20 funds on Sesamers carry a biotech and pharma thesis, from RA Capital’s $14.4B global platform down to specialist longevity and microbiome funds. Ranked by published fund size.
1Rank
Seed through IPO – evidence-based healthcare and planetary health Boston, United States $14.4B AUM
Founded 2004, active from seed through growth, crossover and public markets, continuing to fund companies through IPO. Grounds decisions in its TechAtlas research engine and originates companies through its Raven incubator.
Why it is hereBy far the largest fund on this desk – a global platform investor that can follow a European biotech from seed to public listing.
2Rank
Early stage to growth – therapeutics, medtech, healthcare growth equity London, United Kingdom (and Boston) $4.0B raised over three decades
Healthcare specialist running dedicated biotechnology, dementia, growth equity and medtech teams staffed by 50+ investment professionals and operating partners.
Why it is hereThe deepest London-based healthcare specialist on this list, with three decades of European biotech investing behind it.
3Rank
Early to late stage – microbiome, medtech, digital health, industrial biotech Paris, France €1B AUM · €500K-€10M
One of Europe's longest-running venture firms, backed by Natixis. Its Health for Life Capital funds made it the reference investor in microbiome, nutrition and gut health.
Why it is hereThe go-to fund if your biotech touches the microbiome or nutrition – a genuine sub-specialism few other funds claim.
4Rank
Growth debt – VC-backed European tech, life sciences and climate/deeptech London, United Kingdom €575M · up to €100M
Non-dilutive venture lending for companies that want to grow without further equity dilution. Life sciences is one of three named sectors alongside broader tech and climate.
Why it is hereThe debt alternative on this list – relevant once a biotech has revenue or a funded pipeline and wants to avoid further dilution.
5Rank
Seed – life sciences and deep tech, mainly Europe Munich, Germany €1.2B committed · ~€1M tickets
Germany's only retail venture capital investor, with publicly accessible funds financed entirely by private investors. Run 17 funds since inception.
Why it is hereA genuinely unusual capital structure – retail-funded venture capital – giving it a different risk appetite from institutional peers.
6Rank
Pre-seed to Series A Berlin, Germany €2.5B platform AUM · up to €12M
The health-focused fund of Earlybird Venture Capital, with offices in Berlin, London, Milan and Munich, backing founders from pre-seed to Series A.
Why it is hereA well-networked pan-European early-stage specialist with access to Earlybird's broader €2.5B platform for follow-on.
7Rank
Early stage – aging and age-related disease Berlin, Germany (Luxembourg, Boston) Fund size not published
Invests in and co-founds early-stage biotech targeting neurodegeneration, precision oncology and RNA-guided medicines. Its Venture Lab builds companies directly with scientific founders.
Why it is hereA specialist willing to co-found alongside scientists, not just write cheques – relevant for very early, pre-company science.
8Rank
Series A onwards – agnostic across modalities Barcelona, Spain Fund size not published
Backs biotech from Series A across Europe and North America, with particular attention to Spain and Portugal. Provides evergreen support rather than working to a fixed fund horizon.
Why it is hereThe specialist for Iberian biotech – pairs naturally with BIOSPAIN on the events desk.
9Rank
Early stage – health and bio, European focus Berlin, Germany Fund size not published
Describes itself as a collective of entrepreneurs and scientists backing, connecting and advancing its members, looking for founders willing to venture into the unknown.
Why it is hereA community-first model, useful for scientist-founders who want peer support alongside capital.
10Rank
Pre-seed and seed – longevity biotechnology San Francisco, United States $35M
Successor to The Longevity Fund, founded by Laura Deming and Alex Colville. Backs therapeutics, tools and platforms targeting ageing and age-related disease.
Why it is hereThe purest longevity specialist on this list – small fund but a strong brand in a fast-growing sub-sector.
Another 10 funds carry the biotech and pharma tag. Fund size ranks RA Capital and SV Health first by a wide margin – both are large, diversified healthcare platforms rather than narrow biotech specialists. Seventure’s microbiome focus, age1’s longevity focus and Criteria Bio’s Iberian focus are the true sub-specialists worth knowing by name.
Common questions
Which biotech investor manages the most capital?
RA Capital Management at $14.4B AUM, active from seed through IPO. SV Health Investors follows at $4.0B raised over three decades.
Is there a European microbiome specialist?
Seventure Partners, through its Health for Life Capital funds, is the reference investor in microbiome, nutrition and gut health in Europe.
Is there a longevity-focused fund?
age1, the San Francisco-based successor to The Longevity Fund, is the purest longevity specialist on this list, though Apollo Health Ventures in Berlin also targets ageing and age-related disease.
Does Sesamers take payment for placement on this list?
No. Investors are listed because they carry a verified biotech thesis in the Sesamers database and are ranked by published fund size.