Dr Kevin Johnson Joins Index Ventures as a Partner in the Life Sciences Team

LONDON & GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Index Ventures today announced that Dr Kevin Johnson has formally expanded his relationship with the firm and has joined the team as a Partner in the Life Sciences team. Dr Johnson will focus specifically on seeking out new assets in the biologics area, which will enable Index Ventures to build companies based on the asset-centric model he and Index pioneered.

“The Partners of Index Ventures are delighted to welcome Kevin to the team. He has a stellar track record as an entrepreneur and CEO and his experience and knowledge in the sector will be a huge asset to our existing and future portfolio.”

Since 2004, Kevin has worked with the Index Ventures Life Sciences team as a venture advisor. In his new role as Partner, he will be based out of Index’s London office and will continue to work closely with Index Life Sciences team both in London and Geneva.

Announcing the appointment at this year’s Index Forum in Sardinia, Index Ventures Partner and co-founder Neil Rimer said: “The Partners of Index Ventures are delighted to welcome Kevin to the team. He has a stellar track record as an entrepreneur and CEO and his experience and knowledge in the sector will be a huge asset to our existing and future portfolio.”

Dr Johnson began his career in the biotech industry when he joined Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) soon after its formation in 1990, directing the Company's pioneering research in the field of monoclonal antibodies. In 1997 he was appointed to CAT’s Board, and held the posts of Research Director and Chief Technology Officer. Kevin led the development of CAT's leading platform technologies, and its application to the discovery of the world's largest portfolio of human antibody drugs, including the first such drug to reach the market, Humira™. He played key roles in the company's IPO, and in the negotiation of some of Europe's largest biotech alliances with US biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Index Ventures’ asset centric model has been proven through its success with portfolio company, PanGenetics. Dr Johnson was previously the CEO of PanGenetics, which sold its anti-NGF antibody, PG 110, to Abbott Laboratories in November 2009. The asset-centric model focuses on the identification, acquisition and development of a specific therapeutic asset, around which a company is created. The business model is comparatively lean and cost effective compared with traditional biotech companies. Other examples of companies based on the asset-centric models in the Index Ventures portfolio include Cyrenaic, Funxional Therapeutics and Normoxys.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Johnson said: “The Index Ventures team has a great reputation for cultivating ambitious entrepreneurs looking to build significant businesses that make a lasting impact in their markets. I’ve witnessed firsthand their commitment to entrepreneurs globally and their strong sense of where the pharma world is headed. I am delighted to be expanding my role with the firm.”

Kevin graduated in Molecular Biology from Edinburgh University and has a PhD in Pathology from Cambridge University.

About Index Ventures:

Index Ventures is a leading global venture capital firm active in technology venture investing since 1996. The firm is dedicated to helping top entrepreneurial teams in the Information Technology, Clean Technology and Life Science sectors build their companies into market defining global leaders. The firm has offices in Geneva, London and Jersey and focuses on investments from seed through growth stage companies. Past and present portfolio companies include Addex Pharma, Cellzome, Funxional Therapeutics, Genmab, Micromet, Molecular Partners and NormOxys, For more information, please visit www.indexventures.com