The biotechnology industry in DACH is vibrant and rapidly evolving. It includes companies focused on innovative therapies, diagnostics, and biomanufacturing. Startups and established firms collaborate to develop groundbreaking solutions in areas like cancer treatment and personalized medicine. Companies work on therapeutics, vaccines, and gene editing technologies, responding to urgent global health needs. As advancements in AI and machine learning gain traction, the industry is poised for significant growth. High levels of investment from both public and private sectors highlight the region’s commitment to transforming healthcare through biotechnology. DACH continues to be a hub for scientific research and innovation.


The biotechnology investors featured in this list include a range of venture capital firms and corporate investors from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. These firms vary in size, with many founded in the late 1990s to early 2000s, reflecting a strong historical commitment to the biotech sector. In 2024, these investors participated in numerous financing rounds, demonstrating their active role in fostering innovation. Collectively, they focus on supporting early-stage and growth-stage companies to bring novel health solutions to market, highlighting their importance in the advancement of biotechnology in the DACH region.


Top 18 Biotechnology Investors in DACH


1. Novartis Venture Fund

  • Website: nvfund.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10

The Novartis Venture Fund, founded in 1996 and based in Basel, Switzerland, is a venture capital firm that specializes in life sciences investments. The firm focuses on providing funding and support to innovative biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies, helping them develop novel therapeutics to address unmet patient needs. Notably, the fund has participated in significant transactions within the biotechnology sector, including investments in Bicycle Therapeutics, a company that has raised multiple rounds of funding to advance its clinical pipeline in oncology. Their involvement in Series A, B, and C funding rounds for Bicycle Therapeutics, as well as their investment in Merus, further underscores their commitment to supporting biotechnology innovation. The Novartis Venture Fund primarily targets businesses in the life sciences sector, making it a key player in advancing biotechnology solutions.


2. HBM Healthcare Investments AG


HBM Healthcare Investments AG is a venture capital firm based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in the healthcare sector, managing a diversified portfolio that includes investments in human medicine, biotechnology, medical technology, and diagnostics. In 2024 alone, HBM Healthcare Investments has made 8 investments, showcasing their active role in the market. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions within the biotechnology field, such as leading a $64 million Series D funding round for Galecto, a company focused on developing treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, they participated in multiple Series C funding rounds for Numab, which is advancing a multi-specific antibody pipeline in oncology and inflammation, raising approximately $110 million in one of those rounds. These transactions highlight HBM's strategic focus on biotechnology and their commitment to supporting innovative healthcare solutions.


3. Novartis

  • Website: novartis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: novartis

Novartis AG is a leading pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 1996. The company is dedicated to developing and manufacturing innovative medicines aimed at addressing serious diseases across various therapeutic areas. Novartis places a strong emphasis on research and development to enhance patient outcomes globally. Notably, Novartis has been involved in several key transactions within the biotechnology space, including investments in Intellia Therapeutics, where they participated in both Series A and Series B funding rounds, supporting the company's efforts in gene editing. Additionally, Novartis invested in Caribou Biosciences during their Series A and Series B funding rounds, further highlighting their commitment to advancing biotechnology. They also invested in C4 Therapeutics, which raised significant capital in its Series A round. These transactions underscore Novartis's active role in fostering biotechnology innovation and development.


4. Nextech Invest


Nextech Invest is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in biotechnology with a strong emphasis on cancer therapeutics. The firm invests in promising drug discovery companies and provides strategic support to help these firms navigate the complexities of drug development. In recent years, Nextech Invest has participated in several significant funding rounds within the biotechnology sector. For instance, they led a $55 million Series C financing round for Arvinas, which focuses on advancing clinical programs in oncology. Additionally, they were involved in a $56 million Series B financing for Jounce Therapeutics, aimed at developing monoclonal antibody cancer immunotherapy programs. Their investment in Hexagon Bio, which raised $77.3 million in Series B funding, further highlights their commitment to supporting innovative biotechnology companies. Overall, Nextech Invest's focus on biotechnology and their active participation in relevant transactions position them as a key player in the biotechnology investment landscape.


5. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm is dedicated to investing in biotechnology and agriculture, focusing on early-stage companies that are working on scientific breakthroughs to tackle major global challenges in health and food security. Leaps by Bayer provides not only funding but also active incubation to support the development of innovative solutions in these sectors. Notably, they acquired BlueRock Therapeutics for $1 billion in 2019, a significant move that underscores their commitment to biotechnology. Additionally, they led a $25 million Series A funding round for GRO Biosciences, a company developing non-standard amino acid protein therapeutics, and participated in a $239 million Series D round for Recursion Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on leveraging AI for drug discovery. These transactions highlight Leaps by Bayer's active role in advancing biotechnology solutions.


6. Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund

  • Website: boehringer-ingelheim-venture.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Ingelheim Am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5

Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund is a venture capital firm based in Ingelheim Am Rhein, Germany, founded in 2010. The fund is dedicated to investing in pioneering science and biotechnology innovations, particularly within the healthcare sector. They provide both capital and expertise to support startups in developing and commercializing their products. Notable transactions include a Series B investment in eTheRNA, which raised EUR 34 million to advance mRNA technologies for immunotherapy, and a Series A financing round for Actym Therapeutics, co-led by Boehringer Ingelheim, which raised a total of $59.5 million to support its oncology trials. Their investments in companies like T3 Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on live bacteria cancer immunotherapy, further emphasize their commitment to advancing biotechnology solutions.


7. Evotec

  • Website: evotec.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1993
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: evotec

Evotec SE is a corporate investor based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 1993. As a biotechnology company, Evotec specializes in drug discovery and development, collaborating with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms to provide a comprehensive range of services from discovery to manufacturing. The company is focused on innovative solutions and partnerships aimed at addressing unmet medical needs and improving the efficiency of bringing new therapeutics to market. Evotec has been involved in several notable transactions in the biotechnology sector, including: 1) Participating in a $96M Series A funding round for Cajal Neuroscience, which aims to expand its development efforts. 2) Engaging in a research collaboration with Blacksmith Medicines, which includes a significant potential deal size of up to approximately $300 million. 3) Acquiring Rigenerand for €23 million, enhancing its capabilities in cell therapy processing technology. These activities underscore Evotec's active role and commitment to the biotechnology industry.


8. BiomedVC

  • Website: biomedvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: biomedvc

BioMedVC is a venture capital firm based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in the life sciences sector, with a strong emphasis on biotechnology startups. BiomedVC provides not only capital but also strategic guidance to help these startups bring innovative medical solutions to market. Notably, BiomedVC has been involved in several significant transactions within the biotechnology context, including multiple funding rounds for Affimed Therapeutics AG, a company focused on developing therapeutic antibodies for cancer treatment. Their investments in Affimed include a Series E round raising $15.7 million in 2014, a Series D round of €15.5 million in 2012, and earlier rounds that supported the clinical development of Affimed's therapeutic pipeline. Additionally, BiomedVC participated in a Series A financing round for Inotrem, a French biotech company, which raised €18 million. These transactions highlight BiomedVC's active role in the biotechnology industry and its commitment to fostering innovation in health technologies.


9. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in life sciences, focusing on early- and growth-stage companies in sectors such as therapeutics and medical devices. Wellington Partners provides capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs, helping innovative startups develop breakthrough technologies and achieve market success. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions within the biotechnology space, particularly with immatics biotechnologies. They participated in multiple funding rounds for immatics, including a $104 million post-IPO equity round in 2020, a $58 million Series E financing round in 2017, and earlier rounds such as Series C and D. This consistent engagement in biotechnology investments underscores their commitment to advancing the field and supporting companies that are developing cutting-edge therapies.


10. Roche

  • Website: roche.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1896
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: roche

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is a healthcare company based in Switzerland, specializing in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Founded in 1896, Roche has established itself as a leader in developing innovative solutions for various health conditions, with a strong focus on cancer treatments and in-vitro diagnostics. The company has made significant investments in the biotechnology sector, including the acquisition of Spark Therapeutics for $4.8 billion, which enhances its capabilities in gene therapy. Roche also acquired Marcadia Biotech for up to $537 million, targeting advancements in diabetes treatments. Furthermore, their acquisition of Foundation Medicine for $2.4 billion underscores their commitment to precision medicine and cancer diagnostics. These strategic moves reflect Roche's dedication to improving health outcomes through biotechnology innovations.


11. HBM Partners AG


HBM Partners AG is an investment management firm based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in healthcare investments, focusing on venture, growth, and buy-out financing for private companies, as well as public company investments in the biopharma, medtech, diagnostics, and healthcare sectors. HBM Partners serves institutional and professional clients, providing capital and strategic support to enhance value creation. Notable transactions include leading a $110 million Series C funding round for Numab Therapeutics, which is focused on developing multi-specific antibodies for oncology and inflammation. They also participated in a $96 million Series B funding for Monte Rosa Therapeutics, and contributed to funding rounds for other biotechnology firms such as Forbius and Nabriva Therapeutics, further solidifying their role as a key player in the biotechnology investment landscape.


12. Pureos Bioventures


Pureos Bioventures is a venture capital firm based in Arth, Schwyz, Switzerland, that specializes in investing in innovative drug development companies, particularly in the biotechnology sector. The firm provides both capital and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, helping them advance their therapeutic solutions for severe diseases. In 2024, Pureos Bioventures was involved in several significant transactions, including leading a Series C funding round for Memo Therapeutics, which raised over $22 million to support the development of its drug for Phase II trials. Additionally, they participated in a Series D funding round for Alentis Therapeutics, which raised $181.4 million, further solidifying their role as a key player in the biotechnology investment landscape. Their focus on biotechnology firms seeking investment and expertise underscores their relevance in this industry.


13. Kizoo Technology Capital

  • Website: kizoo.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: kizoo

Kizoo Technology Capital GmbH, founded in 2000 and based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a venture capital firm that specializes in biotechnology investments. The firm is dedicated to supporting innovative health solutions and primarily invests in rejuvenation biotech companies. Kizoo's portfolio includes notable transactions such as a $10 million equity financing for AgeX Therapeutics, which focuses on preclinical development in the biotech space. Additionally, Kizoo has participated in seed rounds for companies like MAIA Biotechnology, which raised $1.5 million, and Turn.bio, further emphasizing their commitment to funding early-stage biotech startups. Their investments are aimed at helping these companies develop technologies that extend healthy lifespans, showcasing their focus on the biotechnology industry.


14. Bayern Kapital

  • Website: bayernkapital.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 27
  • LinkedIn: bayern-kapital-gmbh

Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in providing investment and growth capital to innovative high-tech startups and scale-ups in Bavaria, with a strong focus on sectors such as life sciences and software. Bayern Kapital supports its clients not only with financial resources but also by granting access to a network of industry experts, aiding them in navigating growth challenges. Notably, Bayern Kapital has participated in significant transactions within the biotechnology space, including a Series C financing round for CatalYm, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies for cancer, and a Series A round for mbiomics GmbH, which is focused on microbiome-based therapeutics. Their involvement in these and other biotech-related funding rounds highlights their active role in the biotechnology sector.


15. Verve Ventures

  • Website: verve.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: investiere-venture-capital

Verve Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in deep tech investments across Europe, providing funding and strategic support to science and technology startups. Their investment focus includes sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio, catering primarily to entrepreneurs and innovative companies seeking investment. Notably, Verve Ventures has been involved in significant transactions within the biotechnology space, particularly with Memo Therapeutics. They participated in Memo Therapeutics' Series C financing round, which raised over $22 million to support the development of their drug for Phase II trials. Additionally, they were part of earlier funding rounds for Memo, including Series A and B, which aimed to advance their antibody technology in immuno-oncology and infectious diseases. This active engagement in biotechnology investments highlights Verve Ventures' commitment to supporting advancements in the health and bio sectors.


16. Debiopharm


Debiopharm is a biopharmaceutical company based in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 1979. The company specializes in the development and manufacturing of innovative therapies targeting high unmet medical needs, particularly in cancer and infectious diseases. Debiopharm partners with academic and pharmaceutical institutions to bridge the gap between drug discovery and patient access. In recent years, they have been actively involved in several significant transactions within the biotechnology sector. For instance, they participated in a Series A financing round for Genialis, which raised over $13 million to expand its ResponderID platform for cancer patients. They also took part in a €16 million Series A round for ABAC Therapeutics, aimed at advancing antibiotic therapies. Additionally, Debiopharm was involved in a $10 million seed funding round for WhiteLab Genomics, a company focused on AI-driven solutions for gene and cell therapies. These transactions highlight Debiopharm's strategic focus on biotechnology and its commitment to fostering innovation in this field.


17. redalpine


Redalpine is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in technology and science sectors, providing funding and strategic support to startups. Redalpine has a particular focus on areas such as AI, health tech, and energy, but has also made significant investments in biotechnology. Notably, Redalpine has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Memo Therapeutics, a company dedicated to developing innovative therapies in the biotechnology space. Their investments include a Series A round in 2018, a Series B round in 2020, and a Series C round in 2023 and 2024, all aimed at advancing Memo Therapeutics' antibody technology and clinical trials. This track record highlights Redalpine's commitment to empowering innovative companies that address significant global health challenges.


18. TVM Capital Life Science

  • Website: tvm-capital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: tvm-capital

TVM Capital Life Science is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1983, specializing in investments within the life sciences sector. The firm provides funding and strategic support to innovative companies in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. Notably, TVM Capital has been involved in significant transactions in the biotechnology field, including multiple funding rounds for Bluebird Bio, a company focused on gene therapies for genetic diseases, where they participated in Series B, C, and D funding rounds totaling over $125 million. Additionally, they have invested in F-Star Therapeutics, which utilizes its Modular Antibody Technology platform to develop new antibodies, further demonstrating their active role in supporting biotechnology innovation. Their mission is to transform healthcare by backing breakthrough therapies and medical products, solidifying their position as a key player in the biotechnology investment landscape.



Biotechnology Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Novartis Venture FundBasel, Basel, Switzerland11-50199610
HBM Healthcare Investments AGZug, Zug, Switzerland1001-500020018
NovartisBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+19967
Nextech InvestZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50199813
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
Boehringer Ingelheim Venture FundIngelheim Am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany11-5020105
EvotecHamburg, Hamburg, Germany5001-1000019933
BiomedVCBasel, Basel, Switzerland1-1020032
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989
RocheSwitzerland10001+18965
HBM Partners AGZug, Zug, Switzerland11-5020010
Pureos BioventuresArth, Schwyz, Switzerland11-507
Kizoo Technology CapitalKarlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany1-1020001
Bayern KapitalLandshut, Bavaria, Germany11-50199527
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
DebiopharmLausanne, Vaud, Switzerland201-50019794
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
TVM Capital Life ScienceMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019830


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