From survival to growth
Over the past few years, financing has been a serious challenge for life sciences companies. For much of 2023 and 2024, “survival” was the operative word for many. Fortunately, in 2025, the outlook is finally improving. Signs of recovery are visible and growth capital is available again. Particularly fields such as artificial intelligence, cell and gene therapy, and advanced diagnostics are shifting from survival back to growth. Yet the rules of the game have changed: quality and execution matter more than ever. Investors are looking for solid science, a credible commercial pathway, and a sharp understanding of regulatory realities before showing interest. Growth capital is available again, but the bar is higher.
A transformed investor landscape
The investor landscape has transformed significantly. The investor base for life sciences companies has expanded and diversified significantly over the last decade. Traditional Venture Capital funds, once the core of early-stage life sciences financing, have refocused. Many now prefer later-stage investments, writing larger checks into fewer companies.
At the same time, Corporate Venture Capital arms of pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech companies have stepped up their activity. These investors are increasingly engaged in the earlier stages of development, using venture participation and partnerships as strategic tools to access novel technologies and bridge internal R&D gaps.
Another striking evolution is the rise of family offices in life sciences. They are drawn because the sector’s long development timelines align with their patient-capital mindset and potential impact life science companies can have. High-net-worth individuals have also joined the arena.
Finally, the investor geography has globalized. Capital now flows seamlessly between regions: U.S. investors fund European scale-ups, Asian funds enter Western therapeutics ventures, and European investors pursue U.S. digital health. This globalization brings opportunity, but at the same time increases complexity.
More capital, tougher competition
Ironically, despite an expanding investor universe, raising capital has not become easier. There is certainly more money in the market, but there is also more competition to secure it. Investor mandates have narrowed, risk appetites have become more defined, and expectations are higher. Each investor type, from corporate VCs to family offices, brings a different motivation, decision process, and return horizon. Some prioritize short-term gains; others seek long-term impact or portfolio diversification. This diversity makes the fundraising landscape increasingly fragmented. The “natural connection” between capital supply and company demand is no longer straightforward.
From rolodex to intelligent matchmaking
With an estimated 10,000 active investors worldwide in life sciences – spanning VC funds, strategic corporates, family offices, and cross-sector players – the challenge today is not access, but alignment. The task is to match investors to a specific company’s profile, funding need, stage, and strategic direction. In other words, fundraising in our sector has evolved from a relationship-driven activity into an intelligence-driven discipline. Companies now need to understand investor strategies, regional preferences, investment mandates, and even personal motivations.
Life science funding is about matchmaking: connecting the right proposition to the right investor at the right time. That requires data, insight, and a nuanced understanding of how investors think. Warm introductions are helpful, but no longer sufficient. In a world of abundant but fragmented capital, success depends on precision targeting and credible engagement. The days when intermediaries could rely on a rolodex are over. The future of life sciences financing belongs to those who master intelligent matchmaking — where insight replaces intuition and investor intelligence replaces the rolodex.
How FFUND assists in match making
FFUND starts by getting your company investorready. We refine the proposition, business case, and materials to clearly show the strengths, market opportunity, and regulatory pathway. We fix any gaps that could hold investors back and align your story with market expectations.
We then identify the right investors, using intelligence on over 10,000 global life sciences investors to map, segment, and prioritize them by stage, focus, geography, and motivation. Together, we agree on a focused target list.
From there we reach out, coordinate the communication strategy, optimize materials and manage introductions and interactions. As interest builds, we support negotiations and due diligence, helping your company navigate each step and build long-term investor relationships rather than just closing a single round.
Throughout, financing remains a close, collaborative effort between the client and FFUND.
Looking for the right match? Get in contact now.
