Epidarex Capital announced it has reached a first close of Epidarex Capital IV, LP, with more than $145 million in commitments, as the transatlantic life sciences venture firm looks to expand its company creation and early-stage investing across the United Kingdom and the United States.
The firm said the new fund is designed to translate innovative research into new therapeutics and medical device companies, focusing on early-stage development to help bridge the equity funding gap for spinouts and other young ventures. Epidarex expects Fund IV to invest in up to 15 companies, backing projects sourced from both established and emerging research hubs on each side of the Atlantic.
Initial investors include the British Business Bank, Strathclyde Pension Fund, and the Scottish National Investment Bank, alongside family offices, corporates, and other international backers. Epidarex said the fund will target areas of major unmet need, including oncology, cardiometabolic, autoimmune, and neurological conditions, and will continue the firm’s hands-on approach to building leadership teams, shaping strategy, and supporting companies through key development milestones.
Epidarex’s existing portfolio includes companies like Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Enterprise Therapeutics, Harpoon Medical, Kynos Therapeutics, and Nodthera.
KEY QUOTES
“We believe that the next three years represent a highly attractive window for investing in a new wave of biotech innovation. Epidarex Fund IV offers standout innovators an opportunity to secure funding from an experienced early-stage investor. Fund IV will also accelerate breakthrough science and unlock new therapeutic possibilities with meaningful impact for patients and public health.”
Sinclair Dunlop, Managing Partner, Epidarex
“We are investing more into UK life sciences, which is one of the eight growth sectors of the UK Industrial Strategy. The Bank is highly active in the sector, having already committed over half a billion into specialist life science funds. However, we will continue to back fund strategies like Epidarex. The UK has a very strong science and research base, so what is needed is investors who specialise in nurturing and scaling those ideas, creating new, IP-rich companies.”
Christine Hockley, Managing Director and Co-Head of Funds, British Business Bank
“This first close reflects strong conviction in Epidarex’s ability to build high-quality life science companies from the earliest stages. We work closely with founders to support them through critical development milestones. Fund IV allows us to continue executing on this strategy. As a longstanding partner to a diverse range of investors, we are excited about the opportunity to continue to build the Epidarex platform.”
Elizabeth Roper, PhD, Managing Partner, Epidarex
