SAN FRANCISCO– Bioluminescence Ventures (“BLV”), a biotech venture firm investing in next-generation medicines, today announced its emergence from stealth with $477M in assets under management across two funds: Bioluminescence Ventures Fund I, L.P., and Bioluminescence Ventures Fund II, L.P. The firm is supported by an investor base that includes U.S. and multinational institutional Limited Partners. BLV has invested in multiple U.S. biotech companies to date. The firm will continue investing in transformative companies that are developing preventative, disease-modifying, and curative treatments for patients with major unmet medical needs.
Bioluminescence Ventures was conceptualized to finance breakthrough platforms and support mission-driven leaders to develop first-in-class or best-in-class therapies – especially at a time when we are simultaneously experiencing both a golden age of biomedical innovation and the most difficult financing environment in a decade. BLV invests in companies with highly innovative platforms (biological or technological), developing novel therapeutics addressing large patient populations / major unmet medical needs, supported by strong data packages. The firm prefers to lead rounds – working closely with a company’s leadership team to complete diligence, negotiate equitable terms, secure the syndicate, and close the round with speed and efficiency.
“Innovation never stops, even when financing does. The recent COVID-19 global pandemic proved that the pace of biopharmaceutical innovation is rapidly accelerating. The 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis and the subsequent years of biopharma sector downturn proved that venture firms that continue to invest in breakthrough platforms – especially during financial downturns – can help make a meaningful impact on patients while generating strong financial returns,” said Founding and Managing Partner Kouki Harasaki, Ph.D. “The best way to help Founders and CEOs right now is to partner with them to secure strong syndicates and close rounds. Post-investment, investors must be able to provide interdisciplinary support – more than ever – to help their companies advance programs through preclinical and clinical milestones in a capital-efficient manner. We are incredibly fortunate to be supported by Limited Partners who have the heart to share our patient-centric mission, the perception to understand the unmet needs we are targeting, the trust in our approach to address them, and the vision to see the potential that will be realized together going forward.”
Bioluminescence Ventures’ portfolio currently consists of multiple companies including:
- Ensoma
- Nido Biosciences
- ReCode Therapeutics
- SURGE Therapeutics
Bioluminescence Ventures is currently assembling an exceptional venture team with experience across biomedical research, biomedical engineering, translational science, clinical development, and biopharmaceutical M&A and IPO advisory. In addition, the firm has recruited world-renown academic and industry advisors. BLV will announce the initial venture team and advisory board in the coming weeks.
“Bioluminescence is light emitted by living beings. It is a metaphor for our guiding light: patient impact. We see this light radiating from our mission-driven founders and CEOs,” said Dr. Harasaki. “We aim to support them with our time, energy, interdisciplinary expertise, and capital to make that light shine brighter.”
