Portfolio companies collaborate against COVID-19

Mercia Asset Management PLC today announces that two of its direct portfolio companies, The Native Antigen Company Limited (“NAC”) and Oxford Genetics Limited (trading as “OXGENE”) have formed a new strategic partnership to scale up COVID-19 antigen production. Current COVID-19 tests use the polymerase chain reaction that detects the virus’s genome. Although an important first step, these

Portfolio company continues fight against COVID-19

Sense Accelerates Instrument-Free Molecular Diagnostic Test for COVID-19 Sense Biodetection Limited (Sense), which received investment from the Mercia EIS Funds, has today announced an accelerated programme to launch the world’s first instrument-free, point-of-care molecular diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Sense is partnering closely with Phillips-Medisize, a Molex company and leading

COVID-19: The digital opportunity

With the country in lockdown, how can sales teams seek out new leads – and is it even worth trying? Matt Comber, digital guru and Strategy Director at Volcanic, explains what businesses need to do now: Carry on prospecting – seeking out new opportunities is the most important thing we can do at times like this. While there

COVID-19: What does it all mean?

What does it all mean? These are the words being repeated in households across the nation – because at the moment , Great Britain remains in lock down with a significant number of its workforce working in home offices, dining rooms, sheds and bedrooms. In response, we invited Patrick Dunne to join us and our

Letter to Northern VCT Shareholders

COVID‐19 Update for Northern VCT Shareholders In these challenging times, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide Northern VCT shareholders with an update about how we are reacting to the evolving situation on your behalf. In response to the challenges posed by COVID‐19, our focus is on three priorities: ensuring the safety of our

Culture – do you really buy into it?

Culture – We all talk about it, but do we really buy into it?  Let us start with understanding some terms, because even as experienced NEDs, lots of phrases are used when we talk about culture and it all begins to get a little confusing.  According to Harvard Business Review. “Strategy and culture are among

Covid-19 Business Update

Today Mercia has provided an update via the Regulated New Service in relation to Covid-19 including a comment from CEO, Mark Payton. “Mercia was established with the knowledge that capital supply and market performance is cyclical in nature. Over more than a decade we have built a proactive, supportive ecosystem where we have invested in

New medical devices firm secures £650k NPIF investment

A new medical device supplier which aims to offer UK hospitals the latest innovations from around the world has secured a £650,000 investment fromNPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund North Yorkshire-based GI UK Medical specialises in gastroenterology products and will offer the NHS