SV Health Investors (formerly SV Life Sciences) has closed its sixth fund, hitting its target of $400 million, as the firm itself also registers a numbers growth.
The Boston-based venture capital firm (with offices also in London) says the new cash boost will be funneled into early-stage life science companies, and will also focus on “growth equity opportunities” with healthcare services and digital health companies.
Although reaching its funding goal, in its previous round, which closed back in 2010, the firm managed to raise a beefier $523 million.
With that purse, SV took stakes in ophthalmology-focused KalVista Pharmaceuticals, dermatology biotech Thesan Pharmaceuticals and oncology innovator Sutro Biopharma, among others.
Over the past two years, the firm has seen Entellus Medical execute a $78 million IPO, Convergence Pharmaceuticals go to Biogen for up to $675 million, and OncoEthix get bought by Merck in a $375 million deal. SV has around $2 billion under management.
The firm itself, with a new name in tow, has also over the past 18 months boosted its team by 30%.
“It’s exciting to continue applying our team’s expertise, networks and operating experience for entrepreneurs and companies that have the potential to develop and advance important new treatments and solutions,” Paul LaViolette, SV Health Investors managing partner, said in a statement. “We are backing remarkable entrepreneurs and proven operating executives who are helping transform healthcare and improve patients’ lives.”