Animal health company builder secures funding

Swiss based Stonehaven Incubate was formed in February 2018 by two former Novartis Animal Health top managers and is a dedicated, animal health group committed to creating new companies de novo from disruptive human technology. Stonehaven Incubate builds strategies for new, stand-alone animal health companies, finds experienced management teams and sources the required capital.

Stonehaven had already attracted Elanco as shareholder, one of the largest animal health companies in the world with revenues of more than $3 billion in 2020. Argenta joined the recent financing round. Jarne Elleholm, CEO of Stonehaven Incubate, said: “We are very pleased to have reached agreements with these strategic investors. As well as the financial equity investment, the addition of Argenta opens a strategic partnership and provides Stonehaven Incubate access to preferred services in consulting, manufacturing, pharmaceutical sciences and clinical development. This will help us maximise the potential of our maturing portfolio, as well as to launch new companies.”

Ben Russell, CEO of Argenta, said: “ We strongly believe in Stonehaven Incubate’s unique approach to new company creation and we are confident that our investment and collaboration will benefit the whole animal health ecosystem. We’re excited by the opportunities ahead as Stonehaven Incubate grows and expands its portfolio of businesses.”

Stonehaven Incubate’s existing portfolio comprises: Anizome, the developers of a world class animal microbiome platform; AniV8, a venture that will commercialise health monitor technology to improve companion animal health; Anifera, an innovator and leader in researching and developing solutions for adjunct therapy for antibiotics; and Touchlight Aquaculture which will utilize Touchlight Genetics’ innovative DNA-based Doggybone platform to develop new vaccine solutions, focused on providing solutions exclusively in the field of aquaculture. The start-ups are based in UK and the USA.

Stonehaven Incubate is also collaborating with Liechtenstein-based Lysando, which is developing and commercialising new treatments for dermal conditions in dogs.  Stonehaven Incubate also has a rich pipeline of new opportunities after cultivating relationships with multiple human health innovators over the past year.

Stonehaven Incubate was founded by George Gunn and Matthias Hofer. George retired from Novartis AG in 2015 where he had been Head Novartis Animal Health from 2004. He went on to be head of the Novartis Consumer Health Division and he was a member of the Executive Committee since 2008. Matthias Hofer led the global Aqua Health business at Novartis Animal Health between 2009 and 2013. He was later the Global Leader Emerging Business at Elanco and a member of Elanco’s global executive committee.