Investment Thesis

Early involvement is key

Backed by solid technological understanding, particularly through our relation with the EMBL, the central element of our investment thesis is a proactive contribution of Fund professionals in the venture creation process, tapping into high potential projects as early as possible, ideally already at conceptual research stage. We strive to supply what is most needed at the start of a venture: Financial backing together with commitment by the Fund professionals to create the critical aggregation point for a venture to get off the ground.

A clear need for innovation

We finance disruptive first-in-class technologies in an entrepreneurial start-up environment, followed by a partnering transaction with a suitable partner seeking to acquire external product innovation. With this approach, we leverage the combination of thirst for innovation on the one hand and risk averseness on the other that characterises many of the established players in the healthcare sector.

"Moving a project from a research lab to a company is a daunting process. When the ideas we generated in the lab warranted the establishment of Elara Pharmaceuticals, the task of converting an idea into a commercial entity was greatly helped by EMBL Ventures. Every step of the process has been guided by their expertise. Their task is a delicate one as they have to understand the mentality of the founders and the funders and to achieve benefits for both sides. From our experience with Elara Pharmaceuticals, EMBL Ventures succeeded exceptionally well in achieving our mutual goals."
Prof. Frank Gannon, PhD; Science Foundation Ireland, former Director of EMBO and co-founder of Elara Pharmaceuticals