Responsible investment

Building enduring value
with intent.

Responsible investment considerations form part of how we assess opportunities, govern companies and support long-term development.

Developing new medicines demands scientific integrity, strong governance and a clear understanding of the impact companies can have on patients, people and society.

We integrate relevant environmental, social and governance considerations into investment assessment and portfolio engagement, proportionate to the stage and circumstances of each company.

Our Responsible Finance Policy formalises this commitment. It is designed to help identify risks and opportunities that may influence long-term value, guide engagement with portfolio companies and support responsible growth across the investment lifecycle.

Claris draws on internationally recognised frameworks, including the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment. Claris Biotech II is classified as an Article 8 financial product under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

Policy in practice

Three dimensions of responsible investment.

Our policy translates environmental, social and governance considerations into practical expectations for Claris and the companies we support.

E

Environmental

Encouraging efficient use of natural resources, renewable energy, responsible waste management and circular-economy practices where material to the business.

S

Social

Supporting human and labour rights, safe and inclusive workplaces, scientific collaboration and the development of therapies addressing high unmet medical needs.

G

Governance

Promoting ethical conduct, regulatory compliance, transparent decision-making and appropriate oversight at both Claris and portfolio-company level.

Investment lifecycle

Integrated from assessment to reporting.

Responsibility is embedded in the investment process rather than treated as a separate exercise.

01

Screening

We apply the exclusions set out in our policy and fund documentation before progressing an opportunity.

02

Due diligence

Material ESG risks and opportunities are assessed alongside scientific, financial and operational considerations.

03

Ownership

Relevant improvement actions and ESG objectives are agreed with portfolio-company management and monitored over time.

04

Monitoring

Selected indicators are reviewed periodically and portfolio-level progress is included in annual ESG reporting to investors.

ESG governance

A dedicated ESG Committee supports sustainability-related decisions, monitors ESG KPIs and key risks, and evaluates updates to the action plan.

Claris Biotech II

Promoting environmental and social characteristics.

As an Article 8 SFDR fund, Claris Biotech II monitors a defined set of objectives and indicators across its portfolio.

Environmental

Sustainable practices

Adoption of responsible environmental practices by portfolio companies and their suppliers.

Social

Science, patients and people

Unmet medical needs, research collaborations, innovation and IP, employment, health and safety, diversity and inclusion.

Governance

Responsible company building

Ethical codes, clinical-trial standards, anti-bribery controls, regulatory compliance and gender equality.

SFDR disclosures

Our regulatory position.

Claris Ventures SGR S.p.A.

SFDR disclosures

Responsibility

Claris Ventures views environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) factors as important for making sound investment decisions. Long considered as part of its activities, Claris Ventures has formalised its commitment to high standards in its own ESG Policy. The policy sets out the significance of ESG factors in relation to its investors, portfolio companies, employees and other stakeholders.

As an investor, Claris Ventures aims to grow and improve performance as well as minimise risk in areas relevant to the long-term sustainability of each business in its investment portfolio.

Claris Ventures acknowledges the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment. The Principles for Responsible Investment provide a voluntary framework to managers for incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues into their mainstream investment decision-making and ownership practices.

Claris Ventures takes an active role in improving ESG awareness, performance and compliance in each portfolio company. At Claris Ventures a mandatory ESG assessment is undertaken during due diligence by the deal team members for each prospective investment: such due diligence activity’s aim is to identify any sustainability risk and to understand how such risks can be assessed and mitigated.

In addition, a risks and opportunity assessment is conducted and the relevant next steps are agreed with the management teams of each investee company.

Sustainable Risk Finance Disclosure Regulation (2019/2088) (the “Disclosure Regulation”)

Claris Ventures makes the following disclosures in accordance with Articles 3(1) and 4(1)(b).

A more precise and detailed consideration of sustainability risks in accordance with the law and the consequent updating of the policy and other related operational processes will be progressively implemented by the SGR starting from the moment in which the regulatory framework is completed and the current interpretative doubts clarified.

Approach to sustainability risk

A sustainability risk means “an environmental, social or governance event or condition that, if it occurs, could cause an actual or potential material negative impact on the value of the investment”. Sustainability risks are risks which, if they were to crystallise, would cause a material negative impact on the value of the portfolios of the funds managed by Claris Ventures.

Before any investment decision is made on behalf of any managed funds, Claris Ventures identifies the material risks associated with each proposed investment, including sustainability risks (supplemental due diligence may also be conducted by an external professional firm when deemed necessary). Claris Ventures considers such risks as part of its fund risk management process having regard to the fund’s investment policy and objective.

Consideration of sustainability adverse impacts

Article 4 of the SFDR Regulation requires fund managers to expressly declare whether or not they take into account the “main negative effects”. Although the ESG issue and the risk of sustainability are central and are seriously considered by Claris Ventures, Claris Ventures does not consider the negative effects of investment decisions on sustainability factors in the manner prescribed in Article 4 of the SFDR Regulation. This is the current position, which Claris Ventures will be monitoring.

The reason for this decision derives, at present, from the difficulty of obtaining access to sources and objective data through which it is possible to carry out a realistic assessment of the potential negative impacts of one’s investment activity. If Claris Ventures, also in light of the definitive publication of the technical standards, should modify its choices on the subject, this information will be updated accordingly.

Claris Biotech II Fund

The disclosures pursuant to Articles 3, 4 and 10 of the SFDR are available in the document library below.

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