Centessa was formed in October 2020 by Medicxi with a view to ultimately acquiring, and thereby becoming the holding company of, several pre-revenue, development stage biotech companies each of which was either controlled by and/or invested in by a fund affiliated with Medicxi or Index Ventures. On Jan. 29, 2021, Centessa acquired 11 biotechnology companies and simultaneously closed a Series A funding round of $250 million. Prior to the acquisition, Centessa’s activities were limited mainly to engaging advisors and recruitment efforts. Centessa commenced active operations after the consummation of the acquisitions. Each of the Centessa Subsidiaries was a portfolio company of a fund affiliated with Medicxi or Index Ventures at the time of the acquisition.

(Note: Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc upsized its IPO at pricing on May 27, 2021, to 16.5 million American Depositary Shares (ADS), up from 15 million ADS in the prospectus, at $20 – the top of its $18-to-$20 range – to raise $330 million.)