This expansion aims to take advantage of promising investment opportunities and to continue supporting its current portfolio. An additional £2 million has been secured from the fund's investors, enabling DPV to acquire larger stakes in companies that align with its strategic goals.

Established in 2022 by Discovery Park, DPV focuses on investing in emerging life-science companies that are integral to the innovation ecosystem at Discovery Park. The initial £1 million investment of DPV has been fully allocated, with recent investments in several promising enterprises, including Optceutics Ltd, a company specialising in ophthalmology drug development. Other notable investments by DPV include Vitarka Therapeutics, VisusNano, Booby Biome, Neobe Therapeutics, Ignota Labs, and Oxford Medical Products, with further announcements imminent.

The second tranche of funding has been utilised for follow-on investments in two existing portfolio companies, one of which is Ignota Labs, known for its work in enhancing drug discovery safety using Explainable AI. DPV is actively reviewing new investment opportunities and will showcase some of its portfolio at the upcoming Giant Health’s ‘Healthcare Investment Show’ in London, scheduled for December 5th, 2023.

Mayer Schreiber, Chair of Discovery Park Ventures, and CEO of Discovery Park, commented: “Our portfolio of investments is making strong progress, and we are delighted by the support our investors have shown us with this second tranche of funding. It is the first step in Discovery Park Ventures’ planned expansion, and we look forward to working with regional investment groups and other funds as we grow.”

Looking ahead, DPV has ambitious plans to enlarge the fund to £25 million over the next three years. The focus will remain on companies that are pioneering novel and disruptive technologies and maintain robust collaborative ties with Discovery Park.