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Biotechnology Value Fund

North America, California, United States, San Francisco

Description

Biotechnology Value Fund (BVF Partners L.P.), based in San Francisco, United States, operates as a specialized hedge fund with an exclusive focus on the biotechnology sector. While the provided description might suggest a specialization in early-stage financing, reliable public information indicates that BVF's core investment strategy primarily targets public and late-stage private biotechnology companies. The firm is recognized for its deep fundamental research and often takes significant, sometimes activist, equity positions in companies it identifies as undervalued within the market.

BVF's approach involves a thorough analysis of scientific pipelines, clinical trial data, and regulatory landscapes to identify promising opportunities. With assets under management (AUM) that have frequently exceeded $1.5 billion in recent years, the fund deploys substantial capital into its portfolio. Their investment thesis often centers on unlocking shareholder value through strategic engagement and long-term holding periods, rather than seed or Series A venture capital rounds.

Consequently, BVF's typical investment sizes are considerably larger than those associated with early-stage venture capital. The firm commonly deploys capital ranging from tens of millions to over $100 million per position. For instance, a significant stake in a public company might involve an investment of $50 million or more, while participation in a late-stage private or crossover round could see checks in the range of $20 million to $50 million. These figures reflect their strategy as a hedge fund focused on more mature, often publicly traded, biotech entities.

Investor Profile

Biotechnology Value Fund has backed more than 139 startups, with 14 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 37 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 74 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Post Ipo Equity, Series B, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Switzerland, Canada.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Therapeutics.
  • Led 4 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $20M – $150M.

Stage Focus

  • Post Ipo Equity (38%)
  • Series B (27%)
  • Series A (13%)
  • Series C (11%)
  • Series Unknown (5%)
  • Series D (2%)
  • Post Ipo Debt (1%)
  • Convertible Note (1%)
  • Post Ipo Secondary (1%)
  • Private Equity (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (81%)
  • Switzerland (6%)
  • Canada (4%)
  • France (3%)
  • The Netherlands (1%)
  • United Kingdom (1%)
  • Israel (1%)
  • Ireland (1%)
  • Germany (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Medical
  • Biopharma
  • Life Science
  • Oncology
  • Medical Device
  • Health Diagnostics
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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 Biotechnology Value Fund frequently co-invest with?

OrbiMed
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 19
Surveyor Capital
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Co-Investments: 21
CA
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 20
Samsara BioCapital
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 22
Casdin Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 15
RA Capital Management
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 32
Perceptive Advisors
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 21
Logos Capital
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 33
Janus Henderson Investors
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 25
Boxer Capital
North America, Florida, United States, Windermere
Co-Investments: 24

Which angels does Biotechnology Value Fund often collaborate with?

JT
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
PT
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
BG
North America, Washington, United States, Seattle
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Biotechnology Value Fund?

Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals

San Diego, California, United States

Inmagene is a clinical-stage biotech company developing innovative and differentiated therapies for immunological and inflammatory diseases.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth Care
Post Ipo EquityJul 28, 2025
Amount Raised: $75,000,000
Crescent Biopharma

Rockville, Maryland, United States

Crescent Biopharma is a biotechnology firm focused on developing novel precision-engineered medicines.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical Device
Post Ipo EquityJun 16, 2025
Amount Raised: $200,000,000
Verastem Oncology

Needham, Massachusetts, United States

Verastem is a biopharmaceutical company developing new medicines to improve the lives of patients with RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyPharmaceutical
Post Ipo EquityApr 25, 2025
Amount Raised: $75,000,000
Merida Biosciences

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Merida Biosciences is a biotech company focused on developing precision treatments, particularly for autoimmune diseases.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceTherapeutics
Series AApr 8, 2025
Amount Raised: $121,000,000
Ikena Oncology

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Ikena Oncology develops differentiated therapies to target cancer growth and resistance, focusing on Hippo and RAS signaling pathways.

BiotechnologyHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsOncologyTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquityDec 23, 2024
Amount Raised: $75,000,000
Rapt Therapeutics

South San Francisco, California, United States

Rapt is focused on the discovery and development of novel small-molecule agents to activate the immune system to eradicate cancer.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquityDec 23, 2024
Amount Raised: $150,000,000
Palvella Therapeutics

Wayne, Pennsylvania, United States

Palvella Therapeutics focuses on relentlessly and selflessly serving abandoned patient populations with therapies.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife ScienceTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquityDec 13, 2024
Ambrosia Biosciences

Boulder, Colorado, United States

Ambrosia Biosciences offers drug development services for small molecule-based therapies for obesity and other metabolic disorders.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth Care
Series ADec 10, 2024
Amount Raised: $25,000,000
Olema Oncology

San Francisco, California, United States

Olema Oncology is a preclinical biotechnology company that develops new drugs for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalOncologyPharmaceutical
Post Ipo EquityDec 2, 2024
Amount Raised: $250,000,000
Cidara Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States

Cidara Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that specializes in the fields of healthcare and therapeutics.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquityNov 21, 2024
Amount Raised: $105,000,000