e-fundresearch.com: Mr. Rudi Van den Eynde, you are the fund manager of the Dexia Equity L Biotechnology (ISIN LU0133360163) fund.When did you take over the responsibility of managing this fund?
Rudi Van den Eynde: Since the launch in April 2000
Hinweis: Rudi Van den Eyndes Dexia Equity L Biotechnology Fonds konnte in der kürzlich durchgeführten "Die besten Pharma und Biotechnologie Aktienfonds"-Analyse den dritten Platz belegen.
e-fundresearch.com: What is the current size of the fund?
Rudi Van den Eynde: 492 million USD (end of June 2013)
e-fundresearch.com: Do you also manage other funds or mandates?
Rudi Van den Eynde: Dexia Equity B Pharma Plus
e-fundresearch.com: What is the total amount of assets you manage currently?
Rudi Van den Eynde: 672 million USD
e-fundresearch.com: How long have you been in the business as a fund manager?
Rudi Van den Eynde: 15 years, since 1998
e-fundresearch.com: What are the main steps in your investment process and in which area is your competitive edge to add value to investors?
Rudi Van den Eynde: The analysis of available clinical data on investigational new drugs and medical technologies, the assessment of their sales potential which then is the basis of our valuation work. Long experience, disciplined investment process and risk control are the competitive edges. Dexia Asset Management judges the quality of the fund management over longer periods giving the PM the time to realize his bets and convictions.
e-fundresearch.com: Which benchmark is most relevant and how should investors compare the fund vs. benchmarks or peer groups?
Rudi Van den Eynde: We advise extreme caution when comparing to benchmarks in the world of biotechnology especially from a risk perspective. Comparisons should be over longer timeframes only. Drug development is a lengthy process. The most relevant benchmark is the NASDAQ Biotech Index NBI. We at Dexia Asset management put a strong emphasis on peer group comparisons (Morningstar rankings).
e-fundresearch.com: Which performance did you achieve for the fund YTD and over the past five calendar years in absolute terms and relative to relevant benchmark or other reference indices?
Rudi Van den Eynde:
e-fundresearch.com: What motivates you in your job?
Rudi Van den Eynde: Being in contact with motivated people that are amongst the best researchers and drug/company developers in the world. Being able to spot meaningful medical innovation and help funding those early stage companies that one day will make a difference for the patient.
e-fundresearch.com: Which other profession would you have considered apart from becoming a fund manager?
Rudi Van den Eynde: Archaeologist.
e-fundresearch.com: Many Thanks!