International Biotechnology Trust plc specializes in investments in development stage and late stage companies. The majority of the fund's assets are generally invested in smaller and mid-capitalization quoted companies, with a minority in larger capitalization quoted companies. It makes long only investments. It prefers to invest in quoted or unquoted biotechnology and life sciences companies focused on drug discovery and development and in related sectors such as microbiology, life sciences, pharmaceutical research and development, gene research and development, medical devices or healthcare services. The fund seeks to invest in companies engaged in development and/or commercialization of a product, device or enabling technology and also invests in the therapeutic sub-sector. The fund also prefers to invest in companies with strong growth potential from the development and/or commercialization of either a biotechnology drug candidate, medical device or other enabling technology for medical research. It may also invest in specialty pharmaceuticals and life science tools. These companies can range from small private companies with strong science and people that need development funding, to large, multi-billion dollar biotechnology and medical device companies which have portfolios of products, many of which are already used in hospitals, clinics and pharmacies around the world. It makes majority of its investments in smaller and mid-capitalization quoted companies and seeks to invest up to thirty percent of the Company's assets in unquoted companies, while allowing an exposure of up to forty percent in unquoted companies (at the time of investment and after allowing for valuation write-ups and further follow-on investments). The fund typically invests in the United States, but seeks the best investments worldwide and so may also invest in Western Europe, Australia, and Asia. It typically invests between $1 million and $4 million in its portfolio companies. It exits its unquoted investments through the sale of these companies to strategic buyers including major pharmaceutical companies or, in some cases, and through a flotation.