I can hardly believe its mid February already - 2005 hit the floor running with many exciting projects for existing and new clients. In the first month we have worked on M&As, M&A rumours, new product launches, new board appointments etc. Companies across the sector from biotech companies to laboratory suppliers seem to be starting the new year with a positive outlook and enthusiasm that, in 2005 we will turn the corner from the difficult days of 2003 and 2004. Even in Germany, where the end of 2004 saw some prominent companies go into receivership, 2005 has brought a new dawn with the IPO of Paion. I wish you all success in 2005 and if Northbank can help in any way to make this year a good one for you, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Sue Charles, CEO

Northbank's financial communications team completes first IPO project

Shares in Northbank’s client, Physiomics plc, a systems biology company, started trading on London’s Alternative Investment Market on December 20th 2004, under the code PYC. The team for the IPO work was led by Emma Palmer who joined Northbank as Associate Director in October with specific responsibility for growing its financial communications practice area.

Thanks to the efforts of the Physiomics management team, Northbank, HB Corporate and Grant Thornton Finance, the IPO raised £750,000 and capitalised the company at £4.6m. It was covered by a variety of titles ranging from the Financial Times, Investors Chronicle, Scrip and BioCentury to The Sun and The Daily Express.

Commenting on the IPO, Sue Charles, Northbank’s co-founder and CEO, said, “We are delighted to have advised on the IPO of Physiomics, a client with whom Northbank has worked for some time. We wish the company all the best in this new stage of its development.”
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Nature Publishing Group extends Product Focus collaboration with Northbank

Northbank Communications, a leading full service PR and marketing consultancy focused on science-based companies, has announced that it has extended its original one year partnership with the Nature Publishing Group (NPG) into 2005, to write advertorial and supply design for 25 two-page features that will appear in the Product Focus section, aimed at providing manufacturers and suppliers of scientific products and services with the opportunity to gain exposure for their product announcements and news. More …

Biotech outlook for 2005 – the ups and downs ahead
By Emma Palmer

2004 was a good year for fundraising in the European biotechnology sector, for both unlisted and listed companies. In terms of the outlook for 2005, the year has started well with a burst of consolidation activity and expectations of IPO transactions. However, big pharma’s annus horriblis last year may have far-reaching implications for the small cap sector in the year ahead. More ...

Sigma-Aldrich extends Northbank's PR support from Europe to Global

As a result of a successful European PR programme in 2004 for Sigma Aldrich (NASDAQ: SIAL.), the global leader in life science and high technology research products, has extended its contract with Northbank Communications to include global public relation counsel. Northbank’s market knowledge, specialised expertise across Sigma’s key sectors, established relationships with key European media, and creative and strategic approach to PR planning played a key role in the successful re-appointment. More...

BioCentury – Emerging Company Profiles

The Emerging Company Profiles appearing in BioCentury provide valuable third party endorsement for companies wishing to raise their profile or companies in the midst of funding rounds. Northbank has been working with BioCentury over the last few months to identify candidate companies and schedule interviews with a view towards generating Emerging Company Profiles. With a limit to the number of companies profiled in each issue, Northbank has already scheduled interviews that have resulted in profiles for four clients in the last half of 2004 including ScanCell, Prolysis, Sirenade and Isogenica. In the coming months there are plans for further interviews.

Bring back snail mail, all is forgiven …

The Internet is unavoidable in our everyday lives, it has shrunk the world and brought Paris Hilton to the masses. In no other period of time has the access to, and exchange of, information been so readily available. In business, it’s become an essential tool and has reshaped the way we communicate. 24/7, email links millions of people across the world with the click of a button. We constantly email our contacts, customers, suppliers and colleagues, even if they’re sat across the desk. So it’s little wonder that we get information overload, become bombarded with ‘special offers’ and have tendencies towards e-rage ...

It’s not surprising then that we’ve seen a flurry of hard-copy direct mail projects recently, including Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc, Solexa on behalf of Lynx Therapeutics Inc and Oxford Optronix Ltd. Well-executed, electronic direct mail works, but is it always the best method of meeting your objectives and getting those leads? More …

Northbank Communications supports BioCentral

BioCentral, an association of the Midlands’ leading universities and business organisations has been established to showcase the region’s emerging bioscience and medical companies and technologies to specialist investors.

BioCentral is running its first Investors Day on 28th April in Nottingham. Over four hours, a number of the most promising start-ups, each looking for £250k to £5m of venture capital funding, will present their unique, commercial opportunities. World-renowned academics will highlight key research, emphasising opportunities which are not only exciting but also attractive for investment. Investors will also have the chance to establish a network of key contacts within the Midlands life science and medical business community.

Northbank has created an identity and initial website for BioCentral and is now designing promotional materials. Additionally, we’re managing the PR and marketing for this inaugural event.
See www.biocentral.org