Sanofi Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of global pharmaceutical company Sanofi. Established to accelerate innovation in biopharma and healthcare, the fund invests in biotechnology and digital health startups developing transformative therapies and technologies. With a mandate to identify and support companies that align with Sanofi’s long-term strategic areas of interest, the firm has become an influential player in the biotech venture ecosystem.
Sanofi Ventures focuses on biotechnology and digital health, with particular emphasis on immunology, neurology, rare diseases, and vaccines.
The fund also explores adjacent areas such as ophthalmology and other therapeutic categories where early innovation can generate meaningful breakthroughs.
Investments span from early-stage startups to later private rounds close to IPO, allowing the firm to remain engaged throughout a company’s growth trajectory.
In September 2025, Sanofi Ventures received a new $625 million capital commitment from Sanofi, expanding its total assets under management to $1.4 billion.
This fund is designed to support young biotech and digital health companies during a challenging funding environment where traditional venture firms have slowed deployment. The mandate includes leading or co-leading financings across all stages of a private company’s lifecycle, from seed rounds to crossover rounds that precede IPOs.
The fund has already completed 11 deals this year, including investments in SpliceBio, a gene therapy company, Character Bio, an ophthalmology-focused startup, and Draig Therapeutics, a brain drug developer.
The new capital further strengthens Sanofi Ventures’ ability to take a proactive role in funding and provides an opportunity for the parent company to access emerging science and potential future acquisition targets.
Leadership
Sanofi Ventures is led by managing director Jason Hafler alongside a team of experienced life sciences investors with deep industry and scientific backgrounds. As part of a global pharmaceutical company, the venture arm benefits from direct access to Sanofi’s research, development, and commercial expertise, providing its portfolio with both capital and strategic partnership opportunities.
Investment Strategy
The firm’s strategy blends financial returns with strategic alignment to Sanofi’s therapeutic focus. Sanofi Ventures invests broadly in promising biotechs while reserving the ability to back companies at multiple stages. Unlike many corporate investors, the fund is willing to step into lead investor roles, giving it influence on company direction and a close view of innovation pipelines. Its investments serve a dual purpose: to support emerging startups and to provide Sanofi with visibility into disruptive science that could translate into partnerships or acquisitions.
Notable Investments
Sanofi Ventures has backed a range of innovative startups, including SpliceBio in gene therapy, Character Bio in ophthalmology, and Draig Therapeutics in neurology. Other portfolio companies span immunology, vaccines, rare diseases, and digital health solutions that support patient care and clinical outcomes.
Notable Exits
The firm has achieved multiple high-profile exits in recent years. These include the acquisition of Icosavax by AstraZeneca in 2023, Aliada Therapeutics’ sale to AbbVie in 2024, and the acquisition of Escient Pharmaceuticals by Incyte in 2024. Together these exits represented a combined transaction value of $3.25 billion, underscoring the firm’s ability to identify and back commercially attractive innovations.
Other
Sanofi Ventures plays an active role in shaping the biotech funding environment by stepping in to lead rounds at a time when many traditional venture firms have been cautious. Its position as a corporate venture fund gives founders access not only to capital but also to insights on clinical development, regulatory pathways, and commercialization. The firm’s dual role as both investor and potential partner makes it an important stakeholder for biotech entrepreneurs seeking long-term growth.
