# Syncona

Syncona is an Investment Trust based in London, United Kingdom.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Investment Trust
- **Headquarters:** London, United Kingdom
- **Region:** Europe
- **Address:** 2nd Floor 8 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3SR, United Kingdom
- **Founded:** 2012
- **Assets under management:** 1527 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** synconaltd.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/syncona

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Syncona Limited was established in 2012 by the Wellcome Trust as a dedicated vehicle for healthcare venture investments. The structure separates the listed investment company from its investment advisor, Syncona Investment Management Limited. Wellcome remains the largest shareholder. The firm deploys capital into venture and growth-stage biotechnology companies. It commits to direct ownership in platform companies developing gene and cell therapies. Confirmed holdings include Beacon Therapeutics at 78 percent ownership, Quell Therapeutics, Anaveon, and OMass Therapeutics. Positions span the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Syncona also maintains public equity exposure through holdings such as Autolus Therapeutics. The firm employs a compact team and operates from a single London office with a registered address in Guernsey. It sponsors industry events including BioEquity Europe 2024 and the BIA Summer Party 2024. In March 2026 Syncona hosted a Capital Markets Day to update investors on portfolio progress. The Syncona Foundation runs parallel philanthropic programs focused on cancer and neurological disease research. Syncona operates as a listed investment trust with permanent capital. This structure allows multi-year holding periods without fixed fund lifecycles. The model gives the firm flexibility to increase ownership in portfolio companies as they advance toward commercialization.

## Sectors

- Healthcare
- Biotechnology

## Offices

- Frances House, PO Box 273, Sir William Place, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3RD

## People

- Melanie Gee — Chair of the Board of Directors
- Chris Hollowood — Investment Advisor contact

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Syncona?

Chris Hollowood serves as the primary investment contact at Syncona Investment Management Limited. Melanie Gee chairs the board of the listed company. Decisions follow the long-term ownership mandate set at founding.

### How does Syncona source proprietary deal flow?

The firm draws on relationships within the UK life-sciences ecosystem and its membership in the BioIndustry Association. It frequently sponsors sector conferences to maintain visibility with academic founders and early-stage companies.

### Does Syncona participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The firm focuses exclusively on direct ownership of operating companies. It does not make commitments to external venture funds.

### What investment stages does Syncona typically target?

Syncona targets seed through expansion-stage opportunities in biotechnology. It retains flexibility to support companies through later clinical and commercial phases.

## Related profiles

- [Aalto University Endowment](https://altss.com/profile/aalto-university-endowment)
- [Montefiore Einstein](https://altss.com/profile/montefiore-einstein)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/syncona

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