Vivo Capital

Vivo Capital, LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm established in 1996 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in Asia. The firm specializes in investing in healthcare sectors, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services, primarily focusing on companies in the United States and East Asia. Vivo Capital manages approximately $5.8 billion in assets and has invested in over 290 public and private companies globally. The firm employs a multi-fund investment strategy, targeting various financing stages from early-stage ventures to public companies, and typically invests between $2 million and $40 million. Vivo Capital's team consists of more than 50 professionals with diverse expertise in medical, scientific, and entrepreneurial fields, allowing the firm to identify and nurture high-quality companies within the healthcare industry.

Gaurav Aggarwal

Managing Partner

Cyber Cao

Managing Director

Michael Chang

Managing Partner

Kevin Dai

Managing Director

Nathan Dau

Managing Director

Edgar G. Engleman

Co-Founder, Managing Partner & Chief Scientific Advisor

Nina Feng

Principal, Investor Relations & Chief Representative of Taiwan Office

Shan Fu

Managing Partner

Kung, Frank F. C.

Managing Partner

Hwachie Lee

Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of China

David Liu

Managing Director

Zhongyi Lu

Principal

Katera Mujadidi

Principal

Jack Nielsen

Managing Partner

Fabianne Nordenson

Principal

Daniel Qin

Associate

Mahendra G. Shah

Senior Fellow

Sue Shao

Associate

Joseph Siletto

Managing Director

Priscilla Sugianto

Principal

Lawrence Wang

Managing Director

Daisy Xu

Managing Director

Chloe Zhang

Principal

Ethan Zhao

Associate

Past deals in Clinical Trials

DBV Technologies

Post in 2022
DBV Technologies S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of epicutaneous immunotherapy products aimed at treating food allergies. The company’s lead candidate, Viaskin Peanut, has completed Phase III clinical trials for peanut allergies in children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, DBV is developing Viaskin Milk, which is in Phase I/II trials for cow's milk protein allergy and related conditions, and Viaskin Egg, which is in pre-clinical stages for hen’s egg allergy. The company is also working on a booster vaccine for Bordetella pertussis, along with earlier-stage research programs targeting respiratory syncytial virus, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and type I diabetes. DBV Technologies collaborates with Nestlé Health Science to create MAG1C, a diagnostic patch test for non-IgE mediated cow's milk protein allergy in infants and toddlers. Founded in 2002, the company is headquartered in Montrouge, France.
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Singapore, specializing in immunology and oncology. Founded in 2010, the company focuses on developing innovative treatments aimed at improving patient outcomes. Its clinical portfolio includes ASLAN004, a monoclonal antibody therapy for atopic dermatitis and other immunological conditions, as well as small molecule inhibitors targeting various cancer types. ASLAN collaborates with notable partners such as Almirall, Array BioPharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and CSL Limited to enhance its research and development efforts. The company is dedicated to creating novel medicines for both Asian and global markets.

IO Biotech

Series B in 2021
IO Biotech ApS is a clinical stage biotech company developing disruptive immune therapies i.e. checkpoint/cancer vaccines. Checkpoint/cancer vaccines suppress the function of regulatory immune cells and induce inflammation in the microenvironment in addition to direct targeting of cancer cells.

Serán Bioscience

Acquisition in 2021
Serán is a contract development and manufacturing organization providing a comprehensive suite of development, analytical and clinical manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Serán Bioscience

Venture Round in 2021
Serán is a contract development and manufacturing organization providing a comprehensive suite of development, analytical and clinical manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Citrine Medicine

Series A in 2020
Citrine Medicine is a rare disease-focused pharmaceutical firm.

Tranquis Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Tranquis Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company, engages in developing immuno-therapeutics for neurodegenerative and aging-related diseases. Its TQS-168 is a therapeutic candidate that targets underlying myeloid immune cell dysfunction that is linked to a variety of nervous system disorders. Its solution is used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and age-related cognitive impairment. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is based in San Mateo, California.

Passage Bio

Series B in 2019
Passage Bio is a genetic medicines company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specializing in the development of therapies for rare monogenic central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Founded in 2017, the company aims to create a portfolio of five AAV-delivered therapeutics, targeting conditions such as GM1 Gangliosidosis, Frontotemporal dementia, and Krabbe Disease. Passage Bio collaborates closely with the University of Pennsylvania, leveraging its Gene Therapy Program for preclinical work while managing clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and commercialization of its product candidates. The company also engages with the Orphan Disease Center for natural history studies, key opinion leader involvement, and patient advocacy.

Passage Bio

Series A in 2019
Passage Bio is a genetic medicines company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specializing in the development of therapies for rare monogenic central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Founded in 2017, the company aims to create a portfolio of five AAV-delivered therapeutics, targeting conditions such as GM1 Gangliosidosis, Frontotemporal dementia, and Krabbe Disease. Passage Bio collaborates closely with the University of Pennsylvania, leveraging its Gene Therapy Program for preclinical work while managing clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and commercialization of its product candidates. The company also engages with the Orphan Disease Center for natural history studies, key opinion leader involvement, and patient advocacy.

TOT Biopharm

Series B in 2018
TOT Biopharm Company Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm based in Suzhou, China, focused on the development, manufacture, and marketing of innovative oncology drugs and therapies. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in therapeutic biological products, particularly anti-tumor drugs and specialty medicines. One of its notable products is S-1, an oral medication that combines tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium, designed to enhance the delivery and efficacy of 5-fluorouracil, a key chemotherapeutic agent. TOT Biopharm is committed to establishing a trusted brand in oncology treatments, with a diverse pipeline that includes monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates aimed at improving patient outcomes in cancer care. The company's operations primarily generate revenue in Mainland China.

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2018
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops novel therapeutics targeting peptide hormone receptors for the treatment of endocrine-related diseases and cancers. Their programs are derived from internal discovery efforts and use objective hormonal biomarker endpoints for preclinical and clinical studies to reduce both the risk and cost to achieve meaningful clinical data. Crinetics is seeking motivated partners to help advance Their programs to become commercially successful products.

Tricida

Series D in 2017
Tricida, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, established in 2013. The company is dedicated to the development and commercialization of its lead product candidate, TRC101, a non-absorbed, orally-administered polymer designed to treat metabolic acidosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Metabolic acidosis, a condition often associated with CKD, can hasten kidney deterioration and lead to serious complications such as muscle wasting and loss of bone density. Tricida has successfully completed a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of TRC101, which aims to bind and remove acid from the gastrointestinal tract, thereby addressing the underlying metabolic issues and potentially slowing the progression of CKD.

Zai Lab

Series C in 2017
Zai Lab Limited is a Shanghai-based biopharmaceutical company founded in 2013, dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative therapeutics for oncology, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. The company offers several proprietary products, including Niraparib for treating solid tumors, Optune for glioblastoma multiforme, and Ripretinib for KIT and PDGFRa-driven cancers. Additionally, Zai Lab develops other investigational therapies such as REGN1979, Margetuximab, INCMGA0012, Bemarituzumab, Omadacycline, and Durlobactam. With a focus on the Chinese market, Zai Lab has established partnerships with leading global biopharmaceutical firms to enhance its drug pipeline and improve access to transformative medicines. The company leverages its expertise in drug development and favorable regulatory conditions in China, along with in-house manufacturing capabilities, to support both clinical and commercial production. Zai Lab aims to expand its operations and build a specialized commercial team to effectively market its products in China and beyond.

Tricida

Series C in 2016
Tricida, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, established in 2013. The company is dedicated to the development and commercialization of its lead product candidate, TRC101, a non-absorbed, orally-administered polymer designed to treat metabolic acidosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Metabolic acidosis, a condition often associated with CKD, can hasten kidney deterioration and lead to serious complications such as muscle wasting and loss of bone density. Tricida has successfully completed a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of TRC101, which aims to bind and remove acid from the gastrointestinal tract, thereby addressing the underlying metabolic issues and potentially slowing the progression of CKD.

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2015
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops novel therapeutics targeting peptide hormone receptors for the treatment of endocrine-related diseases and cancers. Their programs are derived from internal discovery efforts and use objective hormonal biomarker endpoints for preclinical and clinical studies to reduce both the risk and cost to achieve meaningful clinical data. Crinetics is seeking motivated partners to help advance Their programs to become commercially successful products.

Akari Therapeutics

Post in 2015
Akari Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in London, dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative treatments for rare autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The company's lead product candidate, Coversin, is a second-generation complement inhibitor currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials. It targets several conditions, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Founded in 2015, Akari focuses on creating life-transforming therapies that address the underlying mechanisms of autoinflammatory diseases, specifically those involving the complement and leukotriene pathways.

Sierra Oncology

Series D in 2014
Sierra Oncology, Inc. researches, develops, and commercializes therapies for the treatment of patients with hematology and oncology needs. Its lead drug candidate, momelotinib, is a selective and orally-bioavailable JAK1, JAK2, and ACVR1 inhibitor that has been investigated in two completed Phase 3 trials for the treatment of myelofibrosis. The company is also advancing SRA737, an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor Checkpoint kinase 1 is being investigated in two Phase 1/2 clinical trials; and SRA141, an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of cell division cycle 7 kinase. The company was formerly known as ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to Sierra Oncology, Inc. in January 2017. Sierra Oncology, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Ocera Therapeutics

Post in 2013
Ocera is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for patients with acute and chronic liver disease, an area of high unmet medical need. Ocera's HE clinical development efforts include a recently completed Phase 2b clinical trial, STOP-HE, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of intravenously-administered OCR-002 in resolving neurocognitive symptoms of acute HE in hospitalized patients with elevated ammonia. Ocera is preparing to meet with the FDA later this year to review the IV program and discuss potential development paths forward.

Semnur Pharmaceuticals

Venture Round in 2013
Semnur Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative non-opioid medications aimed at treating lumbar radicular pain. The company focuses on creating products that address the needs of pain management practitioners and their patients, particularly those suffering from back pain. By prioritizing clinical and commercial development, Semnur aims to enhance the efficacy and safety of pain management therapies, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for underserved patient populations.

InteKrin

Series C in 2008
InteKrin Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, privately held BioPharma company focused on developing and commercializing breakthrough therapeutics for neuroendocrine, metabolic, and immune disorders. Diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer are increasingly in need of novel treatments that provide patients with better treatment alternatives and help to curb soaring healthcare costs. The company is in the process of in-licensing early- and late-stage compounds that have the potential to unlock the complex hormonal relationship between metabolism, insulin resistance, and obesity.

InteKrin

Series B in 2007
InteKrin Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, privately held BioPharma company focused on developing and commercializing breakthrough therapeutics for neuroendocrine, metabolic, and immune disorders. Diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer are increasingly in need of novel treatments that provide patients with better treatment alternatives and help to curb soaring healthcare costs. The company is in the process of in-licensing early- and late-stage compounds that have the potential to unlock the complex hormonal relationship between metabolism, insulin resistance, and obesity.

Copernicus Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2002
Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company and a leader in the emerging field of precision medicine and gene therapy. Through their proprietary, non-viral, nucleic acid nanoparticle platform, they are able to achieve robust gene transfer in several tissues without the immune response and limited treatment window of AAV.