GLG Partners says it plans to launch several new hedge funds this year, and is expanding its client relationships and distribution capabilities to regions where it has not been historically active.

According to a filing today with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, the London-based firm, which went public last year, said there are several other funds in the product development pipeline scheduled for launch this year and that over the last five years, it has added an average of five new fund products a year.

Last year, GLG launched the $940 million Emerging Markets Special Situations Fund, the $80 million Emerging Currency and Fixed Income Fund, the $180 million Emerging Equity Fund and the $70 million Loan Fund. 

The firm also said it is focused on developing a “much more significant global presence” and intends to expand its client relationships and distribution capabilities “in regions where we have not actively sought clients, particularly the U.S., the Middle East and Asia, and through new distribution channels and joint ventures.”

“We believe that clients and institutions in these regions could represent a significant portion of future AUM growth. For example, although the U.S. currently represents 57% of the total alternative asset management market, according to Hedge Fund Research, it represents less than 5% of our net AUM.”