Investor directory

Novo Holdings

Novo Holdings, established in 1999, is the holding company of the Novo Group, primarily managing the investment assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Based in Copenhagen, with additional offices in San Francisco and Boston, Novo Holdings focuses on two main investment categories: Life Science Investments, which encompasses funding life science companies at various stages of development, and Financial Investments, which entails managing a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities. As a prominent life science investor, Novo Holdings aims to create long-term value while ensuring that the Foundation can distribute returns for scientific, social, and humanitarian purposes to enhance public health and welfare. The company has also developed initiatives such as Novo Seeds, which supports early-stage applied research in life sciences, and invests in later-stage life science companies through growth equity. Novo Holdings maintains a strategic influence over affiliated companies, aligning their operations with the values and objectives of the Novo Group.

Focus

Scale StageTherapeuticsSeries ASeries BEarly VentureShow more
http://www.novoholdings.dk
https://takcharkh.com
https://crunchbase.com/organization/novo-a-s
https://linkedin.com/company/novo-a-s
https://pitchbook.com/profiles/fund/14870-71F
https://signal.nfx.com/firms/novo-ventures
https://www.capitaliq.com/CIQDotNet/company.aspx?companyId=980152

Scott Beardsley

Managing Partner, Life Sciences Operating Committee, Venture Investments

Jørgen Boe

Director

Emmanuelle Coutanceau

Partner

Thomas P. Dyrberg

Partner

Casper Tind Hansen

Principal

Karen Hong

Partner

Junie Lim

DIRECTOR, GENERAL COUNSEL (US)

Heather Ludvigsen

Investor

Peter Moldt

Partner

Søren Møller

Managing Partner

Jørgen Søberg Petersen

Senior Partner, Seed Investments

Past deals in Life Science

Biosyntia

Series B in 2022
Biosyntia ApS is a biotechnology company based in Hørsholm, Denmark, that specializes in developing biocatalysts for the fermentation of fine chemicals. Founded in 2012, the company utilizes a patent-pending high-throughput screening technology to create biocatalysts with remarkable speed and efficiency. By focusing on tailored biocatalytic processes, Biosyntia enables the production of complex chemical compounds through fermentation, significantly reducing both production costs and environmental impact compared to traditional chemical synthesis methods. The company collaborates with manufacturers of fine chemical compounds, including flavors, fragrances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, pigments, and additives, to promote sustainable manufacturing practices and contribute to a greener future. Biosyntia is located at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, approximately 25 kilometers north of Copenhagen.

Esco Lifesciences

Series A in 2021
Esco Lifesciences Group provides enabling technologies, products, and services for the life sciences and healthcare industries, supporting academic research and scientific discoveries, clinical practice, as well as biopharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing.

ESCAPE Bio

Venture Round in 2020
E-Scape Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Established in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company aims to improve the lives of patients suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and sphingolipid storage disorders. E-Scape Bio is advancing a pipeline of therapeutics that target specific genetic drivers of these diseases, including ESB1609, a small molecule S1P5 receptor agonist for CNS lysosomal storage disorders, and ESB5070, a kinase inhibitor designed for Parkinson’s disease patients with the LRRK2 G2019S variant. Additionally, the company is developing a program targeting ApoE4 in Alzheimer’s disease, emphasizing its commitment to precision medicine in treating genetically defined subpopulations.

Biosyntia

Series A in 2018
Biosyntia ApS is a biotechnology company based in Hørsholm, Denmark, that specializes in developing biocatalysts for the fermentation of fine chemicals. Founded in 2012, the company utilizes a patent-pending high-throughput screening technology to create biocatalysts with remarkable speed and efficiency. By focusing on tailored biocatalytic processes, Biosyntia enables the production of complex chemical compounds through fermentation, significantly reducing both production costs and environmental impact compared to traditional chemical synthesis methods. The company collaborates with manufacturers of fine chemical compounds, including flavors, fragrances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, pigments, and additives, to promote sustainable manufacturing practices and contribute to a greener future. Biosyntia is located at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, approximately 25 kilometers north of Copenhagen.

ESCAPE Bio

Series A in 2017
E-Scape Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Established in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company aims to improve the lives of patients suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and sphingolipid storage disorders. E-Scape Bio is advancing a pipeline of therapeutics that target specific genetic drivers of these diseases, including ESB1609, a small molecule S1P5 receptor agonist for CNS lysosomal storage disorders, and ESB5070, a kinase inhibitor designed for Parkinson’s disease patients with the LRRK2 G2019S variant. Additionally, the company is developing a program targeting ApoE4 in Alzheimer’s disease, emphasizing its commitment to precision medicine in treating genetically defined subpopulations.

Biosyntia

Seed Round in 2015
Biosyntia ApS is a biotechnology company based in Hørsholm, Denmark, that specializes in developing biocatalysts for the fermentation of fine chemicals. Founded in 2012, the company utilizes a patent-pending high-throughput screening technology to create biocatalysts with remarkable speed and efficiency. By focusing on tailored biocatalytic processes, Biosyntia enables the production of complex chemical compounds through fermentation, significantly reducing both production costs and environmental impact compared to traditional chemical synthesis methods. The company collaborates with manufacturers of fine chemical compounds, including flavors, fragrances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, pigments, and additives, to promote sustainable manufacturing practices and contribute to a greener future. Biosyntia is located at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, approximately 25 kilometers north of Copenhagen.

Fisher BioImage

Series B in 2002
Fisher BioImage ApS, a life science company, develops and sells assays for monitoring protein translocations and protein interactions in living cells. It provides Redistribution technology, which helps to monitor cell-based protein translocation assays using fluorescent protein reporters. The company offers assays to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as to academic groups for basic research.