Industrifonden is investing SEK 35 million in the Norwegian company, Smartfish, which develops Omega 3 drinks within the field of clinical nutrition. The current owner, Investinor and private investors are also participating in the new issue valued at approximately SEK 80 million. The money will primarily be used for clinical trials and future international expansion. Smartfish develops prescription-based Omega 3-enriched drinks in the form of fruit juice for, e.g. cancer patients, who often develop cachexia, i.e. emaciation caused by significant, long-term malnourishment. At the same time, a new product for Alzheimer patients is being developed. The company holds a patented method which makes it possible to introduce high doses of Omega 3 fatty acid into the juice without affecting its taste.
Smartfish is headquartered in Oslo, although production occurs in Sweden. The company has recently been awarded a procurement contract pertaining to clinical nutrition in Skåne, which will be launched in Sweden this autumn. As a result of the capital infusion, an R&D centre will be established in Stockholm.
The investment in Starfish is the first stage of a recently commenced life science co-operation between Industrifonden and the Norwegian investment enterprise, Investinor. The aim is to give attractive life science companies access to international capital.
Vinge’s team consisted of partner Johan Larsson and associate Alexandra Kempe.
