Graphite Capital has agreed the sale of life sciences data and workflow platform Beacon to Corten Capital, in a deal that is expected to deliver of 4x cash return on the firm’s original investment in Hanson Wade in 2019.
Beacon, which provides decision-support tools used by pharmaceutical and biotech companies to guide research and development investment, was carved out of Hanson Wade. The platform is used by senior scientists across global life sciences organisations and serves more than 300 customers, including a significant share of the world’s largest pharmaceutical groups.
The business will transition fully into an independent information services provider following completion, expected by the end of June 2026.
Graphite is retaining control of the wider Hanson Wade business for further growth initiatives. Since its initial investment in 2019, Beacon’s recurring revenues have increased significantly, supported by expansion in datasets, commercial capabilities and integration of AI-assisted workflows under scientific oversight.
The platform has evolved from three datasets to sixteen under Graphite’s ownership, including expanded coverage in therapeutic areas such as oncology and neuroscience. Enhancements also included the rollout of API functionality and deeper integration of data services into customer workflows, reflecting growing demand for embedded analytics in drug development decision-making.
Management at Beacon highlighted the role of Graphite’s operational support in scaling the business globally and accelerating product development, while emphasising continued investment in data quality and scientific expertise as central to the platform’s value proposition.
