GlaxoSmithKline announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Glaxo Group Limited (GSK) will receive a 25.4 per cent minority equity stake, representing a £1,250,000 investment, in Autifony Therapeutics Limited, a UK-based biotechnology start up created through a funding round of up to £10 million alongside investors Imperial Innovations and SV Life Sciences.

Under the terms of the agreement, Autifony will issue 850,000 A ordinary shares to GSK in exchange for a number of pre-candidate voltage-gated ion channel modulator compounds and associated patent applications and data for development in hearing loss, as well as 571,429 Series A preferred shares in recognition of £400,000 worth of development work funded by GSK on behalf of Autifony.

GSK will also be eligible to receive a further 550,000 A ordinary shares on achievement of a pre-determined milestone, at which time there will be a further investment by the existing consortium and GSK will then own 13.2% of Autifony on a fully diluted basis.

GSK one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.