International Biotechnology Trust (LSE:IBT) co-lead fund managers Ailsa Craig and Marek Poszepczynski tell Proactive's Stephen gunnion that the trust delivered NAV returns of 35.7% and share price gains of 39% in the six months to February — comfortably ahead of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index's near-30% return.

Five acquisitions completed during the period, with a further five since the interim end. Poszepczynski notes that around 40 portfolio companies have been acquired over the past five years as big pharma continues to rely on biotech for innovation. The sweetest spot for takeover activity, he says, is among companies approaching regulatory approval or commercial launch.

Craig is also more optimistic on the political backdrop: "It really does feel like these political headwinds are now behind us," she says, pointing to easing concerns around US drug pricing reform and improving sentiment across the sector.

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