Our dementia investment strategy
Addressing the societal burden of dementia by investing into the development of new treatments and care solutions
Dementia represents one of the most urgent and complex healthcare challenges of our time — impacting millions of individuals, families, and healthcare systems across the globe.
The firm belief that we need to bridge the critical funding gap in dementia research, led to the origination of the Dementia strategy in 2021. Combining the investment experience of EQT Life Sciences with the deep domain expertise of Professor Philip Scheltens, Head of EQT LS’s Dementia strategy and one of the world’s most respected dementia researchers, we have created an exceptional opportunity to impact this important medical area.
The Dementia team pursues a dual mission: to advance promising dementia science with the potential to bring meaningful therapies to patients, and to deliver strong returns for investors by focusing on differentiated, scientifically-sound opportunities.
Investment Approach
The Dementia team has a disciplined, high-conviction approach focused on backing products across the entire spectrum of neurodegeneration, early- to late-stage, with clearly-defined investment criteria.
It is all supported by a strong deal flow and an extensive network of academic institutions and industry experts. The team typically takes a leading role in investment syndicates and a board seat post-investment, providing active strategic and clinical guidance to position companies for success.
Impact: Dementia is one of the greatest healthcare challenges of our time
The number of people living with dementia is expected to triple, increasing from 50 million diagnosed patients to more than 150 million by 2050.
This will create an unsustainable burden on our healthcare systems, with the projected global cost to increase to $2.8 billion in 2030.
Since 2021, EQT’s dementia-focused initiatives have supported the development of multiple programs, targeting various diseases and advancing clinical trials in several countries to help address the global challenge of dementia. To demonstrate the real-life impact; within our current portfolio we have >30 programs under development targeting >10 different diseases. >15 clinical studies have been initiated and > 7,000 patients have been treated globally.
Featured Companies within
Dementia
AviadoBio
AviadoBio’s is developing transformative gene therapies for people living with neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
With their deep understanding of the brain and suite of proprietary gene therapy platforms and delivery technologies, AviadoBio is working relentlessly to overcome the challenges of delivering the right drug to the right place. Its innovative, neuroanatomy-led approach is designed to maximize the therapeutic potential of gene therapy to halt or potentially reverse neurodegenerative diseases.
AviadoBio was founded on pioneering research from King’s College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute and has a leadership team with extensive gene therapy development, delivery and commercialization experience which positions the company for success in bringing transformative medicines to patients.
Sector
Healthcare
Country
United Kingdom
Fund
LSP Dementia Fund
Entry
2021
Website
Muna Therapeutics
Muna Therapeutics is developing small molecule therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. They are pioneering a new era of drug discovery by focusing on enhancing resilience to the effects of misfolded protein pathology to protect brain functions like cognition. Muna’s all-in-human discovery engine identifies new therapeutic targets that can enhance the brain’s innate protective mechanisms. Muna—which means ‘to remember’ in Old Norse—is developing a portfolio of therapeutics to slow or stop devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Sector
Life Sciences
Country
Denmark
Fund
LSP Dementia Fund
Entry
2021
Website
New Amsterdam Pharma
NewAmsterdam Pharma (Nasdaq: NAMS) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to improve patient care in populations with metabolic diseases where currently approved therapies have not been adequate or well-tolerated.
NewAmsterdam Pharma seeks to fill a significant unmet need for a safe, well-tolerated and convenient LDL-lowering therapy. In multiple phase 3 studies, NewAmsterdam is investigating obicetrapib, an oral, low-dose and once-daily CETP inhibitor in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, for whom existing therapies are not sufficiently effective or well-tolerated. Obicetrapib is also being investigated as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Sector
Life Sciences
Country
Netherlands
Fund
LSP Dementia Fund
Entry
2021
Website
Nobi
Nobi is a smart-care solution that looks like a familiar ceiling light, but it is purpose-built for redefining elderly care. The system integrates two-way communication and AI-powered ambient sensors into the lighting fixture. The smart lamp detects every fall in real time, instantaneously alerts caregivers and allows developing deep insights into fall patterns. As a result, help is provided within minutes, long lies on the floor (a major cause of hospitalisations) are eliminated and more than 50% of falls can be prevented1).
Nobi also empowers care-home operators with actionable insights way beyond fall detection. The goal is to enable a shift to proactive more personalised care and allowing care providers to spend more valuable time with the elderly. Nobi's key markets are the US and the UK, but the product is also available in several EU countries, Singapore and Australia.
Sector
Life Sciences
Country
Belgium
Fund
LSP HEF 2, LSP Dementia Fund
Entry
2022
Website
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