NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[TheFollower]

Neil Woodford (NW) and Ondra Partners do have past relationships.
I believe you're correct on your statement.

If it stems from NW than that is huge because it would mean that NW set the future financing up. Well I did a little bit of research and NW also has a strong relationship with the London based ( with offices in NYC) M & A (Mergers & Acquisitions) Advisory Boutique in corporate financing, Ondra Partners too. So one can assume that NW knew that Ondra Partners would give MWBO the financing necessary to take them to the next level. Therefore this $30M quickie was safe and sound and of course smart by NW.
IMHO NWBO is in very good hands with NW and if you were confident before yesterday you should be high fiving tomorrow because this all means that financing will not be an issue and that is why NWBO is just sitting and waiting and not sweating it. This is as important as the wonderful science to come out of this company and nothing cans stand in its way! GO NWBO, gee I always wanted to say that;)

From the past:
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/oct/12/neil-woodford-invesco-perpetual-kingmaker

His style is usually to push for change from behind the scenes, but his frustration with BAE's romance with Airbus owner EADS exploded into the open on Monday when he pressed the equivalent of a nuclear button by going public with his opposition to the tie-up. To prove he was serious, he hired bankers from Ondra Partners – whose sharp line-up of partners include the former Amersham boss Sir William Castell. By Wednesday the bid was over, killed by German government opposition. Had it limped on, the opposition of a man controlling more than 13% of the shares would have been hard to overcome.


It is evidence of how Woodford, who summons FTSE 100 bosses to his Henley headquarters rather than travelling to the City, uses his power. To many, he is an example of what John Kay, commissioned by the government to encourage long-term investment, should look for in a fund manager, holding shares for 15 years rather than switching in and out in search of a quick buck.

http://thetally.efinancialnews.com/2014/01/250m-biotech-deal-stands-crowd/

It also extended lengthy relationships for the advisory specialist Ondra Partners. The firm is the retained advisor to Alkermes, with US-based partner Michael Baldock leading. It has previously advised Invesco, advising the investor on its stake BAE Systems amid the defence group’s proposed merger with EADS. Ondra also advised on the defence and eventual sale of the Irish biotechnology company Elan, which counted Invesco as one of its shareholders.

As it happens, Alkermes acquired Elan Drug Technologies in 2011, and several of the other big name shareholders in Elan are also invested in Alkermes.

Invesco Perpetual is itself undergoing a period of transition, with star manager Neil Woodford – a known backer of the biotech sector – set to depart in April. He will be replaced by colleague of 17 years Mark Barnett. Both Woodford and Barnett were involved in the transaction.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2010/08/10/uk-gdfsuez-intlpower-idUKTRE6790KW20100810

Leading International Power shareholder Neil Woodford, who holds an 11.2 percent stake through his Invesco Perpetual funds, said he backed the deal.

The companies said they had identified synergies of 165 million pounds per year, expected to be achieved by the sixth year following completion.

The deal is expected to complete at the end of 2010 or early 2011, subject to regulatory approval and consultation with employees, the companies said.

International Power is being advised by JP Morgan Cazenove, Morgan Stanley and Nomura, while GDF's advisers are Rothschild, Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, Ondra Partners and Blackstone.