IP Group news .

IP Group is celebrating a successful first five years in Australia and New Zealand, with more than $80 million committed to date and its focus now firmly fixed on unlocking more than $500 million worth of investments for the sector.

Since the launch of its local operations in 2017, IP Group has become the most active investor in Australian university spin-outs during the period and is on track to achieving its goal of investing directly more than $200 million by 2027.

So far, the team has invested in 15 spin-outs in the region, each one based on hard science from leading research institutions.

These include companies developing a new hydrogen electrolyser, electric aircraft, novel lithium-refining technology, and novel RNA-based therapies for inflammatory lung disease.

Dr Michael Molinari, IP Group Australia Managing Director, said the company’s $200 million investment plan is expected to lead to more than half a billion dollars being invested in university spin-outs, courtesy of co-investors who are keen to support the sector, such as Hostplus and TelstraSuper.

“The companies that we have helped to build have created well over $200 million in enterprise value so far, and we look forward to continuing to create both positive impact on society and value for investors," he said.

“There is a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Australia and New Zealand if we can continue to build on these strong foundations.”

IP Group works in close partnership with the Group of Eight (Go8) universities and the University of Auckland to identify companies and projects rooted in hard science that can change the world for the better.

The team focuses on three broad themes addressing major future challenges: a healthier future, a sustainable future, and a technology-enriched future.

The Chief Executive Officer of IP Group plc, Greg Smith, said: “The team has made excellent progress in supporting our university partners in the region to get their disruptive innovation market-ready.

“We are also delighted that both HostPlus and TelstraSuper have supported IP Group in its mission, helping establish a critical ecosystem which will help support growth and productivity.

“We are grateful for the trust that our university and funding partners have placed in us and remain committed to helping create and support companies that will have a positive impact.”

Companies that IP Group has invested in during the past five years include Hysata (new hydrogen electrolyser), RAGE Biotech (inflammatory lung disease therapies), Canopus Networks (traffic flow technology), AMSL Aero (electric air ambulance), and Alimetry (wearable medical tech for gastric disease diagnosis).

Dr Molinari added: “The growth in the maturity of the innovation ecosystem that we have seen at our universities over the past five years has been phenomenal, highlighting the potential for Australian science to generate tremendous impact beyond publications.

“Our strong university partnerships are crucial to the creation of outstanding companies that have a positive impact on Australia and the world.”

Media contact:

Aileen Bodart, Cannings Strategic Communications, +61 432 160 136

About IP Group

IP Group develops world-changing science and technology businesses across life sciences, technology and cleantech (through Kiko Ventures). The Group has a strong track record of success, having been the founder investor in a number of high-profile companies including Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc. In Australia and New Zealand, IP Group works in close partnership with the Go8 Universities and the University of Auckland to identify ground-breaking technologies rooted in hard science, which have the most promising commercial potential. www.ipgroupanz.com. IP Group is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the code IPO.