UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
| Investment Company Act file number: |
|
811-06565 |
| |
|
|
| Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: |
|
abrdn Life Sciences Investors |
| |
|
|
| Address of principal executive offices: |
|
1900 Market Street, Suite 200 |
| |
|
Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| |
|
|
| Name and address of agent for service: |
|
Sharon Ferrari |
| |
|
abrdn Inc. |
| |
|
1900 Market Street Suite 200 |
| |
|
Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| |
|
|
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: |
|
1-800-522-5465 |
| |
|
|
| Date of fiscal year end: |
|
September 30 |
| |
|
|
| Date of reporting period: |
|
March 31, 2026 |
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a) A copy of the report transmitted
to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) is filed herewith.
abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL)
Semi-Annual Report
March 31, 2026
Managed Distribution Policy
(unaudited)
The Board of Trustees (the "Board") of
the abrdn Life Sciences Investors (the “Fund”) has authorized a managed distribution policy (“MDP”) of paying quarterly distributions at an annual rate, set once a year, that is a
percentage of the rolling average of the Fund’s net asset values over the preceding three month period ending on the last day of the month immediately preceding the distribution’s declaration date (the
"Distribution Policy"). The Distribution Policy is subject to regular review by the Board. The Distribution Policy seeks to provide investors with a distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital
gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.
With each distribution, the Fund will issue
a notice to shareholders and an accompanying press release which will provide detailed information regarding the estimated amount and composition of the distribution and other information required by the Fund’s
MDP exemptive order. The Board may amend or terminate the MDP at any time without prior notice to shareholders; however, at this time, there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that might cause the
termination of the MDP. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s MDP.
Distribution Disclosure
Classification (unaudited)
The Fund’s policy is to provide
investors with a stable distribution rate. Each quarterly distribution will be paid out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.
The Fund is subject to U.S.
corporate, tax and securities laws. Under U.S. tax rules, the amount applicable to the Fund and character of distributable income for each fiscal period depends on the actual exchange rates during the entire year
between the U.S. Dollar and the currencies in which the Fund's assets are denominated and on the aggregate gains and losses realized by the Fund during the entire year.
Therefore, the exact amount
of distributable income for each fiscal year can only be determined as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal year, September 30. Under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”), the Fund is required to indicate
the sources of certain distributions to
shareholders. The estimated distribution composition may vary from quarter to quarter because it may be materially impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and fluctuations in
the value of the currencies in which the Fund's assets are denominated.
Based on generally accepted
accounting principles, the Fund estimates the distributions for the fiscal year commenced October 1, 2025 through the distributions declared on May 11, 2026 consisted of 90% net realized short-term capital gains and
10% net realized long-term capital gains.
In January 2027, a Form
1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the final amount and composition of distributions and provide information with respect to their appropriate tax treatment for the 2026 calendar year.
abrdn Life Sciences Investors
Letter to Shareholders (unaudited)
Dear Shareholder,
We present the Semi-Annual
Report, which covers the activities of abrdn Life Sciences Investors (the “Fund”), for the six-month period ended March 31, 2026. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital
appreciation by investing primarily in equity and related securities (including securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale) of U.S. and foreign companies principally engaged in the development,
production or distribution of products or services related to scientific advances in life sciences (including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, managed healthcare and medical equipment, hospitals,
healthcare information technology and services, devices, supplies and other healthcare-related subsectors), agriculture and environmental management ("Life Sciences Companies").
Total Investment Return1
For the six-month period
ended March 31, 2026, the total return to shareholders of the Fund based on the net asset value (“NAV”) and market price of the Fund, respectively, compared to the Fund’s benchmark, is as
follows:
| NAV2,3
| 13.25%
|
| Market Price2
| 11.72%
|
| Nasdaq Biotechnology Index4
| 19.99%
|
For more information about
Fund performance, please visit the Fund on the web at www.aberdeenhql.com. Here, you can view quarterly commentary on the Fund's performance, monthly fact sheets, distribution and performance information, and other
Fund literature.
NAV, Market Price and
Premium(+)/Discount(-)
The below table represents a
comparison between the current six-month period end and the prior fiscal year end of the Fund's market price to NAV and associated Premium(+) and Discount(-).
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NAV
| Closing
Market
Price
| Premium(+)/
Discount(-)
|
| 3/31/2026
| $18.44
| $16.27
| -11.77%
|
| 9/30/2025
| $17.35
| $15.51
| -10.61%
|
During the six-month period ended March 31,
2026, the Fund’s NAV was within a range of $17.41 to $19.67 and the Fund’s market price traded within a range of $15.57 to $17.75. During the six-month period ended March 31, 2026, the Fund’s shares
traded within a range of a premium(+)/discount(-) of -13.39% to -7.47%.
Managed Distribution Policy
The Fund has a managed
distribution policy of paying quarterly distributions at an annual rate, set by the Board of Trustees (the "Board") once a year, as a percentage of the rolling average of the Fund’s NAV over the preceding three
month period ending on the last day of the month immediately preceding the distribution’s declaration date. The Fund's current annualized distribution rate is 12%. This policy will be subject to regular review
by the Board. The distributions will be made from current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital, which is a nontaxable return of capital.
On May 11, 2026, the Fund
announced that it will pay on June 30, 2026, a stock distribution of US $0.56 per share to all shareholders of record as of May 21, 2026. This stock distribution will automatically be paid in newly issued shares of
the Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder. Shares of common stock will be issued at the lower of the NAV per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the
market price. Fractional shares will generally be settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who will have whole and fractional shares added to
their account.
Shareholders may request to
be paid their quarterly distributions in cash instead of shares of common stock by providing advance notice to the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds their shares if the shares are in “street name” or by
filling out in advance an election card received from Computershare Investor Services if the shares are in registered form.
The Fund is covered under
exemptive relief received by the Fund’s investment adviser from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that allows the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains as frequently as
quarterly in any one taxable year.
{foots1}
| 1
| Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than original cost. Current performance may be
lower or higher than the performance quoted. NAV return data include investment management fees, custodial charges and administrative fees (such as Trustee and legal fees) and assumes the reinvestment of all
distributions.
|
{foots1}
| 2
| Assuming the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
|
{foots1}
| 3
| The Fund’s total return is based on the reported NAV for each financial reporting period end and may differ from what is reported on the Financial Highlights due to financial statement rounding or adjustments.
|
{foots1}
| 4
| The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index contains securities of Nasdaq-listed companies classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as either Biotechnology or Pharmaceuticals industry. The Index
is unmanaged and has been provided for comparison purpose only. No fees or expenses are reflected. You cannot invest directly in an index.
|
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 1
|
Letter to Shareholders (unaudited) (concluded)
Unclaimed Share Accounts
Please be advised that
abandoned or unclaimed property laws for certain states require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including Fund shares) to the state. Each state has its own definition of unclaimed
property, and Fund shares could be considered “unclaimed property” due to account inactivity (e.g., no owner-generated activity for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a
shareholder is returned to the Fund's transfer agent as undeliverable), or a combination of both. If your Fund shares are categorized as unclaimed, your financial advisor or the Fund's transfer agent will follow
the applicable state’s statutory requirements to contact you, but if unsuccessful, laws may require that the shares be escheated to the appropriate state. If this happens, you will have to contact the state to
recover your property, which may involve time and expense. For more information on unclaimed property and how to maintain an active account, please contact your financial advisor or the Fund's transfer agent.
Open Market Repurchase Program
The Board has approved
an open market repurchase and discount management policy (the “Program”). The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, up to 12% of its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing
of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment adviser. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to NAV per share in the reasonable judgment of management based on
historical discount levels and current market conditions. If shares are repurchased, the Fund reports repurchase activity on its website on a monthly basis. For the six-month period ended March 31, 2026, the Fund
did not repurchase any shares through the Program.
On a quarterly basis, the Board
will receive information on any transactions made pursuant to this policy during the prior quarter.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Fund's complete schedule
of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth quarters of each fiscal year are included in the Fund's semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with
the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. These reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund makes the information
available to shareholders upon request and without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465.
Proxy Voting
A description of the policies
and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month
period ended
June 30 is available by August 31 of the
relevant year: (1) upon request without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465; and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Investor Relations Information
As part of Aberdeen's
commitment to shareholders, we invite you to visit the Fund on the web at www.aberdeenhql.com. Here, you can view monthly fact sheets, quarterly commentary, distribution and performance information, as well as other
Fund literature. Enroll in Aberdeen's email services to receive content related to your fund. In addition, you will receive monthly factsheets based on your preferences. Sign up today at www.aberdeenhql.com.
Contact Us:
| •
| Visit: www.aberdeenhql.com
|
| •
| Call: 1-800-522-5465 (toll free in the U.S.).
|
Yours sincerely,
/s/ Alan Goodson
Alan Goodson
President
{foots1}
All amounts are U.S.
Dollars unless otherwise stated.
| 2
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Total Investment Return (unaudited)
The following table summarizes
the average annual Fund performance compared to the Fund’s primary benchmark for the six-month (not annualized), 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods ended March 31, 2026.
|
| 6 Months
| 1 Year
| 3 Years
| 5 Years
| 10 Years
|
| Net Asset Value (NAV)
| 13.25%
| 52.59%
| 18.01%
| 8.84%
| 10.43%
|
| Market Price
| 11.72%
| 45.45%
| 18.83%
| 7.19%
| 9.32%
|
| Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
| 19.99%
| 38.53%
| 13.16%
| 5.15%
| 8.62%
|
Performance of a $10,000
Investment (as of March 31, 2026)
This graph shows the change in
value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.
Returns represent past
performance. Total investment return at NAV is based on changes in the NAV of Fund shares and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any, at market prices pursuant to the dividend reinvestment program
sponsored by the Fund’s transfer agent. All return data at NAV includes fees charged to the Fund, which are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Operations under “Expenses.” Total investment
return at market value is based on changes in the market price at which the Fund’s shares traded on the NYSE during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any, at market prices
pursuant to the dividend reinvestment program sponsored by the Fund’s transfer agent. The Fund’s total investment return is based on the reported NAV as of the financial reporting period end date of March
31, 2026. Because the Fund’s shares trade in the stock market based on investor demand, the Fund may trade at a price higher or lower than its NAV. Therefore, returns are calculated based on both market price
and NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance information provided does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions received
from the Fund or the sale of Fund shares. The current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the figures shown. The Fund’s yield, return, market price and NAV will fluctuate. Performance information
current to the most recent month-end is available at www.aberdeenhql.com or by calling 800-522-5465.
The annualized gross operating
expense ratio based on the six-month period ended March 31, 2026 was 1.19%.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 3
|
Portfolio Summary (as a percentage of net assets) (unaudited)
As of March 31, 2026
The following table summarizes
the composition of the Fund’s portfolio by asset allocation.
| Asset Allocation
|
|
| Common Stocks
| 88.4%
|
| Convertible Preferred Stocks
| 6.6%
|
| Milestone Interests
| 2.4%
|
| Warrants
| 2.2%
|
| Convertible Notes
| 0.5%
|
| Short-Term Investments
| 0.1%
|
| Call Options Written
| -
|
| Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
| (0.2%)
|
|
| 100.0%
|
The following table summarizes
the industry composition of the Fund’s portfolio, in S&P Global Inc.’s Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) Industries.
| Industries
|
|
| Biotechnology
| 73.0%
|
| Pharmaceuticals
| 22.1%
|
| Life Sciences Tools & Services
| 4.0%
|
| Health Care Providers & Services
| 1.0%
|
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies
| 0.0%
|
| Short-Term Investments
| 0.1%
|
| Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
| (0.2%)
|
|
| 100.0%
|
The following were the
Fund’s top ten holdings as of March 31, 2026:
| Top Ten Holdings
|
|
| Insmed, Inc.
| 3.0%
|
| Vaxcyte, Inc.
| 3.0%
|
| uniQure NV
| 2.8%
|
| Argenx SE, ADR
| 2.6%
|
| Dyne Therapeutics, Inc.
| 2.5%
|
| Denali Therapeutics, Inc.
| 2.3%
|
| Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
| 2.2%
|
| Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
| 2.1%
|
| Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.
| 2.1%
|
| Tectonic Therapeutic, Inc.
| 2.0%
|
| 4
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
As of March 31, 2026
|
| Shares or
Principal
Amount
| Value
|
| Convertible Preferred Stocks(a),(b),(c)—6.6%
|
| Biotechnology—3.1%
|
| Abcuro, Inc. Series B
|
| 232,252
| $ 1,274,994
|
| Abcuro, Inc. Series C1
|
| 51,403
| 310,407
|
| Arbor Biotechnologies, Inc. Series B, 8.00%
|
| 38,624
| 640,000
|
| Arbor Biotechnologies, Inc. Series C, 8.00%
|
| 389,294
| 1,599,999
|
| Atalanta Therapeutics, Inc. Series B
|
| 777,778
| 700,000
|
| Aviceda Therapeutics Series C
|
| 38,906
| 224,091
|
| Glycomine, Inc. Series C, 8.00%
|
| 2,655,105
| 1,593,063
|
| Hotspot Therapeutics, Inc. Series B, 6.00%
|
| 1,291,668
| 3,100,003
|
| Hotspot Therapeutics, Inc. Series C, 6.00%
|
| 284,119
| 920,801
|
| Incendia Therapeutics, Inc. Series A
|
| 832,650
| 302,002
|
| Priothera Co. Ltd. Series A, 6.00%
|
| 152,534
| 18
|
| Quell Therapeutics Ltd. Series B
|
| 846,561
| 1,760,000
|
| Recode Therapeutics, Inc. Series B, 5.00%
|
| 155,959
| 1,440,001
|
| Seismic Therapeutics, Inc. Series B
|
| 282,340
| 1,274,991
|
| Third Arc Bio, Inc. Series A, 8.00%
|
| 1,050,280
| 2,209,999
|
|
|
|
| 17,350,369
|
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies—0.0%
|
| IO Light Holdings, Inc. Series A2
|
| 421,634
| 42
|
| Pharmaceuticals—3.5%
|
| Biotheryx, Inc. Series E, 8.00%
|
| 609,524
| 307,992
|
| Crystalys Therapeutics, Inc. Series A
|
| 1,020,512
| 1,022,400
|
| Curasen Therapeutics, Inc. Series A
|
| 9,049,182
| 4,339,083
|
| Curasen Therapeutics, Inc. Series B
|
| 1,379,821
| 661,624
|
| Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. Series B, 8.00%
|
| 296,855
| 1,399,998
|
| Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. Series C, 8.00%
|
| 54,815
| 357,646
|
| Engrail Therapeutics, Inc., 8.00%
|
| 2,124,646
| 1,266,501
|
| HiberCell, Inc. Series B
|
| 1,305,163
| 538,380
|
| HiberCell, Inc. Series C
|
| 719,652
| 333,630
|
| Nuvig Therapeutics, Inc. Series B
|
| 739,010
| 775,000
|
| Qlaris Bio, Inc. Series B
|
| 1,974,522
| 1,550,000
|
| VeraDermics, Inc. Series C
|
| 109,305
| 6,902,611
|
|
|
|
| 19,454,865
|
| Total Convertible Preferred Stocks
| 36,805,276
|
| Convertible Notes(a),(c)—0.5%
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology—0.3%
|
|
|
|
| Hotspot Therapeutics, Inc., 6.00%, 04/12/28
| $
| 323,870
| 323,870
|
| Incendia Therapeutics, Inc., 8.00%, 04/18/26
|
| 738,460
| 738,460
|
| Incendia Therapeutics, Inc., 10.00%, 09/09/26
|
| 257,586
| 257,586
|
| HiberCell, Inc., 10.00%, 04/30/26
|
| 320,000
| 320,000
|
|
|
|
| 1,639,916
|
| Health Care Providers & Services—0.0%
|
|
|
|
| Recode Therapeutics, Inc., 8.00%, 03/23/27
|
| 75,939
| 75,939
|
| Pharmaceuticals—0.2%
|
|
|
|
| HiberCell, Inc., 10.00%, 04/30/26
|
| 206,589
| 206,589
|
| Curasen Therapeutics, Inc., 8.00%, 03/31/26
|
| 441,083
| 441,083
|
| Qlaris Bio, Inc., 8.00%, 04/30/27
|
| 191,578
| 191,578
|
|
|
|
| 839,250
|
| Total Convertible Notes
|
|
| 2,555,105
|
| Common Stocks—88.4%
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology—67.3%
|
| Abivax SA, ADR(b)
|
| 58,444
| 6,507,739
|
| Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 1,462,219
| 3,567,814
|
|
| Shares or
Principal
Amount
| Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 30,216
| $ 9,997,568
|
| Amgen, Inc.
|
| 18,629
| 6,554,614
|
| Apogee Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 76,841
| 6,467,707
|
| Arcus Biosciences, Inc.(b)
|
| 140,418
| 3,033,029
|
| Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 144,311
| 3,399,967
|
| Argenx SE, ADR(b)
|
| 19,643
| 14,344,301
|
| Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 143,265
| 8,982,715
|
| ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 638,505
| 5,127,195
|
| Ascendis Pharma AS, ADR(b)
|
| 11,544
| 2,640,459
|
| Avalo Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 171,679
| 2,563,167
|
| BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 996,017
| 9,482,082
|
| Biohaven Ltd.(b)
|
| 771,452
| 6,526,484
|
| Caribou Biosciences, Inc.(b)
|
| 1,212,541
| 2,303,828
|
| Chinook Therapeutics, Inc. CVR(a),(b),(c)
|
| 59,063
| 18,900
|
| Cogent Biosciences, Inc.(b)
|
| 97,873
| 3,767,132
|
| Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.(b)
|
| 543,719
| 5,105,521
|
| Cytokinetics, Inc.(b)
|
| 150,025
| 9,888,148
|
| Denali Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 664,716
| 12,762,547
|
| Disc Medicine, Inc.(b)
|
| 99,339
| 6,351,736
|
| Dyne Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 763,959
| 13,850,577
|
| Equillium, Inc.(b)
|
| 3,352,837
| 6,705,674
|
| Evommune, Inc.(b)
|
| 58,305
| 1,340,432
|
| GRAIL, Inc.(b),(d)
|
| 73,603
| 3,803,803
|
| Ideaya Biosciences, Inc.(b)
|
| 210,611
| 7,017,559
|
| Immatics NV(b)
|
| 238,738
| 2,349,182
|
| Immunic, Inc.(b)
|
| 3,028,916
| 3,362,097
|
| Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR(b)
|
| 49,941
| 1,505,721
|
| Immunovant, Inc.(b)
|
| 441,498
| 10,966,810
|
| Insmed, Inc.(b)
|
| 104,142
| 17,029,300
|
| Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 34,943
| 2,623,870
|
| Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 150,000
| 526,500
|
| Jade Biosciences, Inc.
|
| 277,555
| 3,899,648
|
| Krystal Biotech, Inc.(b)
|
| 11,430
| 2,952,598
|
| Lexeo Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 245,904
| 1,411,489
|
| Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(b)
|
| 16,247
| 2,140,380
|
| Newamsterdam Pharma Co. NV(b)
|
| 157,389
| 5,038,022
|
| Nuvalent, Inc., Class A(b)
|
| 55,694
| 5,705,850
|
| Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 75,680
| 3,712,104
|
| Palisade Bio, Inc.(b)
|
| 662,900
| 1,160,075
|
| Palvella Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 26,322
| 3,281,037
|
| Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc.(b)
|
| 28,244
| 9,099,934
|
| Precision BioSciences, Inc.(b)
|
| 1,085,970
| 5,972,835
|
| Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd., ADR(b)
|
| 34,600
| 228,360
|
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
| 12,398
| 9,579,191
|
| Revolution Medicines, Inc.(b)
|
| 36,678
| 3,566,935
|
| Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 32,407
| 2,818,437
|
| Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b),(d)
|
| 664,821
| 2,380,059
|
| Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 416,313
| 9,058,971
|
| Shattuck Labs, Inc.(b)
|
| 1,159,321
| 7,454,434
|
| Sionna Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 168,051
| 6,737,165
|
| Soleno Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 97,455
| 3,262,793
|
| Summit Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 238,231
| 4,516,860
|
| Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 286,969
| 6,703,596
|
| Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.(b)
|
| 1,021,063
| 4,564,152
|
| Tectonic Therapeutic, Inc.(b)
|
| 370,884
| 11,464,024
|
| Travere Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 203,913
| 6,058,255
|
| TScan Therapeutics, Inc.(b)
|
| 836,783
| 845,151
|
| Twist Bioscience Corp.(b)
|
| 24,817
| 1,179,304
|
| uniQure NV(b)
|
| 972,920
| 15,907,242
|
| Vaxcyte, Inc.(b)
|
| 286,930
| 16,673,502
|
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 5
|
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (continued)
As of March 31, 2026
|
| Shares or
Principal
Amount
| Value
|
| Common Stocks (continued)
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology (continued)
|
| Vericel Corp.(b)
|
| 118,643
| $ 3,816,745
|
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 9,163
| 4,091,646
|
| Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)
|
| 202,664
| 11,784,912
|
|
|
|
| 377,539,884
|
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies—0.0%
|
| Willow Laboratories, Inc.(a),(b),(c)
|
| 130,000
| 13
|
| Health Care Providers & Services(b)—1.0%
|
| GeneDx Holdings Corp.
|
| 27,631
| 1,774,463
|
| Guardant Health, Inc.
|
| 40,219
| 3,715,029
|
|
|
|
| 5,489,492
|
| Life Sciences Tools & Services(b)—4.0%
|
| Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp.
|
| 394,969
| 5,482,170
|
| Codexis, Inc.
|
| 3,090,272
| 5,037,143
|
| Personalis, Inc.
|
| 1,430,790
| 9,114,132
|
| Tempus AI, Inc., Class A
|
| 62,796
| 2,839,635
|
|
|
|
| 22,473,080
|
| Pharmaceuticals(b)—16.1%
|
| AgomAb Therapeutics NV, ADR
|
| 141,787
| 1,487,346
|
| Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
|
| 73,746
| 12,464,549
|
| Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
| 312,153
| 11,337,397
|
| Edgewise Therapeutics, Inc.
|
| 353,076
| 11,121,894
|
| EyePoint, Inc.
|
| 616,005
| 7,940,304
|
| Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.
|
| 1,518,506
| 11,646,941
|
| Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CVR(a),(c),(e)
|
| 3,256
| 4,493
|
| Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC
|
| 17,872
| 3,378,702
|
| LENZ Therapeutics, Inc.
|
| 371,775
| 3,401,741
|
| Maze Therapeutics, Inc.
|
| 54,644
| 1,631,123
|
| Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
|
| 182,062
| 1,542,065
|
| Oculis Holding AG(e)
|
| 253,740
| 6,746,947
|
| Oculis Holding AG(e)
|
| 8,974
| 238,619
|
| SpyGlass Pharma, Inc.
|
| 36,142
| 936,439
|
| Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR
|
| 119,693
| 5,769,203
|
| VeraDermics, Inc.
|
| 155,623
| 9,827,592
|
| WaVe Life Sciences Ltd.
|
| 150,000
| 1,087,500
|
|
|
|
| 90,562,855
|
| Total Common Stocks
| 496,065,324
|
| Warrants(b)—2.2%
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology—2.2%
|
|
|
|
| Immunic, Inc.
|
| 2,311,826
| 2,566,127
|
| Immunic, Inc., Series B(expiration date 6/30/2030, exercise price $0.75)(a)
|
| 2,311,826
| 1,678,848
|
| Immunic, Inc.
|
| 4,444,604
| 4,933,511
|
| Immunic, Inc., Series C(expiration date 1/31/2027, exercise price $0.87)(a)
|
| 4,444,604
| 2,156,522
|
| Precision BioSciences, Inc.(expiration date 11/11/2030, exercise price $7.25)(a)
|
| 336,267
| 1,032,642
|
|
|
|
| 12,367,650
|
| Health Care Providers & Services—0.0%
|
|
|
|
| Recode Therapeutics, Inc.(expiration date 9/23/2035, exercise price $0.01)(a),(c)
|
| 75,939
| 0
|
|
| Shares or
Principal
Amount
| Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pharmaceuticals(a),(c)—0.0%
|
|
|
|
| HiberCell, Inc.(expiration date 09/15/28, exercise price $0.46)
|
| 719,652
| $ 1
|
| HiberCell, Inc.(expiration date 09/13/34, exercise price $0.08)
|
| 2,582,362
| 2
|
| HiberCell, Inc.(expiration date 01/09/36, exercise price $0.08)
|
| 4,000,000
| 0
|
|
|
|
| 3
|
| Total Warrants
|
|
| 12,367,653
|
| Short-Term Investment—0.1%
|
| State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 3.60%(f)
|
| 851,602
| 851,602
|
| Total Short-Term Investment
| 851,602
|
Total Investments Before Milestone Interests—97.8%
(Cost $414,777,980)
| 548,644,960
|
|
|
| Interests
| Value
|
| Milestone Interests(a),(b),(c)—2.4%
|
| Biotechnology—0.1%
|
| Amphivena Milestone Interest
|
| 1
| $ 0
|
| Invetx, Inc. Milestone Interest
|
| 1
| 697,272
|
|
|
|
| 697,272
|
| Pharmaceuticals—2.3%
|
| Afferent Milestone Interest
|
| 1
| 0
|
| Amolyt Milestone Interest
|
| 1
| 1,093,996
|
| Ethismos Research Milestone Interest
|
| 1
| 0
|
| Neurovance Milestone Interest
|
| 1
| 11,457,801
|
|
|
|
| 12,551,797
|
| Total Milestone Interests
| 13,249,069
|
| Total Investments (Cost $418,298,407)(g)—100.2%
| 561,894,029
|
| Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets—(0.2%)
| (1,067,401)
|
| Net Assets—100.0%
| $560,826,628
|
| (a)
| Level 3 security. See Note 2(a) of the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
|
| (b)
| Non-income producing security.
|
| (c)
| Restricted security.
|
| (d)
| A portion of security is pledged as collateral for call options written.
|
| (e)
| Foreign security.
|
| (f)
| Registered investment company advised by State Street Investment Management. The rate shown is the 7 day yield as of March 31, 2026.
|
| (g)
| See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements for tax unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of securities.
|
| ADR
| American Depositary Receipt
|
| CVR
| Contingent Value Right
|
| PLC
| Public Limited Company
|
| 6
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (concluded)
As of March 31, 2026
|
| Number of Contracts
(100 shares each)
| Notional Amount ($)
| Value ($)
|
| Option Contracts Written—0.0%
|
| Call Options Written—0.0%
|
| GRAIL, Inc. APR26 70 Call
| 124
| (868,000)
| (3,720)
|
| ROCKET PHARMACEUTICALS, Inc. APR26 7.5 Call
| 700
| (525,000)
| (2,800)
|
| ROCKET PHARMACEUTICALS, Inc. JUL26 7.5 Call
| 3,500
| (2,625,000)
| (59,500)
|
Total Call Options Written
(Premiums received $(215,081))
| (66,020)
|
See accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 7
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)
As of March 31, 2026
| Assets
|
|
| Investments, at value (cost $413,926,378)
| $ 547,793,358
|
| Short-term investment, at value (cost $851,602)
| 851,602
|
| Milestone interests, at value (cost $3,520,427)
| 13,249,069
|
| Receivable for investments sold
| 1,150,732
|
| Interest and dividends receivable
| 117,387
|
| Tax reclaim receivable
| 8,970
|
| Prepaid expenses
| 54,706
|
| Other assets (Note 2j)
| 189
|
| Total assets
| 563,226,013
|
| Liabilities
|
|
| Due to custodian
| 1,574,365
|
| Investment advisory fees payable (Note 3)
| 483,413
|
| Written options, at value (premiums received $215,081)
| 66,020
|
| Trustee fees payable
| 34,995
|
| Investor relations fees payable (Note 3)
| 24,244
|
| Payable for investments purchased
| 17,742
|
| Administration fees payable
| 3,212
|
| Other accrued expenses
| 195,394
|
| Total liabilities
| 2,399,385
|
| Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 7 & 9)
|
|
|
|
| Net Assets
| $560,826,628
|
| Composition of Net Assets
|
|
| Common stock (par value $0.010 per share) (Note 5)
| $ 304,080
|
| Paid-in capital in excess of par
| 449,154,335
|
| Distributable earnings
| 111,368,213
|
| Net Assets
| $560,826,628
|
| Net asset value per share based on 30,408,046 shares issued and outstanding
| $18.44
|
See accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements.
| 8
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Statement of Operations (unaudited)
For the Six-Month Period Ended March 31, 2026
| Net Investment Income
|
|
| Investment Income:
|
|
| Dividends
| $ 336,854
|
| Interest and other income
| 196,346
|
| Total investment income
| 533,200
|
| Expenses:
|
|
| Investment advisory fee (Note 3)
| 2,891,159
|
| Independent auditors’ fees and tax expenses
| 74,820
|
| Trustees' fees and expenses
| 70,182
|
| Investor relations fees and expenses (Note 3)
| 49,196
|
| Legal fees and expenses
| 49,150
|
| Reports to shareholders and proxy solicitation
| 46,340
|
| Transfer agent’s fees and expenses
| 27,824
|
| Custodian’s fees and expenses
| 21,041
|
| Administration fee
| 11,028
|
| Insurance expense
| 9,604
|
| Miscellaneous
| 36,973
|
| Total expenses
| 3,287,317
|
|
|
| Net Investment Loss
| (2,754,117)
|
| Net Realized/Unrealized Gain/(Loss):
|
|
| Net realized gain/(loss) from:
|
|
| Investments
| 46,304,233
|
| Written options
| 1,232,960
|
| Foreign currency transactions
| (113)
|
|
| 47,537,080
|
| Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:
|
|
| Investments
| 20,635,959
|
| Milestone interests
| (457,514)
|
| Written options
| 378,921
|
|
| 20,557,366
|
| Net realized and unrealized gain from investments, milestone interests, written options and foreign
currencies
| 68,094,446
|
| Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
| $65,340,329
|
See accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 9
|
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
| For the
Six-Month
Period Ended
March 31, 2026
(unaudited)
| For the
Year Ended
September 30, 2025
|
| Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets:
|
|
|
| Operations:
|
|
|
| Net investment loss
| $(2,754,117)
| $(3,374,946)
|
| Net realized gain from investments, written options and foreign currency transactions
| 47,537,080
| 27,893,949
|
| Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, milestone interests and written options
| 20,557,366
| 61,075,343
|
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
| 65,340,329
| 85,594,346
|
| Distributions to Shareholders From:
|
|
|
| Distributable earnings
| (31,576,348)
| (52,118,605)
|
| Net decrease in net assets from distributions
| (31,576,348)
| (52,118,605)
|
| Reinvestment of dividends resulting in the issuance of 809,354 and 1,537,293 shares of
common stock, respectively
| 13,406,701
| 20,485,599
|
| Change in net assets
| 47,170,682
| 53,961,340
|
| Net Assets:
|
|
|
| Beginning of period
| 513,655,946
| 459,694,606
|
| End of period
| $560,826,628
| $513,655,946
|
Amounts listed as
“–” are $0 or round to $0.
See accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements.
| 10
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
For the Six-Month Period Ended March
31, 2026
| Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
| Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
| $ 65,340,329
|
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting
from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
| Investments purchased
| (294,770,181)
|
| Investments sold and principal repayments
| 304,943,676
|
| Proceeds from option contracts written
| 1,395,693
|
| Net change in short-term investments
| 7,565,751
|
| Increase in interest, dividends and other receivables
| (15,681)
|
| Increase in prepaid expenses
| (15,844)
|
| Increase in accrued investment advisory fees payable
| 104,310
|
| Increase in other accrued expenses
| 66,250
|
| Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments
| (20,557,366)
|
| Net realized gain on investments transactions and options
| (47,537,193)
|
| Net cash provided by operating activities
| 16,519,744
|
| Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
| Increase in payable to custodian
| $ 1,574,365
|
| Distributions paid to shareholders
| (18,169,647)
|
| Net cash used in financing activities
| (16,595,282)
|
| Net change in cash
| (75,538)
|
| Unrestricted and restricted cash, beginning of period
| 75,538
|
| Unrestricted and restricted cash, end of period
| $–
|
Amounts listed as
“–” are $0 or round to $0.
See accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 11
|
|
| For the
Six-Month
Period Ended
March 31,
| For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30,
|
|
| 2026
(unaudited)
| 2025
| 2024
(a)
| 2023
| 2022
(b)
| 2021
(b)
|
| PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net asset value per common share, beginning of period
| $17.35
| $16.38
| $15.00
| $15.49
| $21.22
| $20.25
|
| Net investment loss(c)
| (0.09)
| (0.12)
| (0.07)
| (0.08)
| (0.12)
| (0.17)
|
| Net realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, written
options and foreign currency transactions
| 2.24
| 2.91
| 3.11
| 0.87
| (4.14)
| 2.83
|
| Total from investment operations applicable to common shareholders
| 2.15
| 2.79
| 3.04
| 0.79
| (4.26)
| 2.66
|
| Distributions to common shareholders from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net investment income
| (1.06)
| (1.72)
| (0.69)
| (0.02)
| (0.03)
| (0.42)
|
| Net realized gains
| –
| (0.10)
| (0.76)
| (1.26)
| (1.44)
| (1.27)
|
| Return of capital
| –
| –
| (0.21)
| –
| –
| –
|
| Total distributions
| (1.06)
| (1.82)
| (1.66)
| (1.28)
| (1.47)
| (1.69)
|
| Net asset value per common share, end of period
| $18.44
| $17.35
| $16.38
| $15.00
| $15.49
| $21.22
|
| Market price, end of period
| $16.27
| $15.51
| $15.08
| $12.47
| $13.66
| $20.80
|
| Total Investment Return Based on(d):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Market price
| 11.72%
| 17.62%
| 35.94%
| 0.23%
| (27.97%)
| 28.32%
|
| Net asset value
| 13.25%
| 21.13%(e)
| 22.75%
| 6.32%
| (19.88%)
| 13.65%
|
| Ratio to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders/Supplementary Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (000 omitted)
| $560,827
| $513,656
| $459,695
| $401,934
| $397,902
| $523,440
|
| Average net assets applicable to common shareholders (000 omitted)
| $554,707
| $429,010
| $433,142
| $421,289
| $436,937
| $519,380
|
| Gross operating expenses
| 1.19%(f)
| 1.24%
| 1.36%
| 1.35%
| 1.38%
| 1.24%
|
| Net Investment loss
| (1.00%)(f)
| (0.79%)
| (0.44%)
| (0.52%)
| (0.68%)
| (0.80%)
|
| Portfolio turnover
| 53%(g)
| 73%
| 46%
| 35%
| 42%
| 62%
|
| (a)
| Effective October 27, 2023, abrdn Inc. became the investment adviser of the Fund. Prior to October 27, 2023, the Fund was managed by Tekla Capital Management, LLC. Members of the portfolio management
team from Tekla joined abrdn Inc., and continue to manage the Fund.
|
| (b)
| Beginning with the year ended September 30, 2023, the Fund’s financial statements were audited by KPMG LLP.
Previous years were audited by a different independent registered public accounting firm.
|
| (c)
| Based on average shares outstanding.
|
| (d)
| Total investment return based on market value is calculated assuming that shares of the Fund’s common stock were purchased at the closing market price as of the beginning of the period, dividends,
capital gains and other distributions were reinvested as provided for in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan and then sold at the closing market price per share on the last day of the period. The computation
does not reflect any sales commission investors may incur in purchasing or selling shares of the Fund. The total investment return based on the net asset value is similarly computed except that the Fund’s net
asset value is substituted for the closing market value.
|
| (e)
| The total return shown includes the impact of financial statement rounding of the NAV per share and/or financial statement adjustments.
|
| (f)
| Annualized.
|
| (g)
| Not annualized.
|
Amounts listed as
“–” are $0 or round to $0.
See accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements.
| 12
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
March 31, 2026
1. Organization
abrdn Life Sciences
Investors (the "Fund") is a Massachusetts business trust formed on February 20, 1992, and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund
commenced operations on May 8, 1992. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and related securities (including securities subject to legal or
contractual restrictions on resale) of U.S. and foreign companies principally engaged in the development, production or distribution of products or services related to scientific advances in life sciences (including
biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, managed healthcare and medical equipment, hospitals, healthcare information technology and services, devices, supplies and other healthcare-related subsectors), agriculture
and environmental management ("Life Sciences Companies"). The Fund invests primarily in securities of public and private companies that are believed by the Fund’s investment adviser, abrdn Inc. (the "Investment
Adviser," the "Adviser" or "Aberdeen") to have significant potential for above-average growth. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities of foreign issuers, expected to be located primarily in
Western Europe, Canada and Japan, and securities of U.S. issuers that are traded primarily in foreign markets.
HQL's closed-end structure
and investment mandate enable it to invest in venture capital holdings, leveraging its permanent capital base to hold illiquid private healthcare investments through multi-year development cycles. The Fund applies the
same disciplined, science-driven evaluation to these private investments as it does to public equities, with the key differentiator being timing, which is a critical driver of returns in early-stage healthcare.
Venture capital holdings typically represent approximately 10% of the Fund's net, though this allocation may fluctuate as positions mature, exit, or are newly initiated.
Variability is inherent in
venture investing and reflects the realities of early-stage healthcare Development, including evolving clinical data, financing challenges, extended timelines, and the potential for write-downs. These outcomes are
characteristic of the asset class. Since its founding in 1987, HQL has invested in pre-public healthcare companies, with its venture program reflecting a long-term, strategically oriented approach characterized by a
non-linear trajectory over time. Periods of strong gains from IPOs and acquisitions have been balanced by setbacks and losses among less successful investments. This long-term, diversified approach highlights the
value of maintaining a disciplined venture allocation within a permanent capital structure. These investments are designed to generate value over extended time horizons and are best assessed across full market cycles
rather than on short-term performance.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
The Fund is an investment
company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment
Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accounting records of
the Fund are maintained in U.S. Dollars and the U.S. Dollar is used as both the functional and reporting currency.
a. Security Valuation:
The Fund values its
securities at fair value, consistent with regulatory requirements. "Fair value" is defined in the Fund's Valuation and Liquidity Procedures as the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a
liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants without a compulsion to transact at the measurement date, also referred to as market value. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board
designated Aberdeen as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for the Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments for which market quotations are not readily available or
deemed unreliable and the Fund's investments in securities of early and/or later stage financing of privately held companies ("Venture Capital Securities").
In accordance with the
authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under U.S. GAAP, the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments using a three-level hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques
used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy assigns Level 1, the highest level, measurements to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, Level 2 measurements to
valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including adjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets, and Level 3, the lowest level, measurements to valuations based upon unobservable
inputs that are significant to the valuation. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk
inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable
inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 13
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect
the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. A
financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Open-end mutual funds are
valued at the respective NAV as reported by such company. The prospectuses for the registered open-end management investment companies in which the Fund invests explain the circumstances under which those companies
will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing. Closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") are valued at the market price of the security at the Valuation Time (defined below). A
security using any of these pricing methodologies is generally determined to be a Level 1 investment.
Long-term debt and other
fixed-income securities are valued at the last quoted or evaluated bid price on the valuation date provided by an independent pricing service provider. If there are no current day bids, the security is valued at the
previously applied bid. Pricing services generally price debt securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional “round lot” size and the strategies employed by the Valuation Designee generally
trade in round lot sizes. In certain circumstances, some trades may occur in smaller “odd lot” sizes which may be effected at lower, or higher, prices than institutional round lot trades. Short-term debt
securities (such as commercial paper and U.S. treasury bills) having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at the last quoted or evaluated bid price on the valuation date provided by an independent
pricing service, or on the basis of amortized cost, if it represents the best approximation of fair value. Debt and other fixed-income securities are generally determined to be Level 2 investments.
Equity securities that are
traded on an exchange are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official close price on the principal exchange on which the security is traded at the “Valuation Time” subject to application, when
appropriate, of the valuation factors described in the paragraph below. Under normal circumstances, the Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (usually 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time). In the absence of a sale price, the security is valued at the mean of the bid/ask price quoted at the close on the principal exchange on which the security is traded. Securities traded on NASDAQ are
valued at the NASDAQ official closing price.
Convertible preferred shares,
warrants or convertible note interests in Venture Capital Securities, milestone interests, and other restricted securities are typically valued in good faith, based upon the recommendations made by the Valuation
Designee pursuant to fair valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board.
Derivative instruments are valued at fair
value. Exchange-traded futures are generally Level 1 investments and centrally cleared swaps and forwards are generally Level 2 investments. Forward foreign currency contracts are generally valued based on the bid
price of the forward rates and the current spot rate. Forward exchange rate quotations are available for scheduled settlement dates, such as 1-, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month periods. An interpolated valuation is derived
based on the actual settlement dates of the forward contracts held. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price or at the last bid price if no settlement price is available. Swap agreements are generally
valued by an approved pricing agent based on the terms of the swap agreement (including future cash flows). When market quotations or exchange rates are not readily available, or if the Adviser concludes that such
market quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s assets are determined in good faith in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.
Foreign equity securities
that are traded on foreign exchanges that close prior to the Valuation Time are valued by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. Valuation factors are provided by an
independent pricing service provider. These valuation factors are used when pricing the Fund's portfolio holdings to estimate market movements between the time foreign markets close and the time the Fund values such
foreign securities. These valuation factors are based on inputs such as depositary receipts, indices, futures, sector indices/ETFs, exchange rates, and local exchange opening and closing prices of each security. When
prices with the application of valuation factors are utilized, the value assigned to the foreign securities may not be the same as quoted or published prices of the securities on their primary markets. A security that
applies a valuation factor is generally determined to be a Level 2 investment because the exchange-traded price has been adjusted. Valuation factors are not utilized if the independent pricing service provider is
unable to provide a valuation factor or if the valuation factor falls below a predetermined threshold; in such case, the security is determined to be a Level 1 investment.
Short-term investments are
comprised of cash and cash equivalents invested in short-term investment funds which are redeemable daily. The Fund sweeps available cash into the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund,
which has elected to qualify as a “government money market fund” pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, and has an objective, which is not guaranteed, to maintain a $1.00 per share NAV. Generally,
these investment types are categorized as Level 1 investments.
In the event that a
security’s, other than a Venture Capital Security, market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closes before the
Valuation Time), the security is valued at fair value as determined by the Valuation Designee, taking into account
| 14
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
the relevant factors and surrounding
circumstances using valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. A security that has been fair valued by the Valuation Designee may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the nature of the
inputs.
Venture Capital Securities
are valued based on a consideration of relevant factors, including both observable and unobservable inputs. Observable and unobservable inputs considered may include (i) the existence of any contractual
restrictions on the disposition of securities; (ii) information obtained from the company, which may include an analysis of the company's financial statements, products, intended markets or technologies; (iii) the
price of the same or similar security negotiated at arm's length in an issuer's completed subsequent round of financing; (iv) the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable
companies; or (v) a probability and time value adjusted analysis of contractual terms. Where available and appropriate, multiple valuation methodologies are applied to confirm fair value. Significant unobservable
inputs are often used in the fair value determination. A significant change in any of these inputs may result in a significant change in the fair value measurement. Additionally, changes in the market environment and
other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different from the valuations used at the date of these
financial statements.
The three-level hierarchy of inputs is
summarized below:
Level 1 - quoted prices
(unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments;
Level 2 - other significant observable
inputs (including valuation factors, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk, etc.); or
Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs
(including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
Level 3 investments are
valued using significant unobservable inputs. The unobservable inputs disclosed represent the inputs that had the most significant impact on the determination of fair value and reflect management’s assessment of
the key assumptions used in the valuation of the security. These inputs were selected after consideration of a range of available information relevant to the issuer and the security, including information obtained
from the issuer (such as analysis of financial statements, products, intended markets, or technologies), and other factors deemed relevant to the valuation. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent
the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.
The following is a
summary of the inputs used as of March 31, 2026 in valuing the Fund's investments and other financial instruments at fair value. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication
of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for a detailed breakout of the security types:
| Investments, at Value
| Level 1 – Quoted
Prices
| Level 2 – Other Significant
Observable Inputs
| Level 3 – Significant
Unobservable Inputs
| Total
|
| Assets
|
|
|
| Investments in Securities
|
|
|
|
| Common Stocks
| $496,041,918
| $–
| $23,406
| $496,065,324
|
| Convertible Preferred Stocks
| –
| –
| 36,805,276
| 36,805,276
|
| Milestone Interests
| –
| –
| 13,249,069
| 13,249,069
|
| Warrants
| –
| 7,499,638
| 4,868,015
| 12,367,653
|
| Convertible Notes
| –
| –
| 2,555,105
| 2,555,105
|
| Short-Term Investment
| 851,602
| –
| –
| 851,602
|
| Total Investments
| $496,893,520
| $7,499,638
| $57,500,871
| $561,894,029
|
| Other Assets
| $–
| $–
| $189
| $189
|
| Total Investment Assets
| $496,893,520
| $7,499,638
| $57,501,060
| $561,894,218
|
| Liabilities
|
|
|
| Other Financial Instruments
|
|
|
|
| Written Options
| $(66,020)
| $–
| $–
| $(66,020)
|
| Total Investment Liabilities
| $(66,020)
| $–
| $–
| $(66,020)
|
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 15
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
Rollforward of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2026
|
Investments
in Securities
| Balance
as of
September 30,
2025
| Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
and Change
in Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
| Net
Purchases
and
conversions
| Net
Sales
and
conversions
| Balance
as of
March 31,
2026
| Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
from
Investments
Held at
March 31,
2026
|
| Common Stocks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology
| $18,900
| $–
| $–
| $–
| $18,900
| $–
|
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies
| 13
| –
| –
| –
| 13
| –
|
| Pharmaceuticals
| 4,493
| –
| –
| –
| 4,493
| –
|
| Convertible Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology
| 1,319,916
| –
| –
| –
| 1,319,916
| –
|
| Health Care Providers & Services
| 75,939
| –
| –
| –
| 75,939
| –
|
| Pharmaceuticals
| 647,672
| –
| 511,578
| –
| 1,159,250
| –
|
| Convertible Preferred Stocks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology
| 19,549,743
| (2,542,462)
| 522,537
| (179,449)
| 17,350,369
| 2,166,233
|
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies
| 42
| –
| –
| –
| 42
| –
|
| Pharmaceuticals
| 13,554,898
| 4,493,089
| 1,406,878
| –
| 19,454,865
| 4,493,089
|
| Milestone Interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology
| 1,455,577
| (758,305)
| –
| –
| 697,272
| (758,305)
|
| Pharmaceuticals
| 12,251,006
| 300,791
| –
| –
| 12,551,797
| 300,791
|
| Warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Biotechnology
| 1,060,914
| 3,807,098
| –
| –
| 4,868,012
| 3,807,098
|
| Health Care Providers & Services
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
|
| Pharmaceuticals
| 3
| –
| –
| –
| 3
| –
|
| Other Assets
| 189
| –
| –
| –
| 189
| –
|
| Total
| $49,939,305
| $5,300,211
| $2,440,993
| $(179,449)
| $57,501,060
| $10,008,906
|
| Description
| Fair Value at
March 31, 2026
| Valuation Technique (s)
| Unobservable Inputs
| Range
| Weighted
Average
| Relationship
Between
Fair Value
and Input;
if Input value
increases then
Fair Value:
|
| Common Stocks
| $23,393
| Income approach
| Probability of events
Timing of events
| 16.00% - 46.00%
3.41 - 3.75 years
| 23.89%
3.66 years
| Increases
Decreases
|
|
| $13
| Market approach
| Transaction Price(a)
| N/A
| N/A
| Increases
|
| Convertible Notes
| $2,555,105
| Market approach
| Transaction Price(b)
| N/A
| N/A
| Increases
|
| Convertible Preferred Stocks
| $872,011
| Market approach
| Timing of events
Implied market volatility
Risk free rate
Transaction Price(a)
| 0.24 years
116.74%
3.67%
N/A
| 0.24 years
116.74%
3.67%
N/A
| Decreases
Decreases
Decreases
Increases
|
|
| $35,933,265
| Market approach
| Transaction Price(a)
| N/A
| N/A
| Increases
|
| 16
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
| Description
| Fair Value at
March 31, 2026
| Valuation Technique (s)
| Unobservable Inputs
| Range
| Weighted
Average
| Relationship
Between
Fair Value
and Input;
if Input value
increases then
Fair Value:
|
| Milestone Interests
| $13,249,069
| Income approach
| Discount rate
Probability of events
Timing of events
| 3.40% - 10.00%
0.00% - 90.00%
0.00 - 8.00 years
| 4.01%
56.00%
2.76 years
| Decreases
Increases
Decreases
|
| Warrants
| $3
| Market approach
| Transaction Price(a)
| N/A
| N/A
| Increases
|
|
| $4,868,012
| Income approach
| Discount rate
Implied market volatility
Timing of events
Marketability Discount
| 3.65% - 3.94%
90.00%
0.84 - 4.18 years
30.00%
| 3.81%
90.00%
2.41 years
30.00%
| Decreases
Decreases
Decreases
Decreases
|
| Other Assets
| $189
| Income approach
| Discount rate
Probability of events
Timing of events
| 4.04%
5.00%
6.25 years
| 4.04%
5.00%
6.25 years
| Decreases
Increases
Decreases
|
| Total
| $57,501,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts listed as
“–” are $0 or round to $0.
| (a)
| The valuation technique used as a basis to approximate fair value of these investments is based on a transaction price or subsequent financing rounds.
|
| (b)
| The valuation technique used to approximate fair value is based primarily on the transaction price at origination or subsequent arm’s-length financing
rounds, considered from a market participant perspective. The analysis incorporates both issuer-level and instrument-specific factors. As of the measurement date, the valuation designee has assessed whether any
internal or external developments would indicate that the transaction price is no longer representative of fair value, including changes in credit risk, repayment expectations, or expected cash flows, and has not
identified any such indicators. Accordingly, no adjustments to the transaction price were deemed necessary, and the venture debt instruments continue to be valued at par.
|
The Fund may incur certain costs
in connection with the disposition of the above securities.
Weighted averages for
unobservable inputs, including timing of cash flows, discount rates, and probabilities of achievement, are calculated by weighting each input based on the relative fair value of the associated projected cash flows or
milestones. Accordingly, the weighted averages reflect the relative significance of each input to the overall fair value measurement, rather than a simple arithmetic average. Significant changes in these
unobservable inputs, individually or in combination, could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.
b. Restricted
Securities:
Restricted securities are privately-placed
securities whose resale is restricted under U.S. securities laws. The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including unregistered securities eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A and
privately-placed securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers offered outside the U.S. without registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Rule 144A securities may
be freely traded among certain qualified institutional investors, such as the Fund, but resale of such securities in the U.S. is permitted only in limited circumstances.
c. Foreign Currency
Translation:
Foreign securities,
currencies, and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at
the exchange rate of said currencies against
the U.S. Dollar, as of the Valuation Time, as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board.
Foreign currency amounts are
translated into U.S. Dollars on the following basis:
(i) fair value of investment
securities, other assets and liabilities – at the current daily rates of exchange at the Valuation Time; and
(ii) purchases and sales of
investment securities, income and expenses – at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 17
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
The Fund does not isolate that portion of
gains and losses on investments in equity securities due to changes in the foreign exchange rates from the portion due to changes in market prices of equity securities. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign
currency gains and losses with respect to such securities are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment transactions balances.
Net unrealized currency gains
or losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation/depreciation in value of investments, and translation
of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.
Net realized foreign exchange
gains or losses represent foreign exchange gains and losses from transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts, exchange gains or losses realized between the trade date and settlement date
on security transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received.
Foreign security and currency
transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. Dollar.
Generally, when the U.S. Dollar rises in value against foreign currency, the Fund's investments denominated in that foreign currency will lose value because the foreign currency is worth fewer U.S. Dollars; the
opposite effect occurs if the U.S. Dollar falls in relative value.
d. Rights Issues and
Warrants:
Rights issues give the
right, normally to existing shareholders, to buy a proportional number of additional securities at a given price (generally at a discount) within a fixed period (generally a short-term period) and are offered at the
company’s discretion. Warrants are securities that give the holder the right to buy common stock at a specified price for a specified period of time. Rights issues and warrants are speculative and have no value
if they are not exercised before the expiration date. Rights issues and warrants are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are traded.
e. Options:
An option contract is a
contract in which the writer (seller) of the option grants the buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to purchase from (call option) or sell to (put option) the writer a designated instrument at a
specified price within a specified period of time. Certain options, including options on indices, will require cash settlement by the Fund if the option is exercised.
The Fund’s obligation
under an exchange traded written option or investment in an exchange traded purchased option is valued at the last sale price, or in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Gain or
loss is recognized when the option contract expires, is exercised or is closed.
If the Fund writes a covered
call option, the Fund foregoes, in exchange for the premium, the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price. If the Fund
writes a put option it accepts the risk of a decline in the market value of the underlying security below the exercise price. Over-the-counter options have the risk of the potential inability of counterparties to meet
the terms of their contracts. The Fund’s maximum exposure to purchased options is limited to the premium initially paid. In addition, certain risks may arise upon entering into option contracts including the
risk that an illiquid secondary market will limit the Fund’s ability to close out an option contract prior to the expiration date and that a change in the value of the option contract may not correlate exactly
with changes in the value of the securities or currencies hedged.
All options on securities and
securities indices written by the Fund are required to be covered. When the Fund writes a call option, this means that during the life of the option the Fund may own or have the contractual right to acquire the
securities subject to the option or may maintain with the Fund’s custodian in a segregated account appropriate liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities underlying the
option. When the Fund writes a put option, this means that the Fund will maintain with the Fund’s custodian in a segregated account appropriate liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the exercise price
of the option.
| 18
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
Summary of Derivative
Instruments:
The Fund may use
derivatives for various purposes as noted above. The following is a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments, not accounted for as hedging instruments, as of March 31, 2026:
|
| Risk Exposure Category
|
|
|
| Equity
Contracts
| Total
|
|
|
| Liabilities:
|
| Unrealized depreciation on:
|
| Written Options, fair value
| $66,020
| $66,020
|
| Total
| $66,020
| $66,020
|
The effect of derivative
instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six-month period ended March 31, 2026:
|
| Risk Exposure Category
|
|
|
| Equity
Contracts
| Total
|
|
|
Realized Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized
as a Result of Operations:
|
| Written Options
| $1,232,960
| $1,232,960
|
| Total
| $1,232,960
| $1,232,960
|
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized as a Result of Operations:
|
| Written Options
| $378,921
| $378,921
|
| Total
| $378,921
| $378,921
|
Information about derivatives reflected as
of the date of this report is generally indicative of the type of activity for the six-month period ended March 31, 2026. The table below summarizes the weighted average values of derivatives holdings for the Fund
during the six-month period ended March 31, 2026.
| Derivative
| Average Monthly
Notional Value
|
| Written Options Contracts
| $234,490
|
f. Security Transactions,
Investment Income and Expenses:
Security transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains/(losses) from security and currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and corporate actions are recorded generally on the ex-date,
except for certain dividends and corporate actions which may be recorded after the ex-date, as soon as the Fund acquires information regarding such dividends or corporate actions. Interest income and expenses are
recorded on an accrual basis.
g. Distributions:
The Fund has a managed
distribution policy to pay distributions from net investment income supplemented by net realized capital gains and return of capital distributions, if necessary, on a quarterly basis. The
managed distribution policy is subject to
regular review by the Board. The Fund will also declare and pay distributions at least annually from net realized gains on investment transactions and net realized foreign exchange gains, if any. Dividends and
distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from
U.S. GAAP.
h. Federal Income Taxes:
The Fund intends to
continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” ("RIC") by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is
required.
The Fund recognizes the tax
benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no
significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund's U.S.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 19
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
federal and state tax returns for each of
the most recent four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 are subject to such review.
i. Milestone Interests
The Fund holds financial
instruments which reflect the current value of future milestone payments the Fund may receive as a result of contractual obligations from other parties. The value of such payments are adjusted to reflect the estimated
risk based on the relative uncertainty of both the timing and the achievement of individual milestones. A risk to the Fund is that the milestones will not be achieved and no payment will be received by the Fund. The
milestone interests were received as part of the proceeds from the sale of six private companies. Any payments received are treated as a reduction of the cost basis of the milestone interests with payments
received in excess of the cost basis treated as a realized gain. The contractual obligations with respect to the milestone interests provide for payments at various stages of the development of Afferent, Amolyt,
Amphivena, Ethismos Research, Invetx and Neurovance principal product candidate as of the date of the sale.
The following is a summary of
the impact of the milestone interests on the financial statements as of and for the six-month period ended March 31, 2026:
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Milestone interests, at value
| $13,249,069
|
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Total distributable earnings
| $9,728,642
|
| Statement of Operations, Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
| $(457,514)
|
j. Other Assets
Other assets in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities consists of amounts due to the Fund at various times in the future in connection with the sale of investments in one private company.
3. Agreements and Transactions
with Affiliates
a. Investment Advisory and
Other Affiliated Fees
Aberdeen serves as the
Fund’s Investment Adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Fund. Aberdeen also provides administration services under the same agreement. The Adviser
is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Aberdeen Group plc. In rendering management services, the Adviser may use the resources of investment advisor subsidiaries of Aberdeen Group plc. These affiliates have entered
into procedures pursuant to which investment professionals from affiliates may render portfolio management and research services as associated persons of the Adviser. As compensation for its services to the Fund, the
Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee, computed and paid monthly, at an annual rate of (i) 2.50% of the average net assets for
the month of its venture capital and other
restricted securities up to 25% of net assets and (ii) for all other net assets, 0.98% of the average net assets up to $250 million, 0.88% of the average net assets for the next $250 million, 0.80% of the average net
assets for the next $500 million and 0.70% of the average net assets thereafter. Based on the Portfolio of Investments as of September 30, 2025 the aggregate fee would not exceed a rate when annualized of 1.36%. For
the six-month period ended March 31, 2026, the Fund paid the Adviser $2,891,159.
Effective upon the close of
business on October 27, 2023, the Adviser as Adviser of the Fund, entered into a written contract with the Fund to limit the total ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (excluding leverage costs, interest, taxes,
brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and any non-routine expenses) from exceeding 1.36% of the average daily net assets of the Fund on an annualized basis for two years (the “Expense Limitation
Agreement”). The Expense Limitation Agreement terminated on October 27, 2025. For the six-month period ended March 31, 2026 the Adviser did not waive any Fund's expenses pursuant to the Expense Limitation
Agreement.
b. Investor Relations:
Effective March 1, 2024,
under the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, Aberdeen is compensated to provide and may pay third parties to provide investor relations services to the Fund and certain other funds advised by Aberdeen
or its affiliates as part of an Investor Relations Program. Under the Investor Relations Services Agreement, the Fund owes a portion of the fees related to the Investor Relations Program (the "Fund's Portion").
However, investor relations services fees are limited by Aberdeen so that the Fund will only pay up to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund's average weekly net assets. Any difference between the capped rate of 0.05%
of the Fund's average weekly net assets and the Fund's Portion is paid for by Aberdeen.
Pursuant to the terms of the
Investor Relations Services Agreement, Aberdeen (or third parties engaged by Aberdeen), among other things, provides objective and timely information to shareholders based on publicly-available information; provides
information efficiently through the use of technology while offering shareholders immediate access to knowledgeable investor relations representatives; develops and maintains effective communications with investment
professionals from a wide variety of firms; creates and maintains investor relations communication materials such as fund manager interviews, films and webcasts, publishes white papers, magazine articles and other
relevant materials discussing the Fund's investment results, portfolio positioning and outlook; develops and maintains effective communications with large institutional shareholders; responds to specific shareholder
questions; and reports activities and
| 20
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
results to the Board and management detailing
insight into general shareholder sentiment.
During the six-month period
ended March 31, 2026, the Fund incurred investor relations fees of approximately $49,196. For the six-month
period ended March 31, 2026, Aberdeen did
not contribute to the investor relations fees for the Fund because the Fund’s contribution was below 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets on an annual basis.
4. Investment
Transactions
Purchases and sales
of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the six-month period ended March 31, 2026, were $293,747,022 and $305,229,678, respectively.
5. Capital
The Fund is
authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest at par value $0.01 per common share. As of March 31, 2026, there were 30,408,046 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
The following table
shows the shares issued by the Fund as a part of a quarterly distribution to shareholders during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026.
| Payment Date
| Shares Issued
|
| January 12, 2026
| 360,239
|
| March 31, 2026
| 449,115
|
6. Open Market
Repurchase Program
The Board has approved an open market
repurchase and discount management policy (the “Program”). The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, up to 12% of its outstanding common shares in the fiscal year, with the amount and
timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment adviser. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to NAV per share in the reasonable judgment of management based
on
historical discount levels and current
market conditions. If shares are repurchased, the Fund reports repurchase activity on its website on a monthly basis. For the six-month period ended March 31, 2026, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through the
Program.
On a quarterly basis, the Board
will receive information on any transactions made pursuant to this policy during the prior quarter.
7. Private
Companies and Other Restricted Securities
The Fund may invest
in private companies and other restricted securities if these securities currently comprise 40% or less of net assets. The value of these securities represented 8.15% of the Fund’s net assets at March 31,
2026.
The following table
details the acquisition date, cost, carrying value per unit, and value of the Fund’s private companies and other restricted securities at March 31, 2026. The Fund on its own does not have the right to demand
that such securities be registered.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 21
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
| Security
| Acquisition
Date
| Unfunded
Commitment
| Cost
| Carrying Value
per Unit
| Fair Value as of
March 31, 2026
|
| Abcuro, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 12/19/23, 8/10/23
| $0
| $1,278,614
| $5.49
| $1,274,994
|
| Abcuro, Inc., Series C1 — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 2/7/25
| 0
| 310,955
| 6.04
| 310,407
|
| Afferent Milestone Interest
| 7/27/16
| 0
| 24,556
| 0.00
| 0
|
| Amolyt Milestone Interest
| 7/12/24
| 0
| 684,946
| 159.72
| 1,093,996
|
| Amphivena Milestone Interest
| 10/18/22
| 0
| 0
| 0.00
| 0
|
| Arbor Biotechnologies, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 10/29/21
| 0
| 643,721
| 16.57
| 640,000
|
| Arbor Biotechnologies, Inc., Series C — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 9/27/24
| 0
| 1,604,052
| 4.11
| 1,599,998
|
| Atalanta Therapeutics, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 10/11/24
| 700,000
| 1,400,664
| 0.90
| 700,000
|
| Aviceda Therapeutics, Series C — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 12/17/24
| 395,906
| 229,636
| 5.76
| 224,091
|
| Biotheryx, Inc., Series E — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 5/19/21
| 0
| 3,206,642
| 0.51
| 307,992
|
| Chinook Therapeutics, Inc. CVR — Common Stock
| 8/14/23
| 0
| 0
| 0.32
| 18,900
|
| Crystalys Therapeutics, Inc., Series A — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 6/23/25
| 681,598
| 1,023,353
| 1.00
| 1,022,400
|
| Curasen Therapeutics, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 8/20/24, 1/7/25
| 0
| 663,305
| 0.48
| 661,624
|
| Curasen Therapeutics, Inc., Series A — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 8/20/24
| 0
| 4,359,807
| 0.48
| 4,339,083
|
| Curasen Therapeutics, Inc. — Convertible Note
|
| 0
| 441,083
| 100.00
| 441,083
|
| Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 1/21/22
| 0
| 1,402,998
| 4.72
| 1,399,998
|
| Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., Series C — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 4/19/24
| 0
| 357,879
| 6.52
| 357,646
|
| Engrail Therapeutics, Inc. — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 3/14/24
| 0
| 2,251,416
| 0.60
| 1,266,501
|
| Ethismos Research Milestone Interest
| 10/31/17
| 0
| 0
| 0.00
| 0
|
| Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CVR — Common Stock
| 7/10/24
| 0
| 1,791
| 1.38
| 4,493
|
| Glycomine, Inc., Series C — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 7/22/24, 3/26/25
| 0
| 1,594,944
| 0.60
| 1,593,063
|
| HiberCell, Inc., Series C — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 9/15/23
| 0
| 334,898
| 0.46
| 333,631
|
| HiberCell, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 5/5/21
| 0
| 1,608,462
| 0.41
| 538,380
|
| HiberCell, Inc. — Warrant, expiration date 9/15/28
| 9/15/23
| 0
| 1,294
| 0.00
| 1
|
| HiberCell, Inc. — Convertible Note
| 9/13/24
| 0
| 206,589
| 100.00
| 206,589
|
| HiberCell, Inc. — Warrant, expiration date 9/13/34
| 9/13/24
| 0
| 0
| 0.00
| 2
|
| HiberCell, Inc. — Convertible Note
| 1/9/26
| 0
| 320,000
| 100.00
| 320,000
|
| HiberCell, Inc. — Warrant, expiration date 1/9/36
| 1/9/26
| 0
| 0
| 0.00
| 0
|
| Hotspot Therapeutics, Inc., Series C — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 11/15/21
| 0
| 923,279
| 3.24
| 920,801
|
| Hotspot Therapeutics, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 4/22/20, 6/17/21
| 0
| 3,111,268
| 2.40
| 3,100,003
|
| Hotspot Therapeutics, Inc. — Convertible Note
| 4/12/24
| 0
| 323,870
| 100.00
| 323,870
|
| Incendia Therapeutics, Inc., Series A — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 8/12/21, 5/24/23
| 0
| 1,608,617
| 0.36
| 302,002
|
| 22
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
| Security
| Acquisition
Date
| Unfunded
Commitment
| Cost
| Carrying Value
per Unit
| Fair Value as of
March 31, 2026
|
| Incendia Therapeutics, Inc. — Convertible Note
| 4/18/24
| $0
| $738,460
| $100.00
| $738,460
|
| Incendia Therapeutics, Inc. — Convertible Note
| 9/9/25
| 0
| 257,586
| 100.00
| 257,586
|
| Invetx, Inc. Milestone Interest
| 9/4/24
| 0
| 1,305,241
| 49.81
| 697,272
|
| IO Light Holdings, Inc., Series A2 — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 4/30/20, 5/17/21,
9/15/21
| 0
| 1,395,847
| 0.00
| 42
|
| Neurovance Milestone Interest
| 3/20/17
| 0
| 1,505,684
| 336.45
| 11,457,801
|
| Nuvig Therapeutics, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 10/18/24
| 775,000
| 777,913
| 1.05
| 775,000
|
| Priothera Co. Ltd., Series A — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 10/07/20, 10/19/21
| 272,215
| 1,788,422
| 0.00
| 18
|
| Qlaris Bio, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 4/11/24
| 0
| 1,552,398
| 0.79
| 1,550,000
|
| Qlaris Bio, Inc. — Convertible Note
|
| 0
| 191,578
| 100.00
| 191,578
|
| Quell Therapeutics Ltd., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 11/29/21, 3/23/22,
2/18/25
| 0
| 1,609,803
| 2.08
| 1,760,000
|
| Recode Therapeutics, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 1/26/24, 10/21/21,
2/16/22, 9/15/23
| 0
| 1,451,259
| 9.23
| 1,440,001
|
| Recode Therapeutics, Inc. — Convertible Note
| 9/23/25
| 0
| 75,939
| 100.00
| 75,939
|
| Recode Therapeutics, Inc. — Warrant, expiration date 9/23/35
| 9/23/25
| 0
| 0
| 0.00
| 0
|
| Seismic Therapeutics, Inc., Series B — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 8/30/24
| 0
| 1,277,774
| 4.52
| 1,274,991
|
| Third Arc Bio, Inc., Series A — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 7/15/24, 4/24/25
| 0
| 2,214,779
| 2.10
| 2,209,999
|
| VeraDermics, Inc., Series C — Convertible Preferred Stock
| 10/14/25
| 0
| 1,403,305
| 63.15
| 6,902,611
|
| Willow Laboratories, Inc. — Common Stock
| 3/31/98
| 0
| 0
| 0.00
| 13
|
| Total
|
| $2,824,719
| $47,464,627
|
| $52,632,859
|
8. Portfolio Investment
Risks
a. Concentration Risk:
The Fund’s portfolio may be more
sensitive to, and possibly more adversely affected by, regulatory, economic or political factors or trends relating to the healthcare industries than a portfolio of companies representing a larger number of
industries. This risk is in addition to the risks normally associated with any strategy seeking capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of equity securities. As a result of its concentration policy, the
Fund’s investments may be subject to greater risk than a fund that has securities representing a broader range of investments and may cause the value of the Fund’s shares to fluctuate significantly over
relatively short periods of time.
b. Derivatives Risk
(including Options):
Derivatives are speculative
and may hurt the Fund’s performance. The potential benefits to be derived from the Fund’s options strategy are dependent upon the portfolio managers’ ability to discern pricing inefficiencies and
predict trends in these markets, which decisions could prove to be inaccurate.
c. Equity Securities Risk:
The stock or other security
of a company may not perform as well as expected, and may decrease in value, because of factors related to the company (such as poorer than expected earnings or certain management decisions), to the industry in which
the company is engaged (such as a reduction in the demand for products or services in a particular industry) or to the market as a whole (such as periods of market volatility or instability, or general and prolonged
periods of economic decline). Holders of common stock generally are subject to more risks than holders of preferred stock or debt securities because the right to repayment of common shareholders' claims is
subordinated to that of preferred stock and debt securities upon the bankruptcy of the issuer.
d. Key Personnel Risk:
There may be only a limited
number of securities professionals who have comparable experience to that of the Fund’s existing portfolio management team in the area of healthcare companies. If one or more
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 23
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
of the team members dies, resigns, retires
or is otherwise unable to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser, there can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found immediately.
e. Restricted Securities
and Valuation Risk:
Some of the Fund’s
investments are subject to restrictions on resale and generally have no established trading market or are otherwise illiquid with little or no trading activity. The valuation process requires an analysis of various
factors. The Fund’s fair value methodology includes the examination of, among other things, (i) the existence of any contractual restrictions on the disposition of the securities; (ii) information obtained from
the issuer which may include an analysis of the company’s financial statements, the company’s products or intended markets, or the company’s technologies; and (iii) the price of a security sold at
arm’s length in an issuer’s subsequent completed round of financing. As there is typically no readily available market value for some of the Restricted Securities in the Fund’s portfolio, such
Restricted Securities in the Fund’s portfolio are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee pursuant to the Fund’s valuation policy and a consistently applied
valuation process. Because of the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments determined in good
faith by the Valuation Designee may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the investments, and the differences could be material.
f. Risks Associated with
the Fund’s Option Strategy:
The ability of the Fund to
achieve its investment objective is partially dependent on the successful implementation of its option strategy. There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities used in connection with
the Fund's option strategy. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction
not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of
market behavior or unexpected events.
As the writer of a call
option covered with a security held by the Fund, the Fund forgoes, during the option's life, the opportunities to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the
premium and the strike price of the call but retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the Fund writes such covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from
capital appreciation becomes more limited. To the extent the Fund writes call options that are not fully covered by securities in its portfolio (such as calls on an index or sector), it will lose money if the portion
of the security or securities
underlying the option that is not covered by
securities in the Fund's portfolio appreciate in value above the exercise price of the option by an amount that exceeds the premium received on the option plus the exercise price of the option. The amount of this loss
theoretically could be unlimited. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligations as a writer of the option.
When the Fund writes put
options, it bears the risk of loss if the value of the underlying stock declines below the exercise price minus the put premium. If the option is exercised, the Fund could incur a loss if it is required to purchase
the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the market price of the stock at the time of exercise plus the put premium the Fund received when it wrote the option. While the Fund's potential gain as the
writer of a covered put option is limited to the premium received from the purchaser of the put option, the Fund risks a loss equal to the entire exercise price of the option minus the put premium.
g. Sector Risk:
To the extent that the Fund
has a significant portion of its assets invested in securities conducting business in a broadly related group of industries within an economic sector, the Fund may be more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in
that economic sector than funds that invest more broadly.
Biotechnology Industry
Risk. The success of biotechnology companies is highly dependent on the development, procurement and/or marketing of drugs. The values of biotechnology companies are also dependent on the
development, protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights and other proprietary information, and the profitability of biotechnology companies may be significantly affected by such things as the
expiration of patents or the loss of, or the inability to enforce, intellectual property rights. The research and other costs associated with developing or procuring new drugs, products or technologies and the related
intellectual property rights can be significant, and the results of such research and expenditures are unpredictable. There can be no assurance that those efforts or costs will result in the development of a
profitable drug, product or technology.
The biotechnology sector is
also subject to rapid and significant technological change and competitive forces that may make drugs, products or technologies obsolete or make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price
discounting. Companies in the biotechnology sector may also be subject to expenses and losses from extensive litigation based on intellectual property, product liability and similar claims. Companies in the
biotechnology sector may be adversely affected by government regulation and changes in reimbursement rates. Healthcare providers, principally hospitals, that transact with companies in the biotechnology industry,
often rely on
| 24
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
third party payors, such as Medicare,
Medicaid, private health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations to reimburse all or a portion of the cost of healthcare related products or services. Biotechnology companies will continue to be affected
by the efforts of governments and third-party payors to contain or reduce health care costs.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Risk. The success of companies in the pharmaceutical sector is highly dependent on the development, procurement and marketing of drugs. The values of pharmaceutical companies are also dependent
on the development, protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights and other proprietary information, and the profitability of pharmaceutical companies may be significantly affected by such things as the
expiration of patents or the loss of, or the inability to enforce, intellectual property rights. The research and other costs associated with developing or procuring new drugs and the related intellectual property
rights can be significant, and the results of such research and expenditures are unpredictable. There can be no assurance that those efforts or costs will result in the development of a profitable drug.
The pharmaceutical sector is
also subject to rapid and significant technological change and competitive forces that may make drugs obsolete or make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Companies in the
pharmaceutical sector may also be subject to expenses and losses from extensive litigation based on intellectual property, product liability and similar claims. Companies in the pharmaceutical sector may be adversely
affected by government regulation and changes in reimbursement rates. The ability of many pharmaceutical companies to commercialize and monetize current and any future products depends in part on the extent to which
reimbursement for the cost of such products and related treatments are available from third-party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations.
Managed Care Sector
Risk. Companies in the managed care sector often assume the risk of both medical and administrative costs for their customers in return for monthly premiums. The profitability of these products
depends in large part on the ability of such companies to predict, price for, and effectively manage medical costs. Managed care companies base the premiums they charge and their Medicare bids on estimates of future
medical costs over the fixed contract period; however, many factors may cause actual costs to exceed what was estimated and reflected in premiums or bids.
Managed care companies are
regulated at the federal, state, local and international levels. The evolution of the ACA and other regulatory reforms could materially and adversely affect the manner in which U.S. managed care companies conduct
business and their results of operations, financial position and cash flows. New laws or regulations
could drive substantial change to the way
healthcare products and services are currently delivered and paid for in the United States. A transformative overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system could impact the financial viability of managed care companies in
which the Fund may invest.
Life Science and Tools
Industry Risk. Life science industries are characterized by limited product focus, rapidly changing technology, extensive government regulation, and intense competition. In particular, technological
advances can render an existing product, which may account for a disproportionate share of a company’s revenue, obsolete. Extensive regulation can cause delays in product development, which may disadvantage a
company in an intensely competitive environment. These various factors may result in abrupt advances and declines in the securities prices of particular companies, and, in some cases, may have a broad effect on the
prices of securities of companies in particular life science industries.
Healthcare Technology Sector
Risk. Companies in the healthcare technology sector may incur substantial cost related to product-related liabilities, interruptions at their data centers or client support facilities, claims for
infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property rights of others, or infringement or misappropriation of their intellectual property. Each of these may adversely impact the prices of securities of
companies in the healthcare technology sector.
Additionally, the success of
healthcare technology companies depends upon the recruitment and retention of key personnel. The failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on healthcare technology
companies’ prospects for long-term growth.
Healthcare Services Sector
Risk. The operations of healthcare services companies are subject to extensive federal, state and local government regulations. A violation or departure from any of these legal requirements may
result in government audits, lower reimbursements, significant fines and penalties, the potential loss of certification, recoupment efforts or voluntary repayments. If healthcare services companies fail to adhere to
all of the complex government regulations that apply to their businesses, such companies could suffer severe consequences that would substantially reduce revenues, earnings, cash flows and stock prices.
A substantial percentage of a
healthcare services company’s service revenues may be generated from patients who have state Medicaid or other non-Medicare government-based programs, such as coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs
(“VA”), as their primary coverage. As state governments and other governmental organizations face increasing budgetary pressure, healthcare services companies may in turn face reductions in payment rates,
delays in the receipt of payments, limitations on enrollee eligibility or other changes to the applicable programs.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 25
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
March 31, 2026
Healthcare Supplies Sector Risk. If healthcare supplies companies are unable to successfully expand their product lines through internal research and development and acquisitions or are unable to successfully grow their
business through marketing partnerships, their business may be materially and adversely affected.
Quality is extremely
important to healthcare supplies companies and their customers due to the serious and costly consequences of product failure. Quality certifications are critical to the marketing success of their products and
services. If a healthcare supplies company fails to meet these standards or fails to adapt to evolving standards, its reputation could be damaged, it could lose customers, and its revenue and results of operations
could decline.
Healthcare Facilities Sector
Risk. A healthcare facility’s ability to negotiate favorable contracts significantly affects the revenues and operating results of such healthcare facilities. If a healthcare facility is
unable to enter into and maintain managed care contractual arrangements on acceptable terms, if it experiences material reductions in the contracted rates received from managed care payers, or if it has difficulty
collecting from managed care payers, its results of operations could be adversely affected.
Further changes in the
Medicare and Medicaid programs or other government health care programs could have an adverse effect on a healthcare facility’s business. In addition to the changes affected by the ACA, the Medicare and Medicaid
programs are subject to other regulatory changes which could materially increase or decrease payments from government programs in the future, as well as affect the cost of providing services to patients and the timing
of payments to facilities, which could in turn adversely affect a healthcare facility’s overall business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Healthcare Equipment Sector
Risk. The medical device markets are highly competitive and characterized by rapid change, which may affect a company’s ability to be competitive. They are also rigorously regulated and it
is anticipated that governmental authorities will continue to scrutinize this industry closely, and that additional regulation may increase compliance and legal costs, exposure to litigation, and
other adverse effects to operations.
Healthcare equipment
companies are substantially dependent on patent and other proprietary rights and failing to protect such rights or to be successful in litigation related to such rights may negatively impact the ability of healthcare
equipment companies to sell current or future products. Quality problems with the processes, goods and services of a healthcare equipment company could harm the company’s reputation for producing
high-quality products and erode its competitive advantage, sales and market share. Quality certifications are critical to the marketing success of goods and services. If a healthcare equipment company fails to meet
these
standards, its reputation could be damaged, it
could lose customers, and its revenue and results of operations could decline.
Healthcare Distributors
Sector Risk. Companies in the healthcare distribution sector operate in markets that are highly competitive and in an industry that is highly regulated and often subject to legal proceedings. Due to the
nature of the business of healthcare distribution companies, each of the above may have an adverse impact on the securities prices of companies in the healthcare distribution sector.
Healthcare distribution
companies depend on the availability of various components, compounds, raw materials and energy supplied by others for their operations. Any of these supplier relationships could be interrupted due to events beyond
the control of such companies, including pandemics, epidemics or natural disasters, or could be terminated. A sustained supply interruption could have an adverse effect on business.
h. Valuation Risk:
The price that the Fund
could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund's valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a
fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could
realize a greater than expected loss or lower than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. The Fund's ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing
services or other third-party service providers.
i. Venture Capital
Investments Risk:
The Fund generally invests
in venture capital opportunities. While these securities offer the opportunity for significant capital gains, such investments also involve a degree of risk that can result in substantial losses. Some of the venture
capital opportunities in which the Fund may invest are expected to be companies that are in a “start-up” stage of development, have little or no operating history, operate at a loss or with substantial
variations in operating results from period to period, have limited products, markets, financial resources or management depth, or have the need for substantial additional “follow-on” capital to support
expansion or to achieve or maintain a competitive position. Such additional investments may dilute the interests of prior investors, such as the Fund. Some of these companies may be emerging companies at the research
and development stage with no marketable or approved products or technology. There can be no assurance that securities of start-up or emerging growth companies will, in the future, yield returns commensurate with
their associated risks.
| 26
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (concluded)
March 31, 2026
These investments, which are considered
Restricted Securities, will be made primarily in convertible preferred stock. The Fund may also purchase non-convertible debt securities in connection with its venture capital investments, and otherwise when the
Investment Adviser believes that such investments would be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. While these debt investments typically will not be rated, the Investment Adviser believes that, in
light of the risk characteristics associated with investments in emerging growth companies, if such investments were to be compared with investments rated by S&P or Moody’s, they may be rated as low as
“C” in the rating categories established by S&P and Moody’s. Such
securities are commonly referred to as
“junk bonds” and are considered, on balance, as predominantly speculative.
9. Contingencies
In the normal course of
business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made
against the Fund, and therefore, cannot be estimated; however, the Fund expects the risk of loss from such claims to be remote.
10. Tax
Information
The U.S. federal
income tax basis of the Fund's investments (including derivatives, if applicable) and the net unrealized appreciation as of March 31, 2026, were as follows:
Tax Cost of
Securities
| Unrealized
Appreciation
| Unrealized
Depreciation
| Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
|
| $474,690,030
| $174,423,138
| $(87,070,078)
| $87,353,060
|
11. Segment
Reporting
Operating segments are components of a
public entity that engage in business activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, have discrete financial information available, and have their operating results regularly reviewed by the
public entity’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) when assessing segment performance and making decisions about segment resources. The Chief Financial Officer of the Fund acts as the Fund's
CODM. The CODM monitors the operating results of the Fund as a whole, and the Fund's asset allocation is managed in accordance with its Prospectus. The Fund operates as a single operating and reporting segment
pursuant to its investment objective and principal investment strategy. The Fund's portfolio composition, total returns, expense ratios and changes in net assets used by the CODM to assess segment performance and make
resource allocations are consistent with the information presented within the Fund's financial statements. Segment assets are reflected on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Total Assets”
and significant segment expenses are listed on the Statement of Operations.
12. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB
issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends quantitative and qualitative income tax disclosure requirements in
order to increase disclosure consistency, bifurcate income tax information by jurisdiction and remove information that is no longer beneficial. The Fund has adopted ASU 2023-09 as of March 31, 2026 with no material
impact on the Fund’s financial statements.
13. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated
the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.
Based on this evaluation, no
disclosures and/or adjustments were required to the financial statements as of March 31, 2026, other than as noted below.
On May 11, 2026, the Fund
announced that it will pay on June 30, 2026, a stock distribution of US $0.56 per share to all shareholders of record as of May 21, 2026.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors
| 27
|
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Trustees
Todd Reit, Chair
Jeffrey Bailey
Rose DiMartino
Kathleen Goetz
C. William Maher
Christian Pittard
Investment Adviser
abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
John Adams Building
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
191 West Nationwide Blvd., Suite 500
Columbus, OH 43215
Legal Counsel
Dechert LLP
1900 K Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Investor Relations
abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-800-522-5465
[email protected]
The Financial Statements
as of March 31, 2026, included in this report, were not audited and accordingly, no opinion is expressed thereon.
Notice is hereby given in
accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.
Shares of abrdn Life
Sciences Investors are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “HQL.” Information about the Fund’s net asset value and market price is available at www.aberdeenhql.com.
This report, including
the financial information herein, is transmitted to the shareholders of abrdn Life Sciences Investors for their general information only. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial
situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
This item is inapplicable to semi-annual report on Form N-CSR.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
This item is inapplicable to semi-annual report on Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
This item is inapplicable to semi-annual report on Form N-CSR.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
This item is inapplicable to semi-annual report on Form N-CSR.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
(a) Schedule of Investments in securities
of unaffiliated issuers as of close of the reporting period is included as part of the Report to Shareholders filed under Item 1 of this
Form N-CSR.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial
Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management
Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers,
and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
of Investment Advisory Contract.
Not applicable.
Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for
Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
This item is inapplicable to semi-annual report on Form N-CSR.
Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment
Companies.
(a) Not applicable to semi-annual report on Form N-CSR.
(b) There has been no change, as of the date of this filing, in
any of the portfolio managers identified in response to paragraph (a)(1) of this Item in the registrant’s most recently filed
annual report on Form N-CSR.
Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management
Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
| Period | |
(a) Total No.
of Shares
Purchased | | |
(b) Average
Price Paid per
Share | | |
(c) Total No.
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(1) | | |
(d) Maximum No.
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs(1) | |
| Month #1 (Oct. 1, 2025 — Oct. 31, 2025) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,551,843 | |
| Month #2 (Nov. 1, 2025 — Nov. 30, 2025) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,551,843 | |
| Month #3 (Dec. 1, 2025 — Dec. 31, 2025) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,551,843 | |
| Month #4 (Jan. 1, 2026 — Jan. 31, 2026) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,551,843 | |
| Month #5 (Feb. 1, 2026 — Feb. 28, 2026) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,551,843 | |
| Month #6 (Mar. 1, 2026 — Mar. 31, 2026) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,551,843 | |
| Total | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| — | | |
| | |
| |
(1) |
On June 30, 2011, the share repurchase program was announced, which has been subsequently reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees. In September 2025, the Board approved a change to the Program allowing the Fund to purchase, in the open market for a one-year period from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, up to 12% of its outstanding common shares as of September 30, 2025, with the amount and timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment adviser. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to NAV per share in the reasonable judgment of management based on historical discount levels and current market conditions. If shares are repurchased, the Fund reports repurchase activity on its website on a monthly basis. For the period ended March 31, 2026, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through the Program. |
Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
During the period ended March 31, 2026, there were no material
changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees.
Item 16. Controls and Procedures.
| (a) | The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar
functions, have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing
date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required
by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d15(b)). |
| (b) | There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined
in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End
Management Investment Companies
Not applicable
Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
Not appliable
Item 19. Exhibits.
| (a)(2) | Any policy required by the listing standards adopted pursuant to Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.10D-1) by the registered national securities exchange or registered national securities association upon which the registrant’s
securities are listed. Not applicable. |
| (a)(4) | Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1)
sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable. |
| (a)(5) | Change in Registrant’s independent public accountant. Not applicable. |
| (c) | A copy of the Registrant’s notices to stockholders, which accompanied distributions paid, pursuant
to the Registrant’s Managed Distribution Policy since the Registrant’s last filed N-CSR, are filed herewith as Exhibits (c)(1) and
(c)(2), as required by the terms of the Registrant’s SEC exemptive order. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| abrdn Life Sciences Investors |
|
| |
|
| By: |
/s/ Alan Goodson |
|
| |
Alan Goodson, |
|
| |
Principal Executive Officer of |
|
| |
abrdn Life Sciences Investors |
|
| |
|
| Date: June 8, 2026 |
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By: |
/s/ Alan Goodson |
|
| |
Alan Goodson, |
|
| |
Principal Executive Officer of |
|
| |
abrdn Life Sciences Investors |
|
| |
|
| Date: June 8, 2026 |
|
| By: |
/s/ Sharon Ferrari |
|
| |
Sharon Ferrari, |
|
| |
Principal Financial Officer of |
|
| |
abrdn Life Sciences Investors |
|
| |
|
| Date: June 8, 2026 |
|
ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT 99.CERT
EXHIBIT 99.906 CERT
EXHIBIT 99.(C)(1)
EXHIBIT 99.(C)(2)
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