The over-the-counter (OTC) drugs distribution industry in the US caters to the everyday health needs of consumers, offering a variety of products ranging from pain relievers to dietary supplements. Companies in this space include large pharmaceutical firms, digital pharmacies, and specialized distributors, focusing on making health products readily accessible to the public. Recent trends show significant growth driven by increasing health awareness and the convenience of online shopping. Innovative delivery systems and e-commerce strategies are transforming how OTC products reach consumers, highlighting the industry's adaptive nature at a time when self-medication is becoming increasingly popular.


This article explores prominent investors in the OTC drugs distribution sector, showcasing a mix of venture capital and private equity firms headquartered across the US. From Silicon Valley Bank in California to F-Prime in Massachusetts, these firms differ in size and investment focus, with 2024 deal counts ranging from 10 to over 800. Founded between 1849 and 2017, these investors collectively demonstrate a commitment to advancing the growth of the healthcare market, particularly in distributing over-the-counter medications.


Top 13 Over-the-Counter Drugs Distribution Investors in the US


1. OrbiMed

  • Website: orbimed.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 52
  • LinkedIn: orbimed-advisors

OrbiMed is a New York-based venture capital firm founded in 1989, specializing in healthcare investments. With approximately $17 billion in assets under management, OrbiMed focuses on biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. Notably, they have participated in significant transactions such as leading a $50 million funding round for Netmeds, an online pharmacy in India, which is directly involved in the distribution of pharmaceutical products. This investment highlights OrbiMed's commitment to supporting companies that enhance access to medications, including over-the-counter drugs. Additionally, their involvement in PharmEasy, another online pharmacy, further underscores their active role in the pharmaceutical distribution landscape.


2. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

  • Website: nea.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: new-enterprise-associates

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a prominent venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 1977. With a focus on investment management and advisory services, NEA specializes in supporting startups, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. The firm emphasizes long-term relationships with entrepreneurs, providing both funding and strategic guidance to help them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses. NEA has been involved in significant transactions in the healthcare space, including a Series B financing round for Oyster Point Pharmaceuticals, which raised $93 million to support the development of its product portfolio for Dry Eye Disease. Additionally, NEA participated in a Series A round for the same company, raising $22 million. These transactions highlight NEA's active role in the healthcare sector, which includes potential interests in over-the-counter drug distribution.


3. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses through structured programs, resources like the Startup School, and co-founder matching services. With over 4,000 startups launched, Y Combinator has established itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Notably, Y Combinator has invested in healthcare-related companies such as Alto Pharmacy, which raised $17 million in a Series B funding round in 2017, and Truepill, which has received multiple rounds of funding totaling $75 million in Series C, $10 million in Series A, and $3.4 million in a Seed round. Truepill's focus on healthcare technology and at-home lab testing platforms aligns with the distribution of healthcare products, including over-the-counter drugs, showcasing Y Combinator's interest in this sector.


4. Frazier Healthcare Partners


Frazier Healthcare Partners is a venture capital firm based in Seattle, Washington, specializing in healthcare and life sciences investments. Founded in 1991, the firm focuses on growth buyout investments in profitable healthcare businesses and innovative biopharmaceuticals. They have been involved in various significant transactions, including the acquisition of Comprehensive Pharmacy Services, which indicates their interest in pharmacy services that could relate to over-the-counter drug distribution. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Collegium Pharmaceutical, a company that develops abuse-deterrent formulations, which may include over-the-counter products. Their diverse portfolio and active engagement in the healthcare sector position them as a relevant investor in the over-the-counter drugs distribution market.


5. Pfizer

  • Website: pfizer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1849
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: pfizer

Pfizer Inc. is a leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology company founded in 1849, headquartered in New York, New York. With over 10,000 employees, Pfizer develops and produces a wide range of medicines and vaccines aimed at improving patient health outcomes globally. The company has been actively involved in various transactions that enhance its portfolio in the pharmaceutical sector. Notably, Pfizer's acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals in 2011 significantly bolstered its capabilities in pain management and emergency drug delivery, areas that are relevant to over-the-counter drug distribution. Additionally, Pfizer's venture investments, such as their participation in the Series B and C financing rounds for Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, demonstrate their commitment to advancing drug development, which may include OTC products. Overall, Pfizer's strategic investments and acquisitions position them as a relevant investor in the over-the-counter drugs distribution industry.


6. Vivo Capital

  • Website: vivocapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: vivo-capital

Vivo Capital is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 1996. The firm specializes in healthcare investments, providing venture capital, private equity, and public equity to companies that are innovating in the healthcare space. Vivo Capital has been involved in several significant transactions, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. Notably, they have led multiple funding rounds for Sagent Pharmaceuticals, which raised substantial capital to support product launches and development activities. These transactions, including a $53 million Series A financing in 2007 and subsequent extensions totaling $60 million, highlight Vivo's commitment to supporting companies that are integral to the pharmaceutical landscape. Additionally, their involvement with NextWave Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on CNS disorders and ADHD treatments, further emphasizes their engagement in the healthcare sector. This diverse portfolio positions Vivo Capital as a key player in the healthcare investment arena, potentially including interests in over-the-counter drug distribution.


7. Janus Henderson Investors

  • Website: janushenderson.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 39
  • LinkedIn: janus-henderson-emea

Janus Henderson Investors is a private equity firm based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in asset management, offering a diverse range of investment products such as ETFs, mutual funds, and managed accounts. With a global presence and a focus on helping individual investors, financial professionals, and institutional clients achieve superior financial outcomes, Janus Henderson has made significant strides in the healthcare sector. Notably, they participated in a $350 million funding round for PharmEasy, a key player in the pharmaceutical distribution space, which includes over-the-counter drugs. Additionally, their investments in companies like Elektrofi, which is developing drug formulation and delivery systems, further highlight their engagement in the pharmaceutical industry. These transactions demonstrate Janus Henderson's commitment to advancing healthcare solutions, making them a relevant investor in the over-the-counter drugs distribution market.


8. Invus

  • Website: invus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 35
  • LinkedIn: invus

Invus is a New York-based venture capital firm founded in 1985, specializing in equity investments and investment management. The firm partners with owner-managers across various industries to enhance business performance and create sustainable value, focusing on long-term growth. Invus has been involved in several notable transactions in the pharmaceutical sector, including a $93 million Series B financing for Oyster Point Pharmaceuticals, which is developing treatments for Dry Eye Disease. They also participated in funding rounds for Lyndra Therapeutics, which is working on innovative drug delivery systems, including a once-weekly pill for schizophrenia. These investments highlight Invus's engagement in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, which are closely related to over-the-counter drug distribution.


9. Silicon Valley Bank

  • Website: svb.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 31
  • LinkedIn: silicon-valley-bank

Silicon Valley Bank is a commercial bank founded in 1983, located in Santa Clara, California, specializing in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. They offer a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management, helping clients navigate financial challenges and support their growth. Notably, Silicon Valley Bank has been involved in significant transactions within the pharmaceutical sector, such as providing debt financing to QuVa Pharma, which raised over $200 million in total capital, indicating their engagement in the healthcare space. Other relevant transactions include funding for Eyenovia and scPharmaceuticals, both of which are involved in drug development and distribution. These investments highlight their capacity to support companies that may operate in the over-the-counter drugs distribution market.


10. F-Prime


F-Prime Capital is a venture capital firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1946. The firm specializes in creating and investing in healthcare and technology companies, providing both venture capital investments and advisory services to entrepreneurs. F-Prime has a global presence and expertise that enables them to effectively support start-ups in developing innovative solutions. Among their notable transactions, F-Prime has invested in PharmEasy, a significant player in the online pharmacy market, which raised substantial funding in Series C and Series E rounds. They also invested in Cipla Health, which is involved in the pharmaceutical sector, including over-the-counter products. Additionally, F-Prime has participated in funding rounds for Caplin Point Laboratories and NextWave Pharmaceuticals, further demonstrating their commitment to the healthcare industry.


11. Polaris Partners

  • Website: polarispartners.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: polaris-partners

Polaris Partners is a venture capital firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1996. The firm specializes in healthcare and biotechnology investments, partnering with entrepreneurs to provide funding and strategic guidance to help them innovate and grow their businesses. Polaris has a diverse portfolio that includes companies focused on transformative healthcare solutions. Notably, they have been involved in several funding rounds for Lyndra Therapeutics, which is developing innovative pharmaceutical delivery technologies, including a once-weekly pill for schizophrenia. Their investments in Lyndra span multiple funding rounds, including Series A, B, C, D, and E-K, indicating a strong commitment to supporting the company's growth and development. This focus on innovative drug delivery systems aligns with the potential for over-the-counter drug distribution, making Polaris Partners a relevant investor in this space.


12. Redmile Group

  • Website: redmilegroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: redmile-group

Redmile Group is an investment management firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in providing asset management and investment strategies to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. With a focus on the financial services sector, Redmile Group has made significant investments in the healthcare industry, particularly in companies involved in pharmaceuticals and digital pharmacy solutions. Notably, Redmile has participated in several funding rounds for MedAvail, a digital pharmacy company, including a $30 million Series C financing round and a $16.6 million Series D round. These investments highlight Redmile's active role in the over-the-counter drugs distribution sector, as MedAvail aims to enhance its commercial activities in the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, Redmile has invested in other pharmaceutical companies, further demonstrating its engagement in the healthcare investment landscape.


13. GV (Google Ventures)

  • Website: gv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: gv

GV (Google Ventures) is a venture capital firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, founded in 2009, with over $10 billion in assets under management. The firm provides funding and support to innovative technology startups across various sectors, including life sciences and artificial intelligence. Notably, GV has invested in Waltz Health, a startup focused on creating software solutions to reduce prescription drug costs, which aligns with the healthcare distribution landscape. Additionally, GV has participated in multiple funding rounds for Rani Therapeutics, a company developing the RaniPill, an innovative drug delivery system that could have implications for both prescription and over-the-counter medications. These transactions highlight GV's engagement in the healthcare sector, making them a relevant player in the over-the-counter drugs distribution space.



Over-the-Counter Drugs Distribution Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
OrbiMedNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-200198952
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200197757
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Frazier Healthcare PartnersSeattle, Washington, United States (USA)51-200199127
PfizerNew York, New York, United States (USA)10001+184910
Vivo CapitalPalo Alto, California, United States (USA)51-200199619
Janus Henderson InvestorsDenver, Colorado, United States (USA)1001-5000201739
InvusNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-200198535
Silicon Valley BankSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)5001-10000198331
F-PrimeCambridge, Massachusetts, United States (USA)11-50194639
Polaris PartnersBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)11-50199619
Redmile GroupSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50200715
GV (Google Ventures)San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States (USA)51-200200974


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