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Sunstone Life Science Ventures

Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Copenhagen

Description

Sunstone Life Science Ventures is a prominent European venture capital firm headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, specializing in early-stage investments within the life sciences sector. The firm's core focus is on novel pharmaceutical ingredients intended for human therapeutic applications, encompassing a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical needs. Sunstone differentiates itself through a deep scientific understanding and a hands-on approach, aiming to support the translation of groundbreaking research into viable clinical solutions. Their investment philosophy is rooted in identifying and nurturing companies that possess strong scientific foundations and the potential for significant patient impact.

The firm typically engages in Series A funding rounds, providing crucial early capital to promising biotech and pharma ventures. Sunstone's initial cheque sizes generally range from €3 million to €10 million, translating to approximately $3.24 million to $10.8 million USD, depending on the prevailing exchange rates. They are known for often leading or co-leading investment rounds, demonstrating their commitment and belief in their portfolio companies. Sunstone has successfully raised significant capital across multiple funds, including their Sunstone Life Science Ventures Fund IV, which closed at €170 million in 2018, and their more recent Sunstone Life Science Ventures Fund V, which secured €200 million in 2022. This substantial capital base allows them to not only make initial investments but also to provide follow-on funding as their portfolio companies advance through clinical development.

Geographically, Sunstone maintains a strong presence across Europe, with a particular emphasis on the Nordic region, leveraging its robust life science ecosystem. Beyond capital, the firm offers strategic guidance, operational support, and access to an extensive network of industry experts, scientific advisors, and potential partners. Their team comprises seasoned professionals with backgrounds in drug development, clinical research, and venture capital, enabling them to provide valuable insights to their portfolio companies. Sunstone's long-term vision is to foster the growth of innovative life science companies that can bring transformative therapies to patients worldwide, thereby contributing significantly to global health advancements.

Investor Profile

Sunstone Life Science Ventures has backed more than 59 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 9 rounds, about 15% of its total and boasts 14 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in Denmark, Switzerland, United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Biotechnology, Medical.
  • Typical check size: $3.2M – $10.8M.

Stage Focus

  • Series Unknown (25%)
  • Series A (24%)
  • Series B (17%)
  • Series C (15%)
  • Seed (5%)
  • Series D (3%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (3%)
  • Private Equity (2%)
  • Pre Seed (2%)
  • Debt Financing (2%)

Country Focus

  • Denmark (44%)
  • Switzerland (14%)
  • United States (12%)
  • Sweden (7%)
  • United Kingdom (3%)
  • The Netherlands (3%)
  • France (3%)
  • Ireland (3%)
  • Germany (3%)
  • Finland (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Health Care
  • Biotechnology
  • Medical
  • Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Life Science
  • Genetics
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Wellness
  • Medical Device
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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 Sunstone Life Science Ventures frequently co-invest with?

Wellington Partners
Europe, Bayern, Germany, Munich
Co-Investments: 5
Omega Funds
Europe, Geneve, Switzerland, Geneva
Co-Investments: 5
Novartis Venture Fund
Europe, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, Basel
Co-Investments: 5
Ysios Capital
Europe, Pais Vasco, Spain, San Sebastian
Co-Investments: 6
Seventure Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 5
Forbion Capital Partners
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Naarden
Co-Investments: 7
Atlas Venture
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 5
Industrifonden
Europe, Stockholms Lan, Sweden, Stockholm
Co-Investments: 6
Novo Holdings
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Hellerup
Co-Investments: 16
Kurma Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 7

Which angels does Sunstone Life Science Ventures often collaborate with?

TM
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Copenhagen
Shared Deals: 1
JY
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
CS
North America, California, United States, Truckee
Shared Deals: 1
RZ
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Sunstone Life Science Ventures?

Resalis Therapeutics

Torino, Piemonte, Italy

Resalis Therapeutics sviluppa un farmaco in grado di inibire un micro-RNA per il trattamento di alcune malattie metaboliche

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsHealth CareMedicalPharmaceuticalProduct ResearchTherapeutics
Series AJan 4, 2024
Amount Raised: $10,947,495
Kynexis

Naarden, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Kynexis is advancing the first potential precision medicine for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS).

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
Series ANov 7, 2023
Amount Raised: $60,970,914
Minervax

Hellerup, Hovedstaden, Denmark

Minervax is a biotechnology company developing a novel vaccine against Group B Streptococcus.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife ScienceMedicalWellness
Series UnknownOct 11, 2023
Amount Raised: $57,367,288
DiogenX

Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France

DiogenX is a preclinical stage biotech company specializing in the development of pancreatic beta-cell modulators.

BiotechnologyLife Science
Series AMay 10, 2023
Amount Raised: $36,792,809
Teitur Trophics

Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark

Teitur Trophics is a biotech company developing novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceMedical
Series AMar 14, 2023
Amount Raised: $30,034,765
Rewind Therapeutics

Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium

Rewind Therapeutics is a developer of novel therapeutics intended to facilitate the treatment for neurological diseases.

BiotechnologyTherapeutics
Series AJan 25, 2023
Minervax

Hellerup, Hovedstaden, Denmark

Minervax is a biotechnology company developing a novel vaccine against Group B Streptococcus.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife ScienceMedicalWellness
Series CDec 15, 2022
Amount Raised: $23,405,251
TargED Biopharmaceuticals

Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

TargED Biopharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company that develops first-in-class biological drugs to improve treatment of thrombosis.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceutical
Series AFeb 19, 2022
Amount Raised: $44,156,009
Step Pharma

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Step Pharma is a biotechnology company.

BiotechnologyPharmaceutical
Series BMar 24, 2021
Amount Raised: $41,345,159
Ascelia Pharma

Malmö, Skane Lan, Sweden

Ascelia Pharma is a biotechnology company that provides novel drugs.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceutical
Post Ipo EquityMar 17, 2021
Amount Raised: $23,678,399