The Investment Exchange

Welcome to the latest edition of "The Investment Exchange," your premier source for mergers & acquisitions and investment insights. In this issue, we bring you the latest deals and opportunities plus introduce some of the podcasters, influencers and content creators that are shaping the investment landscape.  

Contents

1. Weekly Update

2. Current Investment Opportunities - Connexin Therapeutics Ltd

3. Current Property Deals with Paul Langshaw -

4. Alternative Investment World - Your OWN Health.

5. Expert Corner - Tom Sutcliffe from Excello Law

6. Events, Offers and Announcements - The D.A.I.L.Y Practice Quiz

Section 1 - Weekly Update

This weeks newsletter is coming to you from Texas where we’ve been delving deeper in the world of Mens Health and Fitness at an awesome summit.

Section 2 - Investment Opportunity: Connexin Therapeutics Ltd

Connexin Therapeutics Ltd, based in York, England, is dedicated to developing drugs that target connexins to prevent vision loss and blindness associated with various eye diseases, including glaucoma, retinopathies, and corneal diseases. These conditions represent significant healthcare challenges, with millions of patients affected in the UK and globally.

In the UK, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, affecting over 60 million patients worldwide. Despite the availability of several glaucoma drugs with global sales of approximately £7 billion annually, more than 20% of patients still experience significant vision loss due to the limitations of existing treatments. Similar issues exist in retinopathies and corneal diseases.

Dr. Stewart Bloomfield, a scientific co-founder of Connexin Therapeutics, has conducted extensive research on the role of connexins in these diseases. His work has revealed that connexins, specifically connexin 36 in glaucoma, connexin 45 in retinopathy, and connexin 43 in cornea, mediate cell death in the retina and optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Importantly, inhibiting these connexins can protect and preserve vision, and this can be achieved using small molecule drugs.

Preclinical animal data from Connexin Therapeutics indicates that their approach can preserve 50% or more of retinal tissue and the optic nerve, and it may even facilitate the recovery of vision by allowing retinal cells to reestablish connections.

The company's work has garnered significant interest from multinational pharmaceutical companies due to the aging population, substantial unmet medical needs, and favorable reimbursement policies. These factors make their drug candidates attractive for licensing opportunities. Connexin Therapeutics is poised to initiate licensing discussions with pharmaceutical companies as they develop novel connexin inhibitors.

For more information about Connexin Therapeutics Ltd and their groundbreaking efforts to prevent blindness, you can contact Dr. Paul Koshy at [email protected] or Carlos N. Velez, the CEO of Connexin Therapeutics, at +44 20 8638 8329 or [email protected].

Section 3 - Property Deals by Paul Langshaw:

This week, can investing in student rentals in the UK prove to be a lucrative long-term venture, offering both capital appreciation and substantial income?

The student property sector stands out as one of the most profitable and resilient segments within the UK real estate market. With a student population exceeding 2.5 million enrolled in higher education institutions nationwide, the demand for high-quality and affordable housing in close proximity to universities continues to soar.

Two distinct opportunities arise: Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) catering to students. PBSA comprises modern, fully-furnished apartments or studios specifically designed for students, featuring amenities such as en-suite bathrooms, communal kitchens, lounges, gyms, cinemas, and laundry facilities. On the other hand, HMOs involve traditional houses or flats converted into shared student accommodation, where each tenant has their own bedroom while sharing common spaces like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.

Investors can capitalize on both PBSA and HMOs to realize substantial rental income and capital growth within the student housing market. However, these options come with distinct features, advantages, and disadvantages, necessitating careful consideration before making an investment decision.

PBSA and HMOs present varying pros and cons for student property investment, and key factors should be assessed for comparison:

1. Rental Yield: This is the annual rental income as a percentage of the property value, indicating the investment's profitability. Typically, PBSA offers higher rental yields than HMOs, thanks to the premium rents they can command due to superior quality and amenities.

Considering these factors, PBSA may appear to be a more appealing option for student property investment compared to HMOs. However, this does not negate the potential value of HMOs, as they can still provide attractive returns and portfolio diversification, especially when located in favorable areas with desirable properties and tenant mixes. Ultimately, the decision between PBSA and HMOs hinges on individual preferences, goals, and budget constraints.

Best Locations for Student Property Investment in the UK:

1. Liverpool: With over 70,000 students, Liverpool faces a significant gap between demand and supply for student accommodation, as only 27% of students can access PBSA. The city offers some of the highest rental yields (8.3%) and capital growth (4.8%) in the UK. Additionally, Liverpool boasts a vibrant culture, rich history, and dynamic nightlife, along with various regeneration projects.

2. Manchester: As the second-largest city in the UK and the largest student city, Manchester accommodates over 100,000 students from five universities, including the prestigious University of Manchester. With only 24% of students having access to PBSA, the city presents high rental yields (7.6%) and capital growth (5.1%). Manchester is renowned for its global and cosmopolitan atmosphere, diverse economy, and innovation hubs.

3. Leeds: Ranking as the third-largest city in the UK and the fourth-largest student city, Leeds houses over 60,000 students. The city experiences high demand and low supply of student accommodation, with only 23% of students accessing PBSA. Leeds is characterized by a thriving, modern environment with a robust economy, diverse culture, and a focal point for development and regeneration.

For more information on attractive deals in both investment types, feel free to reach out.

For more info, get in touch with Paul at [email protected]

Section 4 - Alternative Investment (Your OWN Health)

Viewing health through the lens of conventional finance, consider how your well-being stacks up against traditional investment assets:

While the returns from investing in financial assets manifest as increased net worth over time, the "returns" from investing in your health materialise as enriched experiences, emotions, memories, relationships, and overall well-being. The former holds value, but the latter is truly invaluable. - Thomas Rutledge

In the financial realm, returns on investment (ROI) are quantifiable in percentages and monetary figures. In the realm of health investments, the "ROHI" (return on health investments) is measured in extended years of life (lifespan) and significantly increased years of healthy, disability-free life (healthspan). - Thomas Rutledge

Just as financial portfolios consist of stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash, your health "portfolio" comprises elements such as exercise routines, nutritional quality, sleep patterns, and stress management skills. Improving your health portfolio offers as many, if not more, strategies than enhancing your financial portfolio.

Unlike financial assets that can be bequeathed to heirs or charities after death, health assets must be utilised during our lifetimes. Even the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs did not presume they could carry their health into the afterlife.

While financial resources typically accumulate until later years, health resources often peak in early to mid-adulthood. Hence, it is crucial to consciously and regularly "spend" our ROHI on meaningful experiences instead of reserving it solely for retirement.

Though financial wealth and physical health in early life may result from fortunate parental and environmental circumstances, both can be leveraged or squandered based on personal habits.

The principles guiding return rates on financial and health investments align: commence investing early, consistently, and intelligently for optimal outcomes. Just as financial investments may benefit from skilled advisors, health investments can benefit from qualified trainers, coaches, physicians, teachers, and therapists.

Memento mori, non somnia ("die with memories, not dreams")

Investing in your own health surpasses all other life investments. No stock or retirement plan can rival health in providing the capacity to pursue dreams, live by your values, foster close relationships, and savour the essence of life. Even more valuable than a secure financial nest egg in retirement, prioritising health is the ultimate strategy for a life filled with cherished memories and boundless possibilities.

While the ideal time to begin investing in your health might have been years or even decades ago, take solace; the second-best time is today.

Section 5 - Expert Corner

Following last weeks inclusion of Doug Perry at Clayton & Brewil, I thought we’d shine a light on Tom Sutcliffe from Excello Law who has acted on our behalf for many of the last deals we have completed on

Section 6 - Events, Offers and Announcements

We have something different today in the form of a quiz. Daily practice is essential to live a life full of joy and purpose. Having the space to breath, be aware, move and set goals gives you an extraordinary quality of life. You may already have some practices in place - but is it enough? Are there gaps you aren't aware of? Are you confused as to whether you should meditate or just breath? 

We hope you find this edition of "The Investment Exchange" informative and valuable. Your feedback and suggestions are important to us, so please feel free to reach out to us with any comments or ideas for future editions.

Happy investing!

Ross Tomkins, Key Person of Influence @ The Investment Exchange

Note: This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor before making any investment decisions.