Updated:
Novartis Venture Fund
The Novartis Venture Fund was created to foster innovation, drive significant patient benefit, and generate superior returns by nurturing and investing in...
Novartis Venture Fund
The Novartis Venture Fund was created to foster innovation, drive significant patient benefit, and generate superior returns by nurturing and investing in innovative life science companies. It invests in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies at various stages of growth and development. The fund manages over USD 750 million in committed capital and more than 40 portfolio companies across North America and Europe, taking a hands-on approach with board and management.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
1996
Location
Region
Europe
Country
Switzerland
City
Basel
Corporate office
Basel, Switzerland
Principals
Adam Cotton
Principal, Cambridge, MA, USA
Anja Koenig
Global Head of NVF, Basel, CH
Bart Dzikowski
Managing Director, Head of Transactions & Legal, Basel, CH
Beat Steffen
Managing Director, Basel, CH
Elena Battistello
Analyst, Basel, CH
Florian Muellershausen
Managing Director, Basel, CH
Laura Brass
Managing Director, Cambridge, MA, USA
Marianne Uteng
Managing Director, Basel, CH
Mathias Frederiksen
Principal, Basel, CH
Michelle Ma
Associate, Cambridge, MA, USA
Samantha Guinn
Analyst, Cambridge, MA, USA
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Is the fund's capital entirely from Novartis, and does it invest for financial return or strategic alignment?
The fund invests capital from Novartis AG's balance sheet, making it a single-LP corporate venture fund. It pursues both financial returns and strategic insight, seeking to invest in transformative therapeutics while gaining a window into emerging science. Portfolio companies are not required to enter into commercial agreements with Novartis, which preserves their optionality and the fund's ability to invest based on scientific merit.
What investment stages and sectors does Novartis Venture Fund target?
The fund operates with a stage-agnostic mandate, investing from seed and early-stage startups through to late-stage and growth companies. Its sector focus is exclusively on life sciences, specifically biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies developing novel therapeutics. The fund does not invest in medical devices, diagnostics, or health technology platforms, maintaining a strict focus on drug development.
Who makes the investment decisions at Novartis Venture Fund?
Investment decisions are made by the fund's dedicated internal team, which includes managing directors with deep scientific and investment backgrounds. While the team operates with a degree of independence from the parent company, its governance structure is embedded within Novartis, meaning major commitments are subject to internal approvals that reflect the strategic and financial interests of Novartis AG.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on venture capital firms?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: