Venture Capital - Research Paper Example

As per the survey conducted by the Ernst &Young in the year 2008, there were 56 percent of exits of venture capital companies out of which 12 percent of the companies belonged to the pharmaceutical and health care sector (Ernst &Young). Healthcare companies like Novartis Venture capital division and Johnson and Johnson Development venture capital divisions earned meager amount of profits during recession. The pharmaceutical companies also make further investments in life science companies across biotech, medical devices and diagnostics.

The main motive of the venture capital divisions of pharmaceutical companies is to provide startup capital to other medical companies which have a better prospect in the future. For example the Novartis venture capital division provides venture capital fund only to those companies which adhere to their corporate development plans. South Korea is an emerging market for venture capital investments in the pharmaceutical companies hence medical companies like Novartis and Johnson and Johnson have taken initiatives of providing investment to medical and life science companies who are at an early stage (Novartis Venture Funds, “Our Funds”).

Venture capital funding to Pharmaceutical Industry in United Kingdom (UK) UK is considered as the second largest venture capital market in Europe. There are three types of venture capital funds being offered in UK. 1) Seed fund – This fund is offered to a novice business investor. 2) Start Up fund – This fund is offered to a company in its nascent stage 3) later stage Fund – This fund is provided to a business company who is in the maturity stage. The pharmaceutical companies in UK invest in Venture capital funds primarily because the returns of the fund are very good and it is one of the most easily available funds in UK.

Some of the venture capital companies in UK provide venture capital funds exclusively to the pharmaceutical and health sector of UK. The names of these companies are as follows: 3i This company invests exclusively in the healthcare sector and provides start up funds for novice pharmaceutical companies. Abingworth It is a long established venture capital company which invests in biomedical companies. Advent Venture Partners LLP The company was established in the year 1981; it has managed to invest ?

500 million in the year 2011. It invests in Life Science companies. Alta Partners The company has been funding over 130 life science companies of UK since 1996. ARCH Venture Partners The company invests in medical companies which are at an early stage and have the potential to grow into successful enterprises. The company invests primarily in companies co-founded with leading scientists and entrepreneurs, concentrating on bringing innovations in life sciences, physical sciences, and information technology.

Atlas Venture Ltd Atlas Venture invests in those life science companies which are in their early stages of growth. Burrill & Company This is a merchant bank in UK focusing exclusively in companies dealing with biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, devices, human healthcare and related medical technologies, nutraceuticals and wellness, agricultural biotechnology, and industrial biotechnology. The company