Gen Two and Barwood Capital drive UK life sciences hub with Coutts loan
Deal News | Jan 16, 2025 | Coutts & Co
Coutts & Co., the prestigious financial institution, has facilitated the development of the Lion Works laboratories near Cambridge through a significant loan to Gen Two and Barwood Capital. This initiative is part of the broader Invest 2035 strategy of the UK Government, which emphasizes the life sciences sector as pivotal for economic and healthcare advancements. By providing state-of-the-art laboratory spaces, the venture supports prominent companies like Constructive Bio and Alchemab Therapeutics in their innovative research efforts. The laboratories, characterized by high energy efficiency and sustainability, meet the unique needs of life sciences businesses. Coutts, known for its bespoke financial solutions, was crucial in ensuring the project’s financial feasibility, while maintaining a proactive partnership approach. Moving forward, further development plans for the Whittlesford site are in place to enhance its role as a leading biotech hub.
Sectors
- Life Sciences
- Commercial Real Estate
- Finance and Investment
Geography
- United Kingdom – The project is located near Cambridge in the UK, which is a major hub for life sciences and biotechnology research.
Industry
- Life Sciences – The article focuses on the development of laboratories that support research in the life sciences sector, crucial for healthcare advancements.
- Commercial Real Estate – The development of laboratory spaces involves commercial real estate activities, especially in providing specialized facilities for the life sciences sector.
- Finance and Investment – Coutts & Co.'s role in providing financing for the laboratory development highlights the financial and investment dimensions involved in such projects.
Financials
- £46 million – Secured through a Series A financing round by Constructive Bio, illustrating the financial scale of the developments supported by the laboratory spaces.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coutts & Co. | Financial Backer | Company | A prestigious financial institution providing the loan for developing Lion Works laboratories. |
| Gen Two | Developer | Company | A real estate developer involved in the redevelopment of laboratory spaces for the life sciences sector. |
| Barwood Capital | Co-Developer | Company | A capital investment firm partnering with Gen Two to develop laboratory spaces. |
| Edward Henson | Head of Transactions | Person | Barwood Capital's Head of Transactions, involved in the development of the laboratory project. |
| Constructive Bio | Tenant | Company | A research company utilizing the laboratory spaces for groundbreaking technological work. |
| Alchemab Therapeutics | Tenant | Company | A specialist life sciences company working in the laboratory spaces provided by the development. |
| Ariel Levy | Director | Person | Director of Gen Two Real Estate, overseeing the redevelopment of the laboratory spaces. |
| Ross Ironside | Head of Real Estate | Person | Coutts' Head of Real Estate, vital to the financing relationship and project execution. |
| Danielle Sheppard | Head of Performance and Impact | Person | Overseeing environmental and social impact at Barwood Capital, focusing on sustainability of the development. |