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RiverVest Venture Partners

RiverVest Venture Partners is a St. Louis-based venture capital firm specializing in life sciences investments. The firm focuses on biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics companies, with a particular emphasis on Midwest-based opportunities while maintaining a national investment strategy.

Location
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Founded
2000
AUM
$500M+
Investment Range
$5M - $25M
Focus
biotech-focused
Fund Stages
seed, series-a, series-b, series-c

Investment Thesis

RiverVest invests in innovative life sciences companies developing breakthrough therapies and medical technologies. They focus on companies with strong intellectual property, experienced management teams, and clear paths to value creation through clinical development or regulatory approval.

Team

Partners / Managing Directors

  • Jay Schmelter - Managing Director
  • Niall Phelan - Managing Director
  • Tom Melzer - Venture Partner
  • John McKearn, PhD - Venture Partner

Focus Areas

  • Biopharmaceuticals
  • Medical Devices
  • Diagnostics
  • Therapeutics
  • Drug Discovery

Notable Exits

  • Kala Pharmaceuticals - IPO (2017, NASDAQ: KALA, ophthalmic therapeutics)
  • Principia Biopharma - Acquired (2020, acquired by Sanofi for $3.7B)
  • Ocera Therapeutics - Acquired (acquired by Mallinckrodt)
  • Relypsa - Acquired (2016, acquired by Galenica for $1.5B)

Sources