Sherpa Healthcare Partners Welcomes Industry Leader Raymond W. Cohen as Venture Partner

On January 6, 2025, Sherpa Healthcare Partners, a well-established venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage healthcare companies, made a significant announcement. The firm appointed Raymond W. Cohen, a seasoned executive in the MedTech industry, as a Venture Partner. This move signifies Sherpa's commitment to enhancing its investment portfolio, particularly in the healthcare sector, across Asia and the United States.

Cohen's professional journey is particularly noteworthy. Until recently, he was the CEO and a board member of Axonics, Inc., a global medical technology firm based in Irvine, California. Cohen co-founded Axonics in 2013, leading the company through a major transition, including its public offering in October 2018. Under his leadership, Axonics achieved remarkable milestones, including being listed as the top company in the 2021 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ and featured in Financial Times' rankings as one of the fastest-growing businesses in the Americas. The climax of his tenure at Axonics came when the company was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) for an impressive $3.7 billion in late November 2024.

Before his time at Axonics, Cohen held the position of CEO at Vessix Vascular, Inc., which was also acquired by Boston Scientific. His comprehensive background gives him unique insights into the healthcare and medical technology sectors. Darren Cai, Managing Partner at Sherpa Healthcare Partners, expressed his enthusiasm regarding Cohen's inclusion in their team, highlighting the potential for Cohen’s experience to innovate and expand Sherpa's investment strategies.

Cohen himself expressed excitement about joining Sherpa Healthcare Partners, appreciating the integrity and commitment demonstrated by the firm's managing partners in supporting innovative therapies and medical devices. His extensive experience, spanning over four decades in life sciences, positions him as a valuable asset to Sherpa's mission.

Currently, Cohen holds significant roles in various organizations. He is the chairman of SoniVie, Ltd., an Israeli clinical-stage company that is pioneering a treatment for hypertension via a catheter-based high-frequency ultrasound renal denervation device. Additionally, he serves as an independent director at Kestra Medical Technologies, a commercial-stage company focused on wearable defibrillator technologies for patients at temporary risk from severe cardiac arrhythmias. Kestra is preparing for an IPO, having filed an S-1 form with NASDAQ in December 2024.

Cohen's contributions to the MedTech industry have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, he received the MedTech MVP Award and was honored as the Businessperson of the Year by the Orange County Business Journal. His previous accolades include a lifetime achievement award from SoCal Bio in 2021 and the Entrepreneur of the Year award by Ernst & Young for the Pacific Southwest United States in late 2020.

Sherpa Healthcare Partners has positioned itself as a prominent player in the healthcare venture capital landscape, seeking to back innovative companies across various segments such as pharmaceuticals, genetic technology, MedTech, and medical services. The firm aims to invest in companies that possess groundbreaking technologies and substantial growth prospects.

As Sherpa Healthcare Partners embraces Raymond W. Cohen into their fold, the industry watches closely, anticipating noteworthy advancements in healthcare technologies and therapies that may emerge from this collaboration. With Cohen's expertise and Sherpa's vision, the potential for improvement in human health is immense. For more information about Sherpa Healthcare Partners and their initiatives, visit Sherpa Healthcare Partners.