{
  "id": 17882426,
  "title": "Venture builder NeoSci Ventures raises S$70 million for inaugural biotech fund",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/venture-builder-neosci-ventures-raises-s-70-million-for-inaugural",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-03T01:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
    "slug": "the-business-times-companies-markets",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/consumer-healthcare/venture-builder-neosci-ventures-raises-s70-million-inaugural-biotech-fund"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore-based biotech investor NeoSci Ventures (NSV) has successfully raised S$70 million for its inaugural institutional venture fund, with plans to invest in up to 12 global biotech companies. The Singapore, Taiwan and US-based fund, backed by investors including EDBI and Taiwan’s National Development Fund, targets emerging therapies and technologies worldwide. Limited partners include Taiwan-listed Catcher Technology, Singapore-based property group Crescendas Group, family offices and entrepreneurs. NSV's founding managing partner, Daphne Teo, revealed the venture builder will not only provide funding but also take a more hands-on approach to the growth of its portfolio companies from an early stage. This includes identifying promising science, assembling management and scientific teams, and providing operational support to build companies from scratch. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, NSV may also assume founder, board or executive roles in its portfolio companies during their initial years. Dr Timothy Lu, founding chief scientist at NSV, emphasized the importance of this hands-on approach due to the unpredictable nature of drug development in biotech. Both founders have invested in the biotech space for 15 years, collectively co-founding over 30 companies, including 10 public listings and acquisition exits. The biotech industry has seen renewed momentum in recent years, with increased interest in initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions. NSV aims to invest globally, focusing on therapeutics and technologies that address gaps in the pharmaceutical industry. The founders highlighted Asia's potential in the biotech space, particularly in Singapore's nascent industry, citing the strong talent pool and research institutions as key advantages.",
  "summary": "The plan is to back up to 12 biotech companies, combining investment with hands-on support",
  "key_points": [
    "NeoSci Ventures raises S$70 million for inaugural biotech fund",
    "Fund targets emerging therapies and technologies worldwide",
    "NSV offers hands-on approach, founder and board roles"
  ],
  "editors_take": "By combining capital with direct operational involvement, this fund moves beyond traditional financing to act as a foundational architect for high-risk biotech startups across global markets.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}