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Abingworth

Europe, England, United Kingdom, London

Description

Abingworth is a prominent international life sciences investment group with a rich history spanning over five decades. Established in 1973, the firm has consistently focused on collaborating with entrepreneurs to build and grow leading companies within the life sciences sector. With offices strategically located in London, Menlo Park, and Boston, Abingworth maintains a global footprint, enabling it to identify and support innovative ventures across key biotechnology and pharmaceutical hubs. Their long-standing presence and deep industry expertise have positioned them as a significant player in the venture capital landscape dedicated to healthcare innovation.

The firm's investment strategy is notably broad, encompassing all stages of company development, from nascent seed rounds to mature late-stage financing. Abingworth's portfolio diversifies across various life sciences sectors, including therapeutics, medical devices, and diagnostics, reflecting a comprehensive approach to healthcare investment. Over its extensive history, Abingworth has successfully raised over $2 billion across multiple funds, demonstrating robust financial backing and investor confidence. This substantial capital base allows them to make meaningful investments and provide sustained support to their portfolio companies.

Abingworth typically deploys significant capital into its portfolio companies. While specific first check sizes can vary depending on the stage and needs of the company, their initial investments generally range from $5 million for early-stage opportunities to as much as $50 million for leading later-stage rounds. This flexibility allows them to be a versatile partner, capable of supporting companies from their foundational development through to commercialization. The firm has invested in over 185 life sciences companies, underscoring their prolific activity and commitment to fostering advancements in medical science. Their approach emphasizes active partnership, leveraging their extensive network and operational experience to guide companies towards successful outcomes, including strategic partnerships, IPOs, and M&A exits.

Investor Profile

Abingworth has backed more than 186 startups, with 4 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 54 rounds, about 29% of its total and boasts 84 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, United Kingdom, France.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Pharmaceutical.
  • Led 2 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $50M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (25%)
  • Series A (21%)
  • Series C (16%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (11%)
  • Series Unknown (11%)
  • Series D (6%)
  • Private Equity (3%)
  • Post Ipo Debt (2%)
  • Series E (1%)
  • Convertible Note (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (70%)
  • United Kingdom (13%)
  • France (4%)
  • Switzerland (4%)
  • Germany (1%)
  • The Netherlands (1%)
  • Australia (1%)
  • Belgium (1%)
  • Sweden (1%)
  • Ireland (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Medical
  • Therapeutics
  • Biopharma
  • Medical Device
  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Life Science
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Abingworth frequently co-invest with?

OrbiMed
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 15
Omega Funds
Europe, Geneve, Switzerland, Geneva
Co-Investments: 12
New Enterprise Associates
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 16
MPM Capital
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 19
Versant Ventures
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 14
Atlas Venture
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 16
Frazier Healthcare Partners
North America, Washington, United States, Seattle
Co-Investments: 11
SR One
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 10
OUP (Osage University Partners)
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, Bala Cynwyd
Co-Investments: 10
Advanced Technology Ventures
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 14

Which angels does Abingworth often collaborate with?

ME
Europe, England, United Kingdom
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
WR
North America, California, United States, La Jolla
Shared Deals: 1
AU
Europe, Hallands Lan, Sweden, Kungsbacka
Shared Deals: 1
Mark W. Hahn
North America, North Carolina, United States, Chapel Hill
Shared Deals: 1
SR
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Shared Deals: 1
AZ
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Shared Deals: 1
VS
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 1
David Zaccardelli
North America, United States
Shared Deals: 1
DE
Europe, Zurich, Switzerland, Zürich
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Abingworth?

Glycomine

San Francisco, California, United States

Glycomine is an early-stage biotech working on replacement therapies for rare diseases.

BiotechnologyPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Series CApr 16, 2025
Amount Raised: $115,000,000
Atsena Therapeutics

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Atsena Therapeutics is a clinical-stage gene therapy company that develops novel treatments for inherited forms of blindness.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Series CApr 2, 2025
Amount Raised: $150,000,000
AdvanCell

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

AdvanCell is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company that develops novel cancer therapeutics.

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsOncologyPharmaceutical
Series CFeb 3, 2025
Amount Raised: $112,000,000
Timberlyne Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States

Timberlyne Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that develops therapies for autoimmune diseases.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth Care
Series AJan 9, 2025
Amount Raised: $180,000,000
Scorpion Therapeutics

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Scorpion Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company that specializes in precision medicine for cancer patients.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife ScienceOncologyPrecision Medicine
Series CJul 16, 2024
Amount Raised: $150,000,000
Myricx Bio

London, England, United Kingdom

Myricx Bio is a biotechnology company that develops novel NMT inhibitor payloads for ADCs to treat cancer.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceTherapeutics
Series AJul 8, 2024
Amount Raised: $115,311,437
Iambic Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States

Iambic Therapeutics is disrupting the therapeutics landscape with its unique AI-driven drug-discovery platform.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Machine LearningSoftwareTherapeutics
Series BApr 24, 2024
Amount Raised: $50,000,000
Q32 Bio

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Q32 Bio is a biotechnology company that develops treatments for patients with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquityMar 25, 2024
Amount Raised: $42,000,000
Gilead Sciences

Foster City, California, United States

Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes therapies for critical diseases.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareManufacturingPharmaceutical
Post Ipo EquityFeb 29, 2024
Amount Raised: $210,000,000
Jasper Therapeutics

Redwood City, California, United States

Jasper Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops novel antibody therapies for stem cell transplants.

BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquityFeb 6, 2024
Amount Raised: $50,000,000