Fund Information / Factsheet • Jul 21, 2014
Fund Information / Factsheet
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National Storage Mechanism | Additional information
PR Newswire
London, July 21
NEWS RELEASE21 July 2014The Biotech Growth Trust PLC The European Union Alternative Investment Fund Managers DirectiveAppointment of Alternative Investment Fund Manager and DepositaryThe Biotech Growth Trust PLC (the "Company) announces that with effect from 22July 2014 the Company will enter into arrangements necessary to ensurecompliance with the European Union Alternative Investment Fund ManagersDirective (the "Directive").The Company has appointed Frostrow Capital LLP (the "Manager") as itsalternative investment fund manager ("AIFM") on the terms and subject to theconditions of a new management agreement between the Company and the Manager(the "Management Agreement").The existing management agreement between the Company and the Manager dated 5April 2007 (the "Original Management Agreement") has been terminated.In addition, the Company has entered into a portfolio management agreement (the"Portfolio Management Agreement") with the Manager and OrbiMed Capital LLC (the"Portfolio Manager"), pursuant to which the Manager has delegated portfoliomanagement of the Company's assets to the Portfolio Manager. The investmentmanagement agreement between the Company and the Portfolio Manager dated 26April 2006 (the "Investment Management Agreement") has been terminated.The Company has appointed J.P. Morgan Europe Limited (the "Depositary") to actas the Company's depositary for the purposes of the Directive pursuant to adepositary agreement between the Company, the Manager and the Depositary (the"Depositary Agreement").The custody agreement between the Company and Goldman, Sachs & Co. has beenterminated.The Company has also entered into a delegation agreement (the "DelegationAgreement") with the Prime Broker, the Manager and the Depositary, pursuant towhich the Depositary has delegated the safe-keeping of certain of the Company'sassets to J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp (the "Prime Broker").The Company has also appointed J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp. (the "Prime Broker")and certain other J.P. Morgan entities to provide the Company with execution,clearing, settlement, custody, financing and other services pursuant to aninstitutional account agreement between the Company, the Prime Broker and othermembers of the JPMorgan group (the "Institutional Account Agreement").Each of the Management Agreement, the Portfolio Management Agreement, theDepositary Agreement and the Delegation Agreement shall enter into effect on 22July 2014.Further details of the agreements follow.Management AgreementThe Management Agreement is based on the Original Management Agreement and onlydiffers to the extent necessary to ensure that the relationship between theCompany and the Manager is compliant with the requirements of the Directive.Under the Management Agreement, the Manager has agreed to, either itself orthrough delegates, provide all of the usual and necessary services of a managerof an investment trust company, including such risk management, portfoliomanagement, accounting, administrative, consultancy, advisory, companysecretarial and general management services as are necessary for this purposeand to advise the Company generally in relation to trends in the investmenttrust sector, and such other corporate, financial, legal, regulatory,accounting and other issues as are likely to affect the policies or strategiesof the Company.The Company will pay the Manager a fixed fee (plus VAT if applicable) of £60,000 per annum accruing daily and payable quarterly in arrears on eachCalculation Date (as defined in the Management Agreement), plus a periodic feeat the rate of 0.30% per annum of Market Capitalisation (as defined in theManagement Agreement) payable quarterly.The Manager's liability to the Company under the Management Agreement islimited in certain respects, including in respect of any loss, claim, costs,charges and expenses, liabilities or damages arising out of the acts oromissions of any investment manager or investment adviser to whom it hasdelegated its portfolio management function. However, in all cases, alllimitations of liability of the Manager to the Company are subject to theapplicable rules of the Directive.The Management Agreement contains provisions under which the Company willindemnify the Manager against liability in the absence of negligence, wilfuldefault, fraud or breach of contract.Either party may terminate the Management Agreement by giving to the other notless than 12 months' written notice (or such shorter period of written noticeas the other party may accept). It may also be terminated with immediate effectby either party in specified circumstances.Portfolio Management AgreementThe Portfolio Management Agreement is based on the Investment ManagementAgreement and only differs to the extent necessary to ensure that therelationship between the Company, the Portfolio Manager and the Manager iscompliant with the requirements of the Directive.The fees payable by the Company to the Portfolio Manager for its services underthe Portfolio Management Agreement remain the same as under the InvestmentManagement Agreement.The liability provisions in the Portfolio Management Agreement are broadly thesame as those in the Investment Management Agreement, but the Company will nowindemnify the Portfolio Manager for any losses incurred as a result of theManager's actions.Either party may terminate the Portfolio Management Agreement by giving to theother not less than 12 months' written notice (or such shorter period ofwritten notice as the other party may accept). It may also be terminated withimmediate effect by the parties in specified circumstances.Depositary AgreementThe Company will pay the Depositary for its services such amounts as may beagreed between the Depositary and the Company, together with the Depositary'sreasonable and properly incurred out of pocket or incidental expenses, costs orcharges. Except for fees of sub-custodians within the Depositary's regularsub-custody network, which will be borne by the Depositary, any sub-custodianfees or fees charged by any other sub-custodian, which will be at normalcommercial rates, will also be recouped from the Company. The Depositary ispermitted to deduct any monies owed to it from the Company's cash accounts.The Depositary will be liable to the Company and its shareholders for any losssuffered by them arising from the negligent or intentional failure to performits obligations pursuant to the Depositary Agreement or applicable law.The Company will indemnify the Depositary against any liabilities imposed on itin connection with the Depositary's appointment or the performance of itsobligations under the Depositary Agreement, other than as a result of theDepositary's fraud, negligence or wilful misconduct.The Depositary Agreement is terminable by any party on six months' writtennotice and (unless the Company has been wound up) will not terminate until areplacement depositary is appointed. It may also be terminated immediately inspecified circumstances.Delegation AgreementThe Delegation Agreement transfers the Depositary's liability under Article 21(12) of the Directive for the loss of the Company's financial instruments heldin custody by the Prime Broker to the Prime Broker in accordance with Article21(13) of the Directive. While the Depositary Agreement prohibits the re-use ofthe Company's assets by the Depositary or the Prime Broker without the priorconsent of the Company or the Manager acting on behalf of the Company, theCompany has consented to the transfer and reuse of its assets by the PrimeBroker in accordance with the terms of the Institutional Account Agreement byentering into the Institutional Account Agreement.The Prime Broker must exercise due care and diligence in the performance of itsservices under the Delegation Agreement and will be liable to the Depositary,the Company, or the Manager acting on behalf of the Company, for any directloss arising from the Prime Broker's negligence, fraud, or wilful default inthe performance of those duties or from its intentional failure to perform themor for its breach of the terms of the Delegation Agreement.The Delegation Agreement is terminable by the Depositary on thirty days' noticeto the other parties, or immediately in specified circumstances.Institutional Account AgreementUnder the terms of the Institutional Account Agreement, the Prime Broker and/orother members of the JPMorgan group (together, "JPMorgan") may provide theCompany with execution, clearing, settlement, custody, financing and otherservices. As security for the Company's obligations to JPMorgan, the Companymay be required to transfer margin to JPMorgan.Upon the occurrence of certain events of default with respect to the Company,as specified in the Institutional Account Agreement, JPMorgan may, inter alia,accelerate, cancel, terminate or liquidate or otherwise close out theInstitutional Account Agreement or any transaction thereunder and retain anymargin, set-off or recoup any obligation of JPMorgan to the Company against anyobligation of the Company to JPMorgan and sell or otherwise liquidate any ofthe Company's margin which it holds.Under the terms of the Institutional Account Agreement, the Prime Broker isauthorised to borrow, lend or otherwise use all cash and any security carriedby the Prime Broker in the Company's accounts for a greater sum than, and forperiod longer than, the Company's obligations to the Prime Broker and the PrimeBroker will have no obligation to maintain a like amount of similar property inpossession or control. In the event of the Prime Broker's insolvency, theCompany may be unable to recover such assets in full.JPMorgan will charge fees for the services provided under the InstitutionalAccount Agreement at its then-prevailing rates and may change such rates uponprior written notice.The Company has agreed to indemnify JPMorgan for its losses, claims, damages,liabilities, obligations, penalties, taxes, judgements, awards and costs otherthan in the event of JPMorgan's wilful misfeasance, bad faith or grossnegligence. JPMorgan will have no liability to the Company under theInstitutional Account Agreement save in the event of its wilful misfeasance,bad faith or gross negligence.Any party may terminate the Institutional Account Agreement on 30 days' priorwritten notice to the others.Certain Information required to be disclosed under the FCA's Investment FundSourcebook ("FUND")In accordance with the requirements of the Directive, the Manager is requiredto make available to potential investors the following information, which isannounced by the Directors of the Company on behalf of the Manager: FUND 3.2.2R Information Information Item2 Procedures by which the In accordance with Listing Rule 15.4.8, theAIF may change its Company must obtain the prior approval of itsinvestment strategy or shareholders to any material change to itsinvestment policy, or both. investment policy. Under Listing Rule 15.4.9, in considering what is a material change to the published investment policy, the Company should have regard to the cumulative effect of all the changes since its shareholders last had the opportunity to vote on the investment policy or, if they have never voted, since the admission to listing. All non-material changes will be made by approval of the Board.3 Main legal implications Legal Implicationsof the contractualrelationship entered into Upon an investor becoming a shareholder, thefor the purpose of shareholder will be bound by the terms of theinvestment. memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the "Articles) which take effect as a contract between the shareholders and the Company. Shareholders will have the rights and obligations set out in the Articles of the Company and the U.K. Companies Act 2006. The Articles are subject to the laws of England and Wales and may be amended by a special resolution of holders of the Company's shares as provided for under the Articles. The Company is incorporated as a public company with limited liability in England and Wales and the Company and all or substantially all of its directors and officers are expected to be located in the U.K. Certain judgments obtained in EU member states (or Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) can be enforced in England and Wales under the Brussels Regulation or the 2007 Lugano Convention and certain judgements in a country to which any of the Administration of Justice Act 1920, the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933 or the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 applies can also be enforced in England and Wales by making an application to the High Court for an order for registration of the judgment for enforcement. The Court may decline to recognise the judgments in limited circumstances. It may be possible to enforce a judgment in a country to which none of the above regimes apply if it is: (1) final and conclusive on the merits; (2) given by a court regarded by English law as competent to do so; and (3) for a fixed sum of money. Investors' rights against service providers The Company is reliant on the performance of services provided by certain third party service providers, including the Manager, the Portfolio Manager, the Prime Broker, the Depositary, sponsors and corporate stockbrokers, legal advisors, registrars and the auditor (the "Service Providers"). No shareholder, in their capacity as such, will generally have any direct contractual claim against any Service Provider with respect to such Service Provider's default of any of their duties towards the Company.5 How AIFM complies with The Manager intends to cover potentialthe requirements relating professional liability risks resulting from itsto professional liability activities as AIFM by holding professionalrisk. indemnity insurance against liability arising from professional negligence which is appropriate to the risks covered, in accordance with the Directive and all applicable rules and regulations implementing the Directive in the UK (the "AIFM Rules").6(a) AIFM management The Manager has delegated portfolio managementfunctions delegated by the of the Company's assets to the PortfolioAIFM. Manager pursuant to the Portfolio Management Agreement.6(b) Any safe-keeping The Depositary has delegated safe-keeping offunction delegated by the certain of the Company's assets to the Primedepositary Broker pursuant to the Delegation Agreement.6(c) The identity of each The Portfolio Manager is OrbiMed Capital LLC.delegate The Prime Broker is J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.6(d) Any conflicts of The Company does not consider that anyinterest that may arise conflicts of interest arise between the Managerfrom such delegations and the Portfolio Manager. The Company does not consider that any conflicts of interest arise between the Depositary and the Prime Broker.8 A description of the The Manager maintains a liquidity managementAIF's liquidity risk policy to monitor the liquidity risk of themanagement, including the Company. The Company's shareholders have noredemption rights of right to redeem their shares from the Companyinvestors but may trade shares on the secondary market. However, there is no guarantee that there will be a liquid market in the shares.10 Fair treatment of The Manager has established procedures,investors arrangements and policies to ensure compliance with the principles more particularly described in the AIFM Rules relating to the fair treatment of investors. The principles of treating investors fairly include, but are not limited to: (a) acting in the best interests of the Company and of its shareholders; (b) ensuring that the investment decisions taken for the account of the Company are executed in accordance with the Company's investment policy and objective and risk profile; (c) ensuring that the interests of any group of shareholders are not placed above the interests of any other group of shareholders; (d) ensuring that fair, correct and transparent pricing models and valuation systems are used for the Company; (e) preventing undue costs being charged to the Company and its shareholders; (f) taking all reasonable steps to avoid conflicts of interests and, when they cannot be avoided, identifying, managing, monitoring and, where applicable, disclosing those conflicts of interest to prevent them from adversely affecting the interests of shareholders; and (g) recognising and dealing with complaints fairly.14 Availability of the The Company's latest annual report can be foundlatest annual report. on the Company's website at the following address: www.biotechgt.com16 Identity of prime Please see above under "Institutional Accountbrokers, description of Agreement".material arrangements withprime brokers andmanagement of conflicts,transfer and reuse of AIFassets and any transfer ofliability.17 Availability of periodic In accordance with the AIFM Rules, the Managerand regular information intends to publish the following information inrequired under FUND 3.2.5R relation to the Company's portfolio in itsand FUND 3.2.6R. annual report and audited accounts, which can be found on the Company's website - www.biotechgt.com: (a) the percentage of the Company's assets that are subject to special arrangements arising from their illiquid nature; (b) any new arrangements for managing the liquidity of the Company; (c) the current risk profile of the Company and the risk management systems employed by the Manager to manage those risks; and (d) the total amount of leverage employed by the Company. Any changes to the following information will be provided by the Manager to investors without undue delay: (a) the maximum level of leverage which the Manager may employ on behalf of the Company; and (b) the right of re-use of collateral or any changes to any guarantee granted under any leveraging arrangement.For further information please contact:Victoria HaleFrostrow Capital LLP, Company SecretaryTelephone: 020 3170 8732
20472643.2.EU_BUSINESS

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