Biosciences are delighted to welcome o2h Ventures to its seed round syndicate. We aim to take advantage of o2h’s network across pharma and big biotech and relationships with larger US funds as our exciting technology matures.”

Editor’s Note:

About o2h Ventures:

o2h Ventures Limited has launched the o2h Therapeutics and AI fund which is the first S/EIS fund in the UK solely focused on early stage biotech therapeutics and related AI opportunities. The geographic scope shall be UK wide including Oxford and London but will target the growing Cambridge biotech cluster. The Fund is structured to be S/EIS compliant providing tax breaks for UK taxpayers.

The o2h team are leaders in the biotech community and have been actively involved as investors, holding various board/industry positions as well as being engaged in grassroots scientific activity for over 20 years. o2h operate from their proprietary 2.7 acre Mill SciTech Park where they are developing a unique model for incubating small life science companies.

For more information or to invest in the fund, please visit- www.o2hventures.com

Contact:

Ajit Singh
Marketing Manager
ajit@o2h.com

About Pencil Biosciences:

Pencil Biosciences is a seed stage company developing a novel genome modulation platform that it anticipates will have wide impact across a range of applications. Based in the BioHub at Cheshire’s Alderley Park, the company benefits from an experienced board and management team.

For more information, please visit – www.pencilbiosciences.com

Contact:

Dr Jon Moore
Executive Chair
Jon@pencilbiosciences.com