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Advent Life Sciences

Europe, England, United Kingdom, London

Description

Advent Life Sciences is a prominent venture capital firm based in London, United Kingdom, with a dedicated focus on the life sciences sector. Established as one of Europe's leading investors in this domain, the firm primarily targets early- and mid-stage companies that are developing novel medicines and medical technologies. With a strategic emphasis on innovation, Advent Life Sciences aims to support the growth of groundbreaking biotech and medtech ventures from their formative stages through to commercialization. Their investment philosophy is rooted in a deep understanding of scientific and medical advancements, leveraging the extensive industry experience of their team.

The firm's investment strategy is characterized by its hands-on approach, often taking a lead or co-lead position in investment rounds. This active involvement allows Advent Life Sciences to provide not only capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to its portfolio companies. While headquartered in the UK, their investment scope is global, with significant activity across Europe and the United States. They seek out opportunities that address unmet medical needs and have the potential for significant market impact. Their portfolio spans a wide array of therapeutic areas and technological platforms, reflecting a broad yet specialized interest within the life sciences.

Advent Life Sciences has demonstrated substantial financial capacity, having successfully raised over $2 billion for investment in life sciences businesses since its inception. This significant capital base underscores their commitment and ability to fund capital-intensive research and development. As of recent reports, the firm has made investments in over 90 companies, showcasing a robust and diversified portfolio. Their most recent fund, Advent Life Sciences Fund VI, closed in 2022 with $223 million, further solidifying their capacity to back promising ventures. Typical initial investments from Advent Life Sciences range from approximately $5 million for early-stage participation to as much as $20 million when leading significant Series A or B rounds, reflecting their commitment to providing substantial early capital.

The firm's long-standing presence and consistent fundraising success position it as a key player in the global life sciences venture ecosystem. By focusing on companies with strong scientific foundations and clear pathways to clinical and commercial success, Advent Life Sciences continues to contribute to the advancement of healthcare innovation and the development of life-changing therapies.

Investor Profile

Advent Life Sciences has backed more than 65 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 23 rounds, about 35% of its total and boasts 15 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Series Unknown, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, United Kingdom, France.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical.
  • Led 2 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $20M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (26%)
  • Series Unknown (23%)
  • Series B (20%)
  • Series C (12%)
  • Seed (8%)
  • Private Equity (3%)
  • Series E (3%)
  • Convertible Note (3%)
  • Series D (2%)

Country Focus

  • United States (54%)
  • United Kingdom (34%)
  • France (5%)
  • Ireland (2%)
  • Norway (2%)
  • Switzerland (2%)
  • Finland (2%)
  • Spain (2%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Therapeutics
  • Medical Device
  • Life Science
  • Biopharma
  • Manufacturing
  • Information Technology
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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 Advent Life Sciences frequently co-invest with?

OrbiMed
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 7
Columbus Venture Partners
Europe, Madrid, Spain, Madrid
Co-Investments: 7
Novartis Venture Fund
Europe, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, Basel
Co-Investments: 5
CV
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 4
New Enterprise Associates
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 4
Forbion Capital Partners
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Naarden
Co-Investments: 5
Novo Holdings
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Hellerup
Co-Investments: 5
Arix Bioscience
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
SR One
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 4
Gilde Healthcare
Europe, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Utrecht
Co-Investments: 8

Which angels does Advent Life Sciences often collaborate with?

HT
Europe, Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands, Tilburg
Shared Deals: 3
BT
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Marblehead
Shared Deals: 4
SP
Europe, Germany
Shared Deals: 1
FM
North America, United States
Shared Deals: 1
JM
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Shared Deals: 1
SH
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Center Harbor
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Advent Life Sciences?

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
Relief Cardiovascular

Costa Mesa, California, United States

Relief Cardiovascular is an inQB8 medical technologies portfolio company.

HospitalMedicalWellness
Series AJan 8, 2025
Amount Raised: $12,000,000
Epitopea

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Epitopea is a transatlantic cancer immunotherapeutics company.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceTherapeutics
SeedOct 24, 2024
Amount Raised: $31,000,000
Moximed

Hayward, California, United States

Moximed develops innovative therapies for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical Device
Series DAug 13, 2024
Amount Raised: $61,000,000
Artax Biopharma

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Artax Biopharma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops new therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Convertible NoteAug 6, 2024
Amount Raised: $8,000,000
Beacon Therapeutics

London, England, United Kingdom

Beacon Therapeutics is an ophthalmic gene therapy company to treat blinding retinal illnesses and restore and enhance eyesight.

Health CareTherapeutics
Series BJun 3, 2024
Amount Raised: $170,000,000
Curve Therapeutics

Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom

Curve develops an innovative screening platform.

Biotechnology
Series AFeb 27, 2024
Amount Raised: $51,355,077
Argá Medtech

Epalinges, Vaud, Switzerland

Argá Medtech is an Innovative Cardiac Ablation System for treating cardiac arrhythmias.

ManufacturingMedical
Series BFeb 27, 2024
Amount Raised: $58,538,679
Nalu Medical

Carlsbad, California, United States

Nalu Medical is a medical technology company that develops innovative solutions for patients with chronic neuropathic pain.

Health CareMedicalMedical Device
Series EJan 3, 2024
Amount Raised: $85,000,000
PIC Therapeutics

Natick, Massachusetts, United States

PIC Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on transforming the treatment of cancer.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
Series AOct 19, 2022
Amount Raised: $35,000,000