1.        What is Clota Värde's mission?

I have always been passionate about making a difference for the betterment of humanity and the planet. For this reason, I wanted to create a company which solely focusses on clients that are making a marked change for a brighter future. Thus, Clota Värde was born.

Clota Värde is a corporate finance house that works to help impactful companies find the funds they need from aligned institutional investors.

Finding companies that are right for us involves understanding the key metrics investors and service-providers monitor. This allows us to explore companies that will be more aligned with the values of investors we look to pair them with.

We also value collaboration and partnership, so seek companies that are open to working with us in a mutually beneficial manner. This may include sharing resources, expertise, and technology to advance research and development in the specific field.

2.         Where is impact investment needed most?

When people hear the words ‘impact investment', concerns related to ESG, and more specifically the environment, immediately come to mind. However, it is important to keep a wider view of what can be impactful for our future. Healthcare, for example, is a perennial cornerstone in the drive for a more prosperous future but is critically underfunded.

This is a sector in which Clota Värde has taken a keen interest, seeking disrupters that deserve the funding to make their innovations widely accessible.

This need for a broader perspective is reflected in Clota Värde's current client base. For example, one of our most recent clients, Neuro-Bio, is a privately-owned biotech which emerged ten years ago from Oxford University and has a therapeutic focus on neurodegenerative disease. The company has discovered a novel 14 amino acid bioactive peptide (T14) which, when it develops abnormally, can lead to neurodegeneration, cancer and skin disorders.. This opens the door for pre-symptomatic testing and subsequent blocking of T14 to prevent symptom onset, making it a pioneer in the fight to stop Alzheimer's in its tracks.

3.                What makes Neuro-Bio different from other clients Clota Värde has worked with?

The company is unique in its origin. Founded by the Baroness Dr. Susan Greenfield in 2013, the company is focused on developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Their approach involves identifying and targeting specific pathways in the brain that are involved in the development of these diseases, with the aim of developing novel therapeutics that can slow or even reverse their progression.

Simply put, the research that they conduct is based on a deep understanding of the underlying biology of these diseases, and the company has developed several proprietary technologies and methods that allow them to identify potential drug targets and test the efficacy of new therapies. Overall, Neuro-Bio is dedicated to advancing the field of neuroscience and improving the lives of patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders.

Clota Värde is honoured to have been supporting Neuro-Bio with their latest Series C fundraising round, helping this leader to attract investment that will quite literally change the lives of millions of people affected by diseases like Alzheimer's.

For Clota Värde, companies like Neuro-Bio are exactly what we look for in our clients; their product offers revolutionary impact for people globally and is, in our view, chronically undervalued. Through our expertise, we will ensure the Baroness gets the recognition she deserves for her decades of work.

4.                You mentioned earlier you have always been interested in ESG and sustainability. How has that impacted your company and the healthcare industry?

At Clota Värde, we are passionate about true impact and helping businesses achieve this. These principles underpin what we look for in our clients, keeping us away from faux sustainability and instead looking to partner with firms that will make a real difference to our everyday lives.

ESG is no longer a trend, but a necessity. In both business and in our daily lives, we need to take these considerations seriously to ensure a healthier planet for our future. From an environmental perspective, healthcare is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste generation. As such, healthcare companies that prioritise sustainability and reduce their environmental impact may be more attractive to investors who prioritize ESG factors.

From a social perspective, healthcare companies have a responsibility to provide safe, effective, and affordable treatments to patients. For example, the treatment of Alzheimer's can benefit both patients and society. It can improve the quality of life for individuals with the disease and their families, reduce the burden on caregivers, and decrease healthcare costs associated with Alzheimer's care. Additionally, it can help to maintain the cognitive abilities of aging individuals, allowing them to continue to contribute to society and remain independent for longer periods.

Governance also comes into play, as companies with strong governance practices, including effective risk management and responsible use of data, may be more attractive to investors who prioritise ESG factors.

5.                So how would you use this framework when supporting companies?

Our job is to help guide companies on the financial value chain, on both the buy-side and the sell-side. In a nutshell, we bring impact-focused companies together with impact-oriented investors, using the ESG framework to better understand and serve the interests of both parties.

It's important to take a holistic approach that considers both the buy-side and sell-side of the equation, as well as the unique characteristics of the company's business model and financial goals. This involves conducting thorough due diligence, identifying key value drivers, and developing compelling investment theses that align with the company's objectives.

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