Gimv strengthens its position in life sciences venture capital with the creation of a new dedicated platform

After solid growth within Gimv’s existing Healthcare platform, a dedicated Life Sciences platform will strengthen the role of Gimv in the international life science VC ecosystem. The key investment focus remains to look for solutions to the many unmet healthcare needs.

The Life Sciences platform builds on the success and excellent returns generated by portfolio companies over four decades, including companies like Ablynx, where Gimv was a founding investor and Covagen, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Current investments include Precirix, ImCheck, and ImmunOs, which recently raised $74 million in a Series B round led by Gimv.

With this new platform, Gimv can further strengthen its capacity to invest larger tickets, with a typical initial investment of €10-15 million per company. With the aim to almost double its current portfolio to around 20 companies, Gimv will retain its Series A and B investment strategy with a particular focus on drug development. Other investment areas will include medical technology, digital health, life science tools and agro-biotechnology.

Bram Vanparys*, who was a Partner in the Gimv Healthcare Platform, has been appointed to lead the new team of seven dedicated life science venture capital professionals, which will be further expanded over the coming years.

Koen Dejonckheere, Chief Executive Officer of Gimv, commented: “In addition to our four existing investment platforms Sustainable Cities, Smart Industries, Consumer and Healthcare, our newly launched Life Sciences platform will enable us to build on the strong track record of Gimv in Life Sciences investments. Additionally, it will help strengthen our position at the forefront of the European life science ecosystem, which is acknowledged globally for its innovation and excellence in developing lifesaving therapeutics.”

Bram Vanparys*, Managing Partner and Head of Life Sciences at Gimv, said: “The launch of the new Life Sciences platform represents an exciting next step for Gimv in the sector. We will be able to further focus our work on providing venture capital to companies with promising new therapies for patients. Together with the rest of the team, I look forward to this new chapter for Gimv.”

Bart Diels**, Managing Partner and Head of Healthcare at Gimv, added: “After the establishment of a strong portfolio within the Healthcare platform, it is the right time to launch a targeted Life Sciences platform. Having a VC centered Life Sciences platform separate from a PE centered Healthcare platform allows more focus for both teams while preserving potential synergies. We’re convinced that our specialised approach, backed by an experienced team, is one of the core differentiators of Gimv’s investment strategy. I am proud of what we have achieved together over the past years and have great confidence in Bram and the team to further strengthen our Life Sciences franchise.”

*Acting on behalf of Root bv
**Acting on behalf of Candor Consult bv