Transaction support

Cambridge Consultants' healthcare consulting team prepared the independent Expert's Report that supported the UK's first pharmaceutical IPO of 2007 - Neuropharm Group plc's (LSE:NPH) successful listing on AIM.

The listing raised £20 million for Neuropharm, and despite the volatility of the market Neuropharm shares had a strong debut, with the price increasing substantially on the IPO level when trading started.

Our team examined many aspects of Neuropharm's technologies, products, pipelines opportunities, manufacturing and commercial partnerships, as well as the capabilities of the management team in order to draw up the Expert's Report. Neuropharm intends to use the proceeds of the placing to complete its development programme of its novel fluoxetine product for the treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, where it is aiming to submit a new drug application by the end of 2008. The company already has Orphan Drug designation for Autistic Spectrum Disorder which affects around 1 in 150 of the population.

Neuropharm also intends to progress clinical trials in respect of its other pipeline products relating to Fragile X Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. These neurological disorders affect Orphan Indication populations, with limited or no effective treatments to date. The company's strategy is to work closely with clinicians and patient groups to develop tailored medicines for Central Nervous System disorders and intends to market its products itself in the USA, and to out-license them in other territories.

Cambridge Consultants has been conducting transaction and due diligence to support fund raising activities such as M&As and market listings for nearly 10 years, and is renowned as the UK's leading provider of independent reports in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices field.

Among companies that Cambridge Consultants has reviewed as part of market listings are Ark Therapeutics plc, Chi-Med plc, PuriCore plc, Renovo plc and X Counter plc. In response to the growing global economy and cross border transactions, Cambridge Consultants has expanded in the last few years, and now works for companies raising finance in the enlarged EU, the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions.