RALEIGH, N.C., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina Bioscience Organization Executive Vice President Samuel Taylor has issued the following statement concerning today’s announcement by the North Carolina Golden LEAF that HBM Partners and Hatteras BioCapital have entered into a strategic relationship wherein Hatteras will open an investment advisory office to HBM in North Carolina.
“This is an extremely important development for North Carolina’s rapidly growing bioscience industry. HBM Partners is an internationally recognized leader in bioscience venture investment. HBM’s decision sends a strong signal to the world venture community that North Carolina is a premier location for development and commercialization of bioscience technologies.”
“For nearly a decade now, North Carolina’s bioscience community has been working with our state’s leaders to attract national venture capital companies to North Carolina. Today, Golden LEAF has exceeded that mark; they have brought one of the top bioscience venture funds in the world to our State.”
“NCBIO and its members are extremely grateful for the extraordinary commitment that Golden LEAF has made to fostering the growth of North Carolina’s bioscience industry. Through its announcement today, and its decision last year to invest $60 million in biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical training, Golden LEAF has set the stage for a new era of bioscience growth, investment and job creation in North Carolina.”
Following are quotes from NCBIO members and other North Carolina business leaders regarding today’s Golden LEAF / HBM Partners announcement.
Governor Jim Martin Governor Jim Hunt
Co-Chairs, NC Biotechnology Center Strategic Planning Committee, in a joint statement:
“This investment by Golden LEAF makes great strides toward addressing one of our most pressing needs. By bringing a new and substantial source of capital to North Carolina, Golden LEAF has helped build a vital future for biotechnology and the jobs it will create in our state.”
Bob Ingram Vice Chairman, GlaxoSmithKline
“The relationship with HBM raises the profile of the North Carolina bioscience industry. The creation of Hatteras BioCapital and its relationship with an internationally known firm like HBM means that North Carolina life sciences companies will have much greater access to capital than ever before.”
Dr. Christy Shaffer CEO, Inspire Pharmaceuticals
“Inspire has had a very positive experience with HBM over the years. The firm has been a committed and loyal investor in many of our private and public financings. I am confident that HBM’s advisory relationship with Hatteras in North Carolina will be of significant value to other companies in our state.”
Bill Johnson Group President, Progress Energy Board Member, Golden LEAF
“Biotechnology is a vital part of North Carolina’s economic future. I am pleased that Golden LEAF has made a commitment to build a brighter tomorrow for the industry, and that they are helping provide capital for worthy businesses as they grow. HBM’s presence is a great addition to the state’s economic landscape.”
Kel Landis CEO, RBC Centura Banks, Inc. Board Member, Golden LEAF
“Golden LEAF and Hatteras have found a compelling way to allow the market to help build a stronger economic base in North Carolina. Biotechnology is an important part of our future. The increased access to capital through the HBM relationship shows that North Carolina has arrived as a biotech power on the international stage.”
Dr. Leslie Alexandre President and CEO, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
“Today’s announcement is another milestone toward achieving the job- creation goals laid out in New Jobs Across North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Growing the Economy through Biotechnology. With its new North Carolina advisory office, HBM BioCapital will be ideally positioned to invest in some of our biotechnology companies and help them grow. HBM is a great addition to our strong venture capital community and will surely enhance North Carolina’s standing as the nation’s third leading state for biotechnology.”
Billy Clarke Chairman, Golden LEAF
“When we first announced our plan to invest in biotechnology, we wanted to leverage our dollars, provide ready access to later stage capital for North Carolina companies, and create an opportunity to achieve a strong return on investment. We are confident that the relationship with HBM and Hatteras will achieve our goals.”
Ken Lee General Partner, Hatteras BioCapital
“The Hatteras office will have a special focus on North Carolina and will serve as an express lane to this new source of capital for North Carolina firms.”
Dr. Andreas Wicki CEO, HBM Partners
“We see North Carolina as a ‘hot spot’ for biotechnology internationally. The investment in HBM BioCapital and the relationship with Hatteras BioCapital will allow us to take full advantage of the deal flow coming from North Carolina. North Carolina has a lot of talent, a lot of science.”
North Carolina Bioscience Organization
CONTACT: Sam Taylor, Executive Vice President of North CarolinaBioscience Organization, +1-919-788-8601, or staylor@ncbioscience.org