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Novaquest Capital Management

North America, North Carolina, United States, Raleigh

Description

NovaQuest Capital Management is a prominent investment firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in providing customized capital solutions to companies across the life sciences sector, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device firms. Established with a deep understanding of the biopharma industry, NovaQuest differentiates itself by offering flexible financing structures tailored to the unique needs of its portfolio companies, moving beyond traditional venture capital or private equity models. The firm has demonstrated significant scale, having raised over $3.5 billion in capital across its various funds since its inception.

NovaQuest employs three primary investment strategies. Its Product Finance strategy provides non-dilutive capital, often against future product sales, targeting commercial or near-commercial stage products. This approach allows biopharma companies to access substantial funding without equity dilution. The Strategic Opportunities strategy offers flexible capital for a broader range of situations, such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate spin-outs, or late-stage product development. Lastly, its Private Equity arm focuses on growth equity and buyout investments in life sciences service and technology companies, supporting the infrastructure and innovation ecosystem of the industry.

With a robust track record, NovaQuest Capital Management has completed over 30 transactions, deploying significant capital to support the growth and strategic initiatives of its partners. For instance, in 2021, the firm closed its NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund V with commitments totaling $1.2 billion, underscoring its continued capacity for large-scale investments. The firm's ability to structure complex, multi-million dollar deals, such as a reported $200 million financing agreement with Horizon Therapeutics, highlights its capability to provide substantial financial backing, making it a key player for established and rapidly growing life sciences enterprises seeking bespoke capital solutions.

Investor Profile

Novaquest Capital Management has backed more than 28 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 13 rounds, about 46% of its total and boasts 12 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Private Equity, Series A, Post Ipo Equity rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, New Zealand, Switzerland.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Pharmaceutical.
  • Typical check size: $25M – $250M.

Stage Focus

  • Private Equity (25%)
  • Series A (21%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (11%)
  • Series D (11%)
  • Series Unknown (7%)
  • Series C (7%)
  • Debt Financing (4%)
  • Series E (4%)
  • Post Ipo Debt (4%)
  • Grant (4%)

Country Focus

  • United States (71%)
  • New Zealand (7%)
  • Switzerland (7%)
  • United Kingdom (4%)
  • Sweden (4%)
  • Australia (4%)
  • Israel (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Therapeutics
  • Medical
  • Biopharma
  • Life Science
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Veterinary
  • Hospital
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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 Novaquest Capital Management frequently co-invest with?

OrbiMed
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Gimv
Europe, Antwerpen, Belgium, Antwerpen
Co-Investments: 2
New Leaf Venture Partners
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
MedImmune Ventures
North America, Maryland, United States, Gaithersburg
Co-Investments: 2
Radius Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Essex Woodlands Healthcare Partners
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 3
Apposite Capital
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 2
EDBI
Asia, Central Region, Singapore, Singapore
Co-Investments: 2
Forward Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Diego
Co-Investments: 2
Roche Venture Fund
Europe, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, Basel
Co-Investments: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Novaquest Capital Management?

Gallant Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States

Gallant Therapeutics is an animal health biotechnology company.

Biotechnology
Series BJun 30, 2025
Amount Raised: $18,000,000
Mirna

Whitburn, West Lothian, United Kingdom

Mirna is a veterinary diagnostics company that specializes in the development of veterinary disease testing technology.

Health DiagnosticsPetVeterinary
Series AJul 2, 2024
Amount Raised: $4,042,415
Phathom Pharmaceuticals

Florham Park, New Jersey, United States

Phathom Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company.

BiotechnologyPharmaceutical
Post Ipo DebtNov 1, 2022
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
Hansa Biopharma

Lund, Skane Lan, Sweden

Hansa Biopharma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops immunomodulatory treatments for people living with rare immunological diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth Care
GrantJul 18, 2022
Amount Raised: $70,000,000
TARGAN

Morrisville, North Carolina, United States

TARGAN is a bio-systems company focused on improving animal health and productivity in the poultry, livestock, and aquaculture industries.

AquacultureBiotechnologyInnovation ManagementLife Science
Series CMay 25, 2022
Amount Raised: $35,000,000
Dermavant Sciences

Long Beach, California, United States

Dermavant Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on dermatology.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
Private EquityJun 7, 2021
Amount Raised: $160,000,000
Argenta

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Argenta is a contract research organization (CRO) and contract manufacturing organization (CMO) specializing in animal health.

ManufacturingMedicalPharmaceuticalVeterinary
Private EquityMay 20, 2021
Amount Raised: $30,000,000
Aceragen

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Aceragen is a developer of therapeutic treatments intended for rare and ultra-rare diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceutical
Private EquityMay 3, 2021
Amount Raised: $35,000,000
Cerevel Therapeutics

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Cerevel Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that develops drugs to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.

BiotechnologyPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquityApr 13, 2021
Amount Raised: $125,000,000
Mileutis

Gan Yavne, HaMerkaz, Israel

Mileutis is a clinical-stage company focused on developing and commercializing natural and novel peptides for animal and human health.

AgTechBiotechnologyClinical Trials
Series UnknownOct 19, 2020
Amount Raised: $20,000,000