Forbion Secures Record €2 Billion in New Funds to Propel 30 Biotech Companies

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October 21, 2024 – Netherlands and Germany – European life-sciences-focused venture capital firm Forbion has achieved its largest capital raise to date, securing over €2 billion across two new funds. The firm announced that its latest funds—Forbion Growth Opportunities III, which raised €1.2 billion, and Forbion Ventures VII, which brought in €890 million—have both exceeded initial targets.

These new funds are expected to invest in approximately 30 biotech companies, with each fund allocating resources to around 15 portfolio companies. This latest milestone raises Forbion’s total assets under management to €5 billion, strengthening its position as a key player in the European and North American biotech sectors.

“Forbion’s latest success not only reinforces our commitment to driving innovation but also extends the depth of support we can provide to our portfolio companies as they scale and maximize their potential,” said Sander Slootweg, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Forbion. “We continue to see exciting opportunities in Europe and North America, where talented management teams are pioneering novel therapeutics with the potential to transform the future of healthcare.”

Forbion’s portfolio includes standout successes such as Yellow Jersey Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Numab, acquired by Johnson & Johnson for €1.25 billion in May 2024, and Mariana Oncology, which was purchased by Novartis for €1 billion the same month.

The firm’s latest fundraising effort significantly surpasses the €1.35 billion raised by its previous funds—Forbion Ventures Fund VI and Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund II—in April 2023, marking a new high for the company.

Brian Frieser, Principal Portfolio Manager for Private Equity and Infrastructure at MN, highlighted the dual impact of investing in biotech. “Biotech investments not only offer strong returns but also contribute positively to society. Forbion’s new funds align with our clients’ goals of achieving both financial and societal gains.”

As investors increasingly recognize the societal benefits of biotech, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Forbion has seen growing interest from generalist investors, including pension funds. Slootweg noted that pension funds, previously more focused on traditional sectors, are now recognizing the crucial role biotech plays in driving innovation and societal progress.

This latest raise comes amid a broader surge in biotech investment. In recent weeks, Bain Capital Life Sciences and Arch Venture Partners both announced biotech-focused funds of around €3 billion, while Frazier Life Sciences secured €630 million for its fund targeting small and mid-cap biotech companies.

About Forbion
Forbion is a leading European venture capital firm focused on the life sciences sector. With offices in the Netherlands and Germany, Forbion invests in biotechnology companies developing innovative therapies with the potential to improve patient outcomes and transform healthcare.


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