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Bay City Capital

North America, California, United States, San Francisco

Description

Bay City Capital, established in 1997 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a distinguished venture capital firm exclusively dedicated to the life sciences industry. With over two decades of experience, the firm has cultivated a deep expertise in identifying and nurturing innovative companies across various sub-sectors, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. Their long-standing presence in the market underscores their commitment to advancing healthcare through strategic investments.

The firm employs a comprehensive investment strategy, engaging with companies across all stages of development, from early-stage ventures requiring foundational capital to growth-stage companies seeking to scale, and even public market opportunities. Bay City Capital is known for its hands-on approach, often taking a significant role as a lead or co-lead investor in financing rounds. Beyond providing capital, they leverage their extensive network, industry knowledge, and operational expertise to support portfolio companies in achieving critical milestones, navigating regulatory landscapes, and accelerating product development.

Bay City Capital has demonstrated substantial fundraising success, having raised over $1.6 billion in capital across numerous funds since its inception. Their latest fund, Bay City Capital X, successfully closed in 2021 with $300 million in commitments, further solidifying their capacity to make significant investments in promising life science innovations. This robust financial backing enables them to make substantial initial investments and provide follow-on capital, supporting companies through multiple growth phases. Their typical investment over the life of a company can range from $10 million to $50 million or more, reflecting their capacity for impactful capital deployment.

The firm boasts a strong track record of successful exits through initial public offerings (IPOs) and strategic mergers and acquisitions, validating their investment thesis and value creation model. Their portfolio includes numerous companies that have brought novel therapies and technologies to market, addressing unmet medical needs globally. Bay City Capital's consistent focus and deep specialization have positioned them as a key player in the life sciences investment landscape, contributing significantly to the sector's growth and innovation.

Investor Profile

Bay City Capital has backed more than 131 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 25 rounds, about 19% of its total and boasts 64 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series Unknown, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, The Netherlands, Iceland.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Pharmaceutical.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $40M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (24%)
  • Series Unknown (21%)
  • Series A (18%)
  • Series C (14%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (8%)
  • Seed (5%)
  • Series D (5%)
  • Series E (3%)
  • Private Equity (2%)
  • Debt Financing (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (92%)
  • The Netherlands (2%)
  • Iceland (2%)
  • Denmark (1%)
  • Canada (1%)
  • United Kingdom (1%)
  • Israel (1%)
  • Ireland (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Medical
  • Therapeutics
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Medical Device
  • Biopharma
  • Genetics
  • Manufacturing
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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 Bay City Capital frequently co-invest with?

Sofinnova Investments
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 11
Canaan Partners
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 9
New Leaf Venture Partners
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 9
Three Arch Partners
North America, California, United States, Portola Valley
Co-Investments: 8
New Enterprise Associates
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 15
MPM Capital
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 9
Aberdare Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 17
Novo Holdings
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Hellerup
Co-Investments: 10
Alta Partners
North America, Mississippi, United States, Jackson
Co-Investments: 11
Delphi Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Mateo
Co-Investments: 8

Which angels does Bay City Capital often collaborate with?

AZ
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Bay City Capital?

Oculis

Reykjavík, Gullbringusysla, Iceland

Oculis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development company focusing on ophthalmic drugs and novel drug delivery.

BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceutical
Series CMay 4, 2021
Amount Raised: $57,000,000
Bridge Medicines

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Bridge Medicines is a drug discovery company

Pharmaceutical
Series UnknownNov 13, 2020
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
Sembiosys Genetics

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

SemBioSys Genetics, a canadian biotechnology company, announced today that it has signed a feasibility agreement with dow agro-science

BiotechnologyGeneticsMedical
Series UnknownOct 1, 2020
Xilio Therapeutics

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Xilio Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops tumor-activated immuno-oncology therapies.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareOncologyTherapeutics
Series BMar 2, 2020
Amount Raised: $100,500,000
Imara

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Imara is provider of novel therapeutics for the people living with sickle cell disease and hemoglobinopathies.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyGeneticsHealth CareTherapeutics
Series BMar 18, 2019
Amount Raised: $63,000,000
NextCure

Beltsville, Maryland, United States

NextCure is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing next generation immuno-oncology-based drugs.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareOncology
Series BNov 13, 2018
Amount Raised: $93,000,000
Gossamer Bio

San Diego, California, United States

Gossamer Bio is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel and differentiated therapeutic products.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Series BJul 23, 2018
Amount Raised: $230,000,000
KBP Biosciences

Princeton, New Jersey, United States

A multinational clinical stage biotechnology company.

BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceutical
Series AJan 5, 2018
Amount Raised: $76,000,000
Oculis

Reykjavík, Gullbringusysla, Iceland

Oculis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development company focusing on ophthalmic drugs and novel drug delivery.

BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceutical
Series BJan 4, 2018
Amount Raised: $20,523,598
Gritstone bio

Emeryville, California, United States

Gritstone bio is a biotechnology company that develops immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Series UnknownOct 1, 2017