Optima launches healthcare/biotech strategy

Multi-manager specialist Optima Asset Management has launched the Optima Healthcare and Biotechnology strategy, in association with the Forbes Family Trust.

The launch comes at a time when biotech-oriented hedge funds have performed strongly in the long/short equity space.

The new strategy will be managed by five portfolio managers with extensive experience investing in healthcare and biotech stocks. As a group these portfolio managers have generated returns greater than the S&P 500 broadly over the last decade, according to an Optima release.

“U.S. healthcare generally, and the biotech and therapeutics sub-sectors in particular, are among the most dynamic and innovative segments of the U.S. and global economies,” said D. Dixon Boardman, CEO of Optima Asset Management and vice-chairman of the Forbes Family Trust.

He added that the growth of the sector is exception even as valuations are still reasonable for many stocks. Optima’s research and due diligence has led them to identify managers whose knowledge of the sector has allowed them to add significant value.

Although several of the managers they are investing with are closed to new investors, Optima was able to gain capacity with them.