CoDa Therapeutics, Inc. is a New Zealand drug development company based in Auckland and San Diego (USA) focused on healing tissue injuries.  Their drug candidates are based on unique targets and mechanisms of action that have been demonstrated to dramatically improve healing in skin, eye and spinal cord following a single therapeutic application. Initial clinical trials are being managed by CoDa in New Zealand.

New Zealand King Salmon is the country’s largest salmon producer supplying both the domestic and export markets.  Based in Nelson and with hatcheries, farms and processing facilities across Marlborough and Canterbury, the company is highly integrated from brood stock management right through to distribution of product through its well-recognised consumer brands, Seasmoke, Regal and Southern Ocean.

In September 2008 Direct Capital invested alongside management to acquire a 45 per cent shareholding in New Zealand King Salmon.

The New Zealand King Salmon Company Limited was formed in 1996 with the privatisation and merger of New Zealand’s two largest salmon companies, Southern Ocean Seafood Limited and Regal Salmon Limited.  The Company is ultimately owned by the Tiong Group, one of the largest private companies in Malaysia with substantial global investments in forestry, property and the media.  New Zealand King Salmon is New Zealand’s largest integrated aquaculture company and the largest global farmer of the premium Chinook species of salmon.  Rich in Omega 3 and other nutrients, salmon is one of the fastest growing protein categories.  The company employs 415 staff and operates six sea-farm sites in Marlborough Sounds, two hatcheries in Waikoropupu Springs and Tentburn; and four processing factories in Nelson.

Anzamune is the New Zealand based subsidiary of CMP Therapeutics, a UK based company which has developed a novel treatment for regulating and stimulating the immune system. The lead product is in Phase II clinical trials for allergic disorders. Other pipeline products have shown through stimulation of the immune system to protect against viruses and bacteria.

EnCoate develops proprietary, cost effective, food-grade biopolymer technologies. These simple biopolymers have broad application in extending the shelf-life of food, pharmaceutical and agricultural products (such as probiotics) at ambient temperatures.

Rissington Breedline Ltd. is a leading company in sheep and cattle genetics, committed to delivering relevant genetic gain to clients and to implementing systems and business units that benefit the sheep and beef industries. Their lead client is UK based Marks & Spencer, which will sell Rissington's own branded, traceable lamb meat.

Horizon Science is an emerging technology company based in Melbourne, Australia, developing nutraceuticals from food by-products. Their initial focus is on sugar-cane and the presence therein of powerful natural chemicals affecting the absorption of food and its conversion into fat or muscle.

Vital Foods develops and sells 100% natural digestive aids that are clinically proven to keep you regular, while promoting long term intestinal health. Phloe, the lead product, is the first product to use a unique triple action complex of prebiotics, enzymes and fiber extracted from fresh kiwifruit by a patented process for relief from constipation.

Business
NZP manufactures specialty chemicals (largely pharmaceutical intermediates) for some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and also produces a range of ingredients used in dietary supplements.

NZP’s core competence is in the manufacture of natural biochemicals (primarily from animal by-products) under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions which ensures its products conform to pharmaceutical industry quality assurance standards. Almost all NZP’s revenues are achieved from export markets.

Strategy
Direct Capital acquired a shareholding of 51% with the remaining 49% continuing to be owned by the management and staff of NZP and strategic investor Shin Nippon Yakugyo, a Japanese specialty chemicals business.

Financing for Direct Capital’s acquisition included the capital expenditure funding required by NZP to build a new factory to manufacture glycotherapeutic intermediates (glycotherapeutics are a fast growing category of the global pharmaceuticals market and of increasing significance to NZP’s business). Construction commenced in 2006 on the site of the existing head office and manufacturing plant in Linton near Palmerston North.