Former CIO of Neil Woodford client Acacia Research charged with insider trading

Alfred Tobia Jr and sister-in-law

Eve Maddock-Jones
clock • 2 min read

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged the former CIO of Acacia Research Alfred Tobia Jr with insider trading, along with his sister-in-law Elizabeth Lee.

Tobia joined Acacia's board in 2018 and took on the role of president and CIO in 2019, positions he held until September 2021. During this period, Acacia was the sole client of disgraced former fund manager Neil Woodford, who in February that year, was preparing to launch his new advisory firm, Woodford Capital Management Partners. Acacia is a listed US investor in early-stage life science and biotech companies, the type of stock Woodford had held in his former LF Woodford Equity Income fund at the time of its collapse. Acacia bought 19 of the stricken Income fund's early-stage bio...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Why the Kession ruling could reshape risk across financial promotion and AR structures

Why the Kession ruling could reshape risk across financial promotion and AR structures

‘Commercially, the implications are far-reaching’

Gareth Fatchett
clock 01 June 2026 • 5 min read
Advice firms report that around four in ten clients are vulnerable - MorganAsh

Advice firms report that around four in ten clients are vulnerable - MorganAsh

Data from the MorganAsh Resilience System

Jaskeet Briah
clock 28 May 2026 • 2 min read
Student loans present 'almost impossible' financial planning question

Student loans present 'almost impossible' financial planning question

To be a 'burden' for years to come, advisers say

Sophia Panayi
clock 28 May 2026 • 5 min read