Novartis Venture Fund

The Novartis Venture Fund (NVF) is the dedicated corporate venture capital arm of Novartis AG, a global leader in healthcare, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Established to identify and nurture groundbreaking innovation, NVF strategically invests in early-stage life science companies, spanning from seed rounds through Series B. Its core focus lies in novel therapeutics, advanced technology platforms, and emerging digital health solutions that hold the potential to transform patient care and align with Novartis's long-term strategic vision.

Operating with a degree of independence, NVF functions as a crucial bridge between external innovation and Novartis's internal R&D efforts. The fund seeks out disruptive technologies and business models, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to Novartis's extensive scientific and commercial expertise. This approach allows NVF to support ventures that, while potentially high-risk in their early stages, could yield significant advancements in medicine.

Since its inception in 1996, the Novartis Venture Fund has built a robust and diverse portfolio, demonstrating its commitment to pioneering life science ventures. The fund has notably invested in over 100 companies globally, showcasing its broad reach and active participation in the biotech ecosystem. Furthermore, NVF boasts a strong track record of success, having achieved more than 30 exits through either initial public offerings (IPOs) or strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A), underscoring its ability to identify and scale promising ventures. Typically, NVF's initial investment cheques range from $1 million to $8 million, reflecting its participation in capital-intensive drug discovery and development stages, from early-stage proof-of-concept to more advanced clinical development rounds.