#London #United Kingdom #biotechnology #LifeArc Ventures #innovative therapies

LifeArc Ventures: A Year of Transformation in Life Sciences

In 2025, LifeArc Ventures, the investment division of the renowned medical research organization LifeArc, marked a pivotal year, becoming its most active to date. With the announcement of multiple groundbreaking investments, the organization further establishes its commitment to driving innovation in the life sciences sector.

Expanding Our Horizons

Over the past year, LifeArc Ventures extended its investment reach into four new innovative life sciences firms. The portfolio, which concluded 2025 with a total of 20 companies, benefitted significantly from both Seed and Series A investments, with a strategic shift into Series B investments as well. LifeArc’s participation in notable Series B funding rounds demonstrates its influential presence in global syndicates, positioning the organization to support its existing portfolio companies while exploring new ventures.

Clare Terlouw, Managing Partner, articulated the venture's vision to diversify its portfolio across geographies and therapy areas. This year, investments were made in companies based in Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavia, amplifying its growth strategy and underscoring LifeArc Ventures' progressive approach in global markets.

Diverse Investment Landscape

LifeArc Ventures deploys capital broadly across diverse modalities and technologies. The focus on unmet needs in therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases, central nervous system disorders, and fibrosis, aligns with its strategic goals of enhancing human health. Contributing to transformative research, the Venture capitalizes on life sciences innovations with applications across numerous therapeutic fields.

A prime example is the investment in GlycoEra AG which raised an impressive $130 million in Series B funding. The firm aims to advance its lead program targeting IgG4 conditions linked to multiple autoimmune diseases. This is crucial as autoimmune conditions remain a prevalent and challenging public health issue.

Likewise, Hillstar Bio launched a precision immunotherapy initiative, fueled by $67 million from Series A co-investors which included prominent firms in the life sciences sector.

Another notable investment was in Exciva which received €51 million for its Phase 2 study evaluating a treatment for agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This condition drastically impacts patients, emphasizing the critical importance of innovative solutions in the healthcare landscape.

Strengthening Our Team and Impact

Recognizing the importance of expertise, LifeArc Ventures enhanced its team by welcoming Olivia Cavlan, MD as a Partner and Diana Röttger as Investment Principal. These strategic appointments bolster the firm's capacity to identify and manage promising investment opportunities while supporting the development and governance of its existing portfolio. This highlights LifeArc Ventures' commitment to cultivating a knowledgeable and proficient team that can navigate the complexities of the ever-evolving life sciences industry.

Promising Progress Across the Portfolio

Several portfolio companies achieved significant milestones in 2025, demonstrating LifeArc’s dedication to advancing impactful healthcare solutions. One exemplary collaboration resulted in an exclusive license agreement for UGX-202, an optogenetics gene therapy, with substantial milestones tied to its development.

Additionally, Fluid Biomed appointed a seasoned medtech executive as Chair, aiming to accelerate the development of its unique stent technology to treat essential conditions. The firm’s strategic leadership shift emphasizes the importance of innovation and effective management in scaling impactful solutions.

LifeArc Ventures also reflected on substantial milestone successes, with Maxion Therapeutics announcing oversubscribed investments amounting to $72 million aimed at entering clinical trials, while Affect Therapeutics raised $26 million to enhance its AI-driven virtual clinic services targeting substance use disorders.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead to 2026, LifeArc Ventures anticipates substantial progress with new clinical starts and opportunities to expand investments. As life science innovations surge, LifeArc Ventures is poised to continue its significant contributions through strategic investments, partnerships, and by nurturing a culture of collaboration and support among its portfolio companies.

With a robust foundation and a clear vision, LifeArc Ventures is set to transform the future of health and medicine through groundbreaking research and meaningful investments. As we embrace a new year, our journey in life sciences innovation will be driven by a commitment to support inventive companies passionately working towards solutions to enhance patient lives.