We found leading life science companies in partnership with world class academics by identifying exceptional science that can deliver dramatic efficacy for patients and around which we can build a company with a long-term opportunity to take products to market.
This approach means that when we make an initial investment, we generally set up the company and put in place the team, processes and infrastructure. Our strategy is to hold significant ownership positions in our companies and, importantly, work in partnership with them as they scale, actively driving business strategy. We typically have at least one Syncona representative on our companies’ boards.
This approach means that we are well positioned to make a difference as a responsible investor and partner for our portfolio companies. We aim to help our companies enhance their positive impacts, and particularly to set the right culture, values and processes to help the businesses to follow a sustainable path over the long term. We also encourage portfolio companies to share sustainability best practices.
We support our portfolio companies to establish guiding principles and policies for sustainability, and ask them to report to us on their progress in implementing and applying them. We actively engage with our portfolio companies to implement our Responsible Investment Policy. We are also committed to aligning our investment approach with global standards, and were happy to announce in October 2021 that we had become a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Syncona submitted its first questionnaire to the PRI in FY2023/4 and remains committed to reporting to the PRI on an annual basis. More information on the PRI can be found here, and the six Principles are set out below.
Principle 1
We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
Principle 2
We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
Principle 3
We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
Principle 4
We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
Principle 5
We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
Principle 6
We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
Syncona is committed to
A responsible investment process
Integrating sustainability issues into our investment and management processes, with the right culture, values and expectations for sustainability set at the beginning of the investment process.
Being a responsible partner for our portfolio companies
Supporting each portfolio company to establish appropriate governance and monitoring processes for their sustainability performance, to ensure the most relevant sustainability issues are taken into consideration at each stage throughout a company’s lifecycle.