Kurma Partners

Profile

Kurma Partners is a healthcare venture capital firm based in Paris, founded in 2009 by Jacques Chatain. The firm consists of a 28-person team, including 12 Partners and 3 Venture Partners, with leadership from Managing Partner Jim Cowart. Kurma differentiates itself through a unique model of co-creating companies with academic institutions, providing proprietary access to discovery-stage science. It has built a significant network of partners within Europe, intending to support disruptive scientific discoveries to become impactful healthcare solutions.

The firm invests in early-stage biotechs, focusing on therapeutic biotechnology that addresses severe or incurable diseases. It primarily targets ventures in Europe but also considers select non-European opportunities. Kurma's investment stages range from company creation to capital expansion, with an average check size projected between $8-12M for Biofund IV. Its total assets under management surpassed €1 billion, with vehicles like Kurma Growth Opportunities (€167M) and Kurma Diagnostics II (€83M).

Kurma's portfolio includes companies like SciRhom, Memo Therapeutics, and ImCheck Therapeutics, which was sold to Ipsen in a deal worth €350 million upfront. Other notable exits from previous funds include Amolyt Pharma's sale to AstraZeneca. The firm's strategy involves leading investment rounds and staying actively involved in operational aspects, distinguishing itself from other European biotech VCs through hands-on involvement and strategic partnership with LPs like CSL and Bpifrance.