Fund of the week: Droia Ventures
Executive Summary
Droia Ventures is a Belgium-based venture capital firm that has established itself as one of Europe's most focused biotech investors. Founded in 2011 with headquarters in Zaventem (Belgium) and Luxembourg, the firm manages approximately €450-600 million across dedicated funds targeting two therapeutic areas: oncology and genetic diseases.
The firm distinguishes itself through three core characteristics: an exclusive therapeutic focus that eschews diversification into adjacent healthcare sectors; Droia Labs, an in-house scientific validation capability; and a hands-on company-building approach that frequently includes interim management roles at portfolio companies. Since its founding, Droia has participated in exits totaling over $3.5 billion in cumulative transaction value.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Zaventem, Belgium & Luxembourg |
| AUM | €450-600M (~$550M+) |
| Investment Focus | Oncology & Genetic Diseases |
| Portfolio Companies | 45+ since inception |
| Team Size | ~23 professionals, 8 partners |
| Notable Exits | Ambrx ($2B), Tusk (€655M potential), Pharvaris (IPO) |
Firm History and Evolution
Origins and Founding
Luc Verelst, a Belgian entrepreneur with a background in bio-engineering from KU Leuven and experience in real estate and philanthropy through the Anti Cancer Fund, founded Droia Ventures in 2011. Originally named "Droia Oncology Ventures," the firm operated with a singular focus on cancer therapeutics during its first decade.
The firm maintains dual headquarters at Da Vincilaan 1, 1930 Zaventem (Belgium) and 16, Rue Glesener, L-1630 Luxembourg. Droia Labs operates from separate facilities in Leuven at the Gaston Geenslaan 3 campus, proximate to the VIB-KU Leuven research ecosystem.
Strategic Expansion into Genetic Diseases
In May 2021, Droia announced a strategic expansion beyond oncology with the launch of a €220 million Genetic Disease Fund. This fund targets conditions affecting over 300 million patients globally, including cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and rare neurological disorders. The expansion brought Luc Dochez aboard as Managing Partner to lead the genetic disease strategy.
The dual-focus model leverages overlapping scientific insights—particularly in areas like gene therapy, RNA therapeutics, and immunology—while addressing two high-need therapeutic domains. Management has noted that almost all of Droia's oncology fund investors (LPs) also committed to the genetic disease fund, reflecting confidence in the specialization approach.
Fund Structure and Capital Deployment
Fund Timeline
| Fund | Size | Year | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund I | ~€60-75M (est.) | 2015-2016 | Oncology | Fully deployed |
| Fund II | €150M | 2018 | Oncology | Fully deployed |
| Genetic Disease Fund | €220M ($265M) | 2021 | Genetic diseases | Active |
| Fund IV | Undisclosed | 2022 | Combined | Active |
Fund II closed in December 2018 at "more than twice the size" of Fund I and was described as heavily oversubscribed. The fund attracted capital from institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals across Europe and the United States.
Fund IV, with Truncus Wealth identified as a limited partner, was established in 2022 through PitchBook records. No new fund announcements have emerged for 2024-2026, suggesting continued deployment from existing vehicles.
Investment Parameters
Droia typically invests at the earliest stages (Seed to Series B), with check sizes ranging from initial positions of €5-15 million to follow-on investments that can reach €20-30 million in later rounds. The firm targets companies from formation through clinical proof of concept, with a typical holding period of 7-10 years given drug development timelines.
Recent Investment Activity (2023-2026)
Droia has maintained an active deployment pace, participating in 11 documented transactions from 2023 through early 2026. The firm led or co-led approximately 73% of these investments and took board seats in at least six portfolio companies.
Investment Summary Table
| Company | Date | Round | Size | Droia Role | Notable Co-Investors | Therapeutic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyku Biosciences | Sep 2023 | Seed | $56M | Co-lead | RA Capital, Novartis VF, Mark Foundation | Oncology (covalent medicines) |
| Actio Biosciences | Sep 2023 | Series A | $55M | Co-lead | Canaan, Deerfield, EcoR1 | Rare genetic diseases |
| Vico Therapeutics | Jan 2024 | Series B | €65.8M | Co-lead | EQT Life Sciences, Kurma, AvH | Rare neurological |
| Frontier Medicines | Feb 2024 | Series C | $80M | Co-lead | Deerfield, Galapagos, MPM, RA Capital | Oncology (KRAS) |
| Judo Bio | Oct 2024 | Series A | $100M | Co-lead | Atlas Venture, TCG, Digitalis | Genetic disease (siRNA) |
| Alesta Therapeutics | Jan 2025 | Series A | €65M | Co-lead | Frazier, Novartis VF, RTW | Rare diseases |
| Hillstar Bio | Mar 2025 | Series A | $67M | Syndicate | Frazier, Novo Holdings, LifeArc | Autoimmune |
| Actio Biosciences | Jun 2025 | Series B | $66M | Follow-on | Regeneron, Deerfield, Canaan | Rare genetic diseases |
| Volastra Therapeutics | Sep 2025 | Series B | Undisclosed | Follow-on | Polaris, ARCH, Vida, Eli Lilly | Oncology (CIN) |
| Protego Biopharma | Dec 2025 | Series B | $130M | Participating | Novartis VF, Forbion, Omega Funds | Rare disease (amyloidosis) |
Deal Characteristics
Frequent co-investment partners include Deerfield Management, Novartis Venture Fund, and Frazier Life Sciences, each appearing in three or more transactions. This syndication pattern reflects Droia's positioning as a respected specialist that larger healthcare investors trust to lead diligence in its focus areas.
Average round sizes have increased over the period:
- Series A investments averaged approximately $57 million
- Series B investments averaged approximately $66 million
Portfolio Company Analysis
Active Portfolio Overview
Droia's active portfolio spans approximately 24 companies across oncology and genetic disease therapeutics. The portfolio exhibits a mix of clinical-stage assets approaching value inflection points and earlier-stage platform companies.
| Company | Location | Stage | Therapeutic Area | Lead Program | Recent Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hummingbird Bioscience | Singapore/US | Phase 1/2 | Oncology (antibodies) | HMBD-002 (anti-VISTA) | $430M licensing deal with Endeavor BioMedicines |
| QurAlis | Cambridge, MA | Clinical | ALS/neurological | STMN2 therapy | Eli Lilly licensing deal; CTA authorized in Canada |
| Volastra Therapeutics | New York | Phase 1b | Oncology (CIN) | VLS-1488 | Strategic investment from Eli Lilly |
| Frontier Medicines | San Francisco/Boston | Clinical | Oncology (KRAS) | FMC-376 | PROSPER trial initiated; $235.5M total raised |
| Vico Therapeutics | Leiden, Netherlands | Phase 1/2a | Neurological (SCA3, HD) | VO659 (ASO) | Basket trial ongoing for CAG repeat diseases |
| Aura Biosciences | Cambridge, MA | Phase 3 | Ocular oncology | Belzupacap sarotalocan | CoMpass trial in choroidal melanoma |
| Actio Biosciences | San Diego | Phase 1 | Rare genetic diseases | TRPV4 inhibitor | Programs in KCNT1 epilepsy and CMT2C |
| Alesta Therapeutics | Belgium | Preclinical | Rare diseases | Undisclosed | Clinical studies planned for 2025 |
| Hillstar Bio | Boston | Preclinical | Autoimmune | TRBV9+ T-cell depletion | First-in-human planned for 2026 |
| Montis Biosciences | Belgium | Early | Oncology | Undisclosed | Founded with VIB and KU Leuven |
| Muna Therapeutics | Copenhagen/Leuven | Preclinical | Neurodegeneration | Small molecules for AD/PD | $73M Series A (2021) |
Portfolio by Therapeutic Area
| Category | Count | % of Portfolio | Representative Companies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oncology | ~14 | 58% | Frontier, Volastra, Hummingbird, Aura, Hyku |
| Genetic/Rare Disease | ~8 | 33% | Vico, Actio, QurAlis, Alesta, Judo Bio |
| Autoimmune/Other | ~2 | 8% | Hillstar, Muna |
Clinical Stage Distribution
| Stage | Count | % of Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Preclinical | ~10 | 42% |
| Phase 1/1b | ~8 | 33% |
| Phase 2 | ~4 | 17% |
| Phase 3 | ~2 | 8% |
Droia has achieved liquidity events totaling over $3.5 billion in cumulative transaction value, with 2021 representing a particularly strong year for public listings and 2024 delivering its largest M&A exit.
Exit Summary Table
| Company | Exit Type | Date | Transaction Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambrx Biopharma | IPO → Acquisition | Jun 2021 → Mar 2024 | $2.0B acquisition | Complete exit to Johnson & Johnson |
| Tusk Therapeutics | Acquisition | Sep 2018 | €70M upfront + €655M milestones | Acquired by Roche |
| Pharvaris | IPO | Feb 2021 | $165M raised at $20/share | Still trading (PHVS); ~$1.5B market cap |
| Aura Biosciences | IPO | Oct 2021 | $75.6M raised | Still trading; advancing Phase 3 |
| Cyteir Therapeutics | IPO | Jun 2021 | $133.2M raised | Delisted March 2024 |
| Arcus Biosciences | Public (earlier) | — | — | Notable holding |
Detailed Exit Analysis
Ambrx Biopharma stands as Droia's most valuable completed exit. The company went public on the NYSE in June 2021 at $18 per share, raising $126 million. Johnson & Johnson subsequently acquired Ambrx in March 2024 for $2.0 billion ($28 per share), representing a 105% premium to the pre-announcement price. The acquisition secured J&J's access to Ambrx's proprietary antibody-drug conjugate platform and lead asset ARX517 for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Tusk Therapeutics was Droia's first major exit and validation of its company-building model. Founded by Droia in 2014 with Luc Dochez as CEO, Tusk developed anti-CD25 antibodies designed to deplete regulatory T-cells in tumors. Roche acquired the company in September 2018 for €70 million upfront with potential milestone payments totaling €655 million ($759 million). This exit demonstrated the value of Droia's hands-on company creation approach.
Pharvaris, co-founded by Droia Managing Partner Luc Dochez, went public on Nasdaq in February 2021 at $20 per share. The company remains publicly traded (NASDAQ: PHVS) with a market capitalization in the $1.4-1.8 billion range, advancing deucrictibant through Phase 3 trials for hereditary angioedema. Pharvaris represents an ongoing position with significant unrealized value.
The Cyteir Therapeutics investment represents a documented disappointment. The company went public in June 2021 but voluntarily delisted from Nasdaq in March 2024 following challenges with its synthetic lethality oncology programs. This outcome illustrates the binary risk inherent in early-stage oncology investing.
Leadership and Team
Partner Composition
Droia's partnership blends pharmaceutical deal-making expertise, biotech operating experience, and scientific credentials. The team of approximately 23 professionals includes 8 partners with complementary skill sets.
| Partner | Role | Background | Notable Board Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janwillem Naesens | Managing Partner, Founder | MSc Engineering (KU Leuven), MBA (INSEAD); McKinsey, Waterland PE | Frontier Medicines, Ambagon, Ananke, Highlight |
| Luc Dochez | Managing Partner, Genetic Disease | PharmD; CEO of Tusk (→Roche); CBO at Prosensa; co-founder Pharvaris, Vico | Montis (Chair), Vico (Chair), Alesta (Chair), QurAlis, Hillstar (Exec Chair) |
| George Golumbeski | Partner | PhD Genetics (Wisconsin-Madison); EVP Celgene; President GRAIL; VP Novartis | Actio (Chair), Judo Bio, Shattuck Labs, Acumen |
| Rez Halse | Partner (Sep 2023) | Partner RA Capital; President MRL Ventures (Merck); VP Merck Pacific BD | Boston-based; exits include Imago, Visterra |
| Matthias De Witte | Partner, CFO & General Counsel | MSc Law & Finance (Oxford); Cleary Gottlieb, Freshfields | — |
| Matthias Van Woensel | Partner | PhD Biomedical Sciences/Tumor Immunology (KU Leuven) | Hyku Biosciences |
Recent Team Developments
Rez Halse joined in September 2023, representing the most significant recent team addition. Based in Boston, Halse previously led RA Capital's company creation incubator and Merck's venture arm (MRL Ventures), bringing a track record that includes M&A exits (Imago, Visterra, Tidal) and multiple IPOs (Alector, Spero, Translate Bio). His addition strengthens Droia's U.S. presence and dealmaking capacity.
George Golumbeski, who joined in 2020, was an architect of Celgene's prolific biotech collaboration strategy during his tenure as Executive Vice President of Business Development. His involvement provides Droia with extensive pharma networks useful for portfolio company partnerships and exit opportunities.
Droia Labs: In-House Scientific Capability
Structure and Function
Droia Labs, established around 2022 and celebrating its first anniversary in 2023, provides Droia with an unusual competitive advantage: in-house scientific validation capacity that complements the investment team's due diligence. Located in Leuven at state-of-the-art facilities, Droia Labs combines computational and experimental biology capabilities.
The laboratory functions serve multiple purposes:
- Due Diligence Support: Conducting independent experiments to validate targets or technologies and test hypotheses presented by potential investments
- Portfolio Support: Providing ongoing scientific assistance to portfolio companies through patient data-driven collaborations
- Company Creation: Incubating nascent biotech companies before they establish independent laboratories
- Biomarker Development: Supporting target identification, mechanism-of-action studies, and biomarker programs
Scientific Team
| Team Member | Background | Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Carmen Bravo González-Blas | PhD, VIB-KU Leuven | Single-cell regulatory genomics; developed cisTopic and SCENIC+ |
| Javier Perales Patón | PhD, CNIO; Saez-Rodriguez Lab (Heidelberg) | Cancer genomics, gene regulatory networks |
| Translational Science Team | Galapagos NV, King's College London, Wellcome Sanger Institute | Drug discovery, translational research |
Companies Supported
Droia Labs has supported portfolio companies including Montis Biosciences, which was co-founded with VIB and KU Leuven leveraging the academic research network. The facility enables Droia to originate companies around promising discoveries, conduct initial bench work, and spin out startups once tangible proof-of-concept exists.
This venture creation model—comparable to Flagship Pioneering in the United States—allows Droia to capture more equity by being both founder and first investor, while steering company direction from inception.
Competitive Analysis
European Biotech VC Landscape
Droia occupies a distinct position in the European biotech venture landscape through its specialist therapeutic focus, contrasting with larger generalist competitors.
| Firm | Headquarters | AUM | Focus Areas | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Droia Ventures | Belgium/Luxembourg | ~€600M | Oncology + genetic disease only | Specialist; company creation; in-house labs |
| Forbion | Netherlands | ~€5B | Broad biotech + bioeconomy | Europe's largest pure biotech VC; 11 funds |
| Sofinnova Partners | France | >€4B | Life sciences (all stages) | Oldest European LS VC (1972); 7 strategies |
| EQT Life Sciences (fka LSP) | Netherlands (EQT) | ~€2B+ | Drug development, devices | Acquired by EQT 2022; argenx, Qiagen exits |
| Kurma Partners | France/Germany | ~€730M | Healthcare therapeutics | Academic partnerships; Eurazeo-owned |
| Syncona | UK | Variable NAV | Life science building | Public company; asset realization mode |
Comparative Positioning
At approximately €600 million AUM, Droia is substantially smaller than Forbion (€5B) and Sofinnova (€4B+), but this scale enables a more concentrated, hands-on portfolio approach. Key differentiators include:
Exclusive Therapeutic Focus: Unlike generalist competitors investing across biotech, medtech, and digital health, Droia maintains strict discipline around oncology and genetic diseases. This concentration builds deep domain expertise but increases sector-specific risk.
In-House Scientific Capability: Droia Labs provides validation services that most competitors lack, enabling independent verification of scientific claims before investment.
Company Creation Track Record: Demonstrated ability to found and build companies (Tusk, Montis, involvement in Pharvaris and Vico) distinguishes Droia from passive capital providers.
Transatlantic Reach: Despite European headquarters, Droia invests equally in U.S. and EU companies, with Boston-based personnel (Rez Halse, George Golumbeski) providing local presence.
Investment Considerations
Potential Strengths
- Domain Expertise: Concentrated focus in oncology and genetic diseases has built specialized knowledge enabling informed decision-making and portfolio company support
- Scientific Validation: Droia Labs provides independent diligence capability, reducing reliance on external claims and enabling early identification of promising science
- Company-Building Experience: Leadership team includes operators who have founded and led successful biotechs, providing practical guidance to portfolio companies
- Syndication Quality: Consistent co-investment with top-tier healthcare investors (Deerfield, RA Capital, Novartis VF) signals deal quality and ensures adequate funding for portfolio companies
- Exit Track Record: $3.5B+ in cumulative exit value demonstrates ability to generate returns, though concentrated in limited number of outcomes
- LP Retention: Reported high re-up rates across fund generations suggests investor satisfaction
Potential Risks
- Sector Concentration: Exclusive focus on two therapeutic areas creates vulnerability to sector-specific downturns, regulatory changes, or scientific setbacks
- Early-Stage Binary Risk: Seed and Series A investments in unproven science carry high failure rates; several large losses could materially impact fund returns
- Fund Size Constraints: ~€600M AUM limits capacity to support portfolio companies through multiple large financing rounds, potentially leading to dilution
- Key Person Risk: Heavy reliance on experienced partners (particularly Luc Dochez for genetic diseases) creates succession considerations
- Exit Timing Dependence: Drug development timelines (7-10+ years) and dependence on IPO/M&A windows create liquidity uncertainty
- Competition for Deals: Must compete with larger, better-resourced competitors for allocation in attractive opportunities
Recent Performance Indicators
The 2024 Ambrx acquisition by J&J for $2.0 billion represents a significant validation of Droia's investment approach. However, portfolio assessment requires considering the full distribution of outcomes, including the Cyteir delisting and ongoing positions in companies still years from potential liquidity events.
2025-2026 Outlook
Through late 2025, Droia maintained active deployment with investments in:
- Protego Biopharma ($130M Series B, December 2025)
- Actio Biosciences ($66M Series B, June 2025)
- Hillstar Bio ($67M Series A, March 2025)
Portfolio company Hummingbird Bioscience secured recognition through the BioTech Breakthrough Awards for its anti-VISTA antibody HMBD-002 and announced a licensing agreement with Endeavor BioMedicines for HMBD-501 worth up to $430 million in milestones.
No new fund announcements have emerged for 2025-2026, suggesting continued deployment from existing vehicles (Fund IV and Genetic Disease Fund). The firm's investment pace of approximately 3-4 investments annually appears sustainable given current AUM.
Key portfolio catalysts to monitor:
- Frontier Medicines PROSPER trial data
- Vico Therapeutics Phase 1/2a readouts for VO659
- Aura Biosciences Phase 3 CoMpass results
- Hillstar Bio first-in-human initiation (expected 2026)
- QurAlis clinical progression following Eli Lilly partnership
Conclusion
Droia Ventures represents a differentiated approach to European biotech venture capital: deeply specialized, scientifically rigorous, and operationally hands-on. The firm's combination of therapeutic focus, in-house laboratory capability, and company-building expertise positions it distinctly from larger generalist competitors.
The track record demonstrates both the potential upside (Ambrx $2B exit, Tusk acquisition, Pharvaris IPO) and inherent risks (Cyteir delisting) of concentrated early-stage biotech investing. With €450-600M in AUM across active funds and a portfolio of 24+ companies spanning preclinical to Phase 3 stages, Droia maintains multiple potential paths to future liquidity events.
For observers of the European biotech ecosystem, Droia's performance offers a case study in whether deep specialization can generate superior risk-adjusted returns compared to diversified approaches. The coming years—as current portfolio companies advance through clinical development—will provide additional data points on this question.
Disclaimer: The author is not a lawyer or financial adviser. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, legal advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before making any investment decisions.
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