Travers Smith LLP has advised Medicxi Ventures, formerly Index Ventures Life Sciences, on its formation as an independent life science firm.
Medicxi Ventures started its operations on 1 February 2016 as one of the largest independent European life sciences focused investment firms. Based in London, Geneva and Jersey, Medicxi Ventures comprises all of the legacy portfolio companies, funds and the life sciences team of Index Ventures, and a new €210 million fund (MV1) that will focus on early-stage investments in life sciences. The Company's mission is to invest and collaborate along the full healthcare continuum focusing on drug discovery and development and pharmaceutical innovation. Leading healthcare companies, GSK and Johnson & Johnson Innovation-JJDC are investors in Medicxi Ventures' funds.
The creation of Medicxi Ventures as a new entity is a natural evolution given that Index' life sciences team has been operating autonomously within the firm for several years. Index Ventures and Medicxi Ventures will now operate independently, but will retain close ties. Index Ventures technology practice remains unchanged.
The Travers Smith team was led by investment funds partner Sam Kay, senior corporate associate Sacha McAuley and investment funds associate Eilidh Campbell. The team also included tax partner Emily Clark and tax associate Terry Eleftheriou.