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Record Breaking First Half For Start-Ups Raising Cash In Europe

 
• By Mike Ward

The first half of 2018 appeared promising for the European biopharma sector, with multiple large investment funds promising cash to young, innovative companies in the region – a turnaround after years of life science firms suffering from a funding drought across Europe.

Europe’s biotech start-up environment has been boosted by prominent venture capital groups launching new funds, and this investor enthusiasm looks to be sustainable. As the second half of 2018 got underway, Abingworth, which announced it had raised $315 million for its 12th fund ABV VII, said it intends to allocate about 50% of that sum in Europe, while Forbion, which announced a first close of Forbion IV at €275 million, is earmarking up to 80% of its money for European opportunities.

These two closings add to other prominent new fund launches by European venture capitalists during 2018. In February, Andera Partners...

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