Forbion raises EUR 2.3 billion for biotech
Dutch life science investor Forbion has raised EUR 2.3 billion (USD 2.6 billion) across two new funds. This is a record for the firm and one of the largest life science venture capital raises globally in the past five years. The new money comes into a European biotech market that has long been short of growth capital.
October 8, 2026
The Naarden-based firm now manages approximately EUR 7.5 billion, which it says strengthens its position as Europe’s largest dedicated life science venture capital firm. The fundraise went well beyond its target. Investors include Dutch pension managers MN and PGGM, Germany’s KfW Capital, the Kauffman Foundation, and Eli Lilly and Company.
The capital will be invested through two funds: Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund IV focuses mainly on later-stage biopharma companies in Europe and North America, and Forbion Ventures Fund VIII targets therapeutics-focused biotechs, both existing companies and new ventures built around promising assets and proven teams.
Together, the funds can finance around thirty portfolio companies, and the first investments have already been made.
“Our successful fundraising gives us significant dry powder in a market characterized by a general shortage of capital. This allows us to select the most exciting biotech companies for investment,” says Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Forbion.
European investors push to keep more biotech companies growing and listing at home
The raise comes as European investors push to keep more biotech companies growing and listing at home. Forbion is a founding member of the European Life Sciences Coalition (ELSC), alongside members such as Denmark’s Novo Holdings, Sweden’s HealthCap and France’s Sofinnova Partners. The coalition was formed this year to channel more private and public capital into European life sciences. In an earlier interview with NLS, ELSC’s Cedric Moreau noted that 66 of 67 EU biotech companies that went public over the past six years listed outside the European Union.
“Our goal is to build a European framework that matches our scientific excellence with competitive financing capacity”
NLS asked Cedric Moreau, Chair of the Oversight Committee of the European Life Sciences Coalition (ELSC) and Partner at VC firm Sofinnova Partners, about the future of life sciences innovation and investment in Europe.
In its 20-year history, Forbion has financed 142 companies, 37 of which it created itself. Its portfolio companies have delivered 21 approved medical products, which have reached more than 1.6 million patients worldwide.
Published: October 8, 2026
