
Biotechnology Value Fund
Description
Biotechnology Value Fund (BVF Partners L.P.), based in San Francisco, United States, operates as a specialized hedge fund with an exclusive focus on the biotechnology sector. While the provided description might suggest a specialization in early-stage financing, reliable public information indicates that BVF's core investment strategy primarily targets public and late-stage private biotechnology companies. The firm is recognized for its deep fundamental research and often takes significant, sometimes activist, equity positions in companies it identifies as undervalued within the market.
BVF's approach involves a thorough analysis of scientific pipelines, clinical trial data, and regulatory landscapes to identify promising opportunities. With assets under management (AUM) that have frequently exceeded $1.5 billion in recent years, the fund deploys substantial capital into its portfolio. Their investment thesis often centers on unlocking shareholder value through strategic engagement and long-term holding periods, rather than seed or Series A venture capital rounds.
Consequently, BVF's typical investment sizes are considerably larger than those associated with early-stage venture capital. The firm commonly deploys capital ranging from tens of millions to over $100 million per position. For instance, a significant stake in a public company might involve an investment of $50 million or more, while participation in a late-stage private or crossover round could see checks in the range of $20 million to $50 million. These figures reflect their strategy as a hedge fund focused on more mature, often publicly traded, biotech entities.
Investor Profile
Biotechnology Value Fund has backed more than 139 startups, with 14 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 37 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 74 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Post Ipo Equity, Series B, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Switzerland, Canada.
- Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Therapeutics.
- Led 4 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $20M – $150M.
Stage Focus
- Post Ipo Equity (38%)
- Series B (27%)
- Series A (13%)
- Series C (11%)
- Series Unknown (5%)
- Series D (2%)
- Post Ipo Debt (1%)
- Convertible Note (1%)
- Post Ipo Secondary (1%)
- Private Equity (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (81%)
- Switzerland (6%)
- Canada (4%)
- France (3%)
- The Netherlands (1%)
- United Kingdom (1%)
- Israel (1%)
- Ireland (1%)
- Germany (1%)
Industry Focus
- Biotechnology
- Health Care
- Therapeutics
- Pharmaceutical
- Medical
- Biopharma
- Life Science
- Oncology
- Medical Device
- Health Diagnostics
Frequently Asked Questions
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