Alternative asset management firm, JMP Group, has announced the $245 million close of its Harvest Intrexon Enterprise Fund. The fund was launched with the intent of being a dedicated investment vehicle to finance new ventures that integrate the synthetic biology technological developments of Intrexon Corporation for the creation of biology-based products to be used in the fields of agriculture, food, consumer products, healthcare, energy, chemicals, and the environment.

 

So far the fund has made two investments – the first in the startup, Thrive Agrobiotics Inc., which utilizes Interxon’s ActoBiotics® platform for the development of specialized proteins that improve feed efficiency and growth in piglets, and the second in Intrexon Energy Partners II, a joint venture that uses Intrexon’s proprietary gas-to-liquid platform to produce low-cost feedstock for manufacturing and natural gas production.

 

“This fund leverages our firm’s highly regarded life sciences expertise, our investment banking and asset management platforms, and our key investor relationships, said Craig R. Johnson, vice chairman of JMP Group and chairman of Harvest Capital Strategies in a recent press release. “We value this unique opportunity to make investments with a leader in synthetic biology, with the goal of creating new products that improve quality of life in a number of areas. We look forward to the months and years ahead.”