On October 16th, the Aescap Life Sciences fund gained 11,7% and the Genetics fund 12,5%.
This rise was driven by our holdings in ProQR Therapeutics (in both funds) and Wave Life Sciences (Genetics fund).
The increase in both companies was caused by data from a clinical trial for a Wave Life Sciences medicine. This product uses an RNA-editing technology patented by ProQR. ProQR itself is developing several medicines based on this technology, 10 of which are out-licensed to multinational Eli Lilly.
At close of trading yesterday:
– ProQR: +122% YTD +103%
– Wave: +74% YTD +195%
Prior to the news, ProQR made up 7% of both the Aescap Life Sciences Fund and the Genetics Fund. Wave was 2% of Aescap Genetics.
A number of other Genetics portfolio companies also made significant gains, including gene therapy company Uniqure (up 15%) and Rocket Pharmaceuticals (up 8%).
We are expecting important news from several portfolio companies later this year.