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Ysios Capital

Ysios Capital is a leading Spanish life sciences venture capital firm focused on biotechnology and healthcare investments across Europe. With headquarters in Barcelona and presence in Bilbao, they invest in innovative companies developing breakthrough therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical technologies. The firm is known for building strong European biotech companies and has one of the best track records in the Spanish venture capital industry.

Location
Barcelona, Spain
Founded
2008
AUM
€500M+
Investment Range
€5M - €40M
Focus
biotech-focused
Fund Stages
seed, series-a, series-b, series-c, growth

Investment Thesis

Ysios Capital invests in innovative life sciences companies with breakthrough potential, focusing primarily on European biotech and healthcare companies. They seek companies with differentiated science, strong intellectual property, and experienced management teams that can develop transformative therapies and technologies. The firm takes an active role in company building, providing strategic guidance and leveraging their extensive network in the pharmaceutical industry.

Team

Partners / Managing Directors (Health & Bio Focus)

  • Joël Jean-Mairet, PhD - Managing Partner & Co-Founder
  • Julia Salaverría - Managing Partner & Co-Founder
  • Karen Wagner - Partner

Other Key Team Members

  • Investment team with deep life sciences and pharma expertise
  • Scientific advisors from leading European research institutions

Focus Areas

  • Therapeutics (oncology, immunology, rare diseases)
  • Biotechnology
  • Medical Devices
  • Diagnostics
  • Gene & Cell Therapy
  • European Life Sciences
  • Spanish Innovation Ecosystem

Notable Portfolio Companies

  • Sanifit - Acquired by Vifor Pharma (2020, €205M)
  • Oryzon Genomics - Epigenetics (Euronext, MAD: ORY)
  • Minoryx Therapeutics - Rare neurodegenerative diseases
  • Ability Pharma - Oncology
  • Bionure - Neuroscience
  • Nostrum Biodiscovery - AI drug discovery

Notable Exits

  • Sanifit - Acquired (2020, acquired by Vifor Pharma for €205M)
  • Oryzon Genomics - IPO (MAD: ORY, epigenetic therapies)
  • VCN Biosciences - Acquired (oncolytic viruses)
  • Multiple successful exits in European biotech

Geographic Focus

  • Primary focus on Spanish and European biotech companies
  • Active in Barcelona, Bilbao, and broader European life sciences ecosystem
  • Strong connections to Spanish research institutions and hospitals

Sources