Vivo Capital describes itself as a global healthcare specialist running a multi-strategy investment platform that covers venture capital, private equity and public equity. Its investment strategy page names three distinct strategies: the Vivo Innovation Fund, which invests in venture-stage companies developing healthcare technologies or products; Vivo Capital Private Equity, which combines growth capital for companies at commercial inflection points with a buyout strategy covering leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, spin-offs and restructurings; and the Vivo Opportunity Fund, a long-only strategy investing primarily in global public equities of small and mid-cap biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science companies through follow-ons, PIPEs, registered directs and IPOs. The firm states it has invested in over 460 healthcare companies and operates from Palo Alto with offices in China and a presence in Singapore.
Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO), a position Vivo Opportunity Fund Holdings, L.P. reported on Schedule 13D, subject of a $2.9 billion acquisition by Neurocrine Biosciences announced April 2026
1996
BDF Fund, described by Vivo as the predecessor of Vivo Capital, is formed by Dr. Frank Kung and Dr. Edgar Engleman in Palo Alto, focused on biotech venture investments.
2000
The firm makes its early explorations in the Asia healthcare market, per its own history page.
2007
Vivo establishes its office in China.
2013
Shan Fu joins Vivo as Managing Partner, Co-CEO and CEO of Greater China.
2014
Vivo Capital, LLC registration as an SEC investment adviser becomes effective on 19 June 2014 (CRD 159868, SEC file 801-79829).
2015
Vivo raises its first standalone venture capital fund, Vivo Innovation Fund I, also called the Vivo PANDA Fund.
2016
Vivo raises its first private equity fund, Vivo Capital Fund VIII, focused on growth and buyout investments.
2018
Vivo spins out a dedicated Opportunity Fund focused on biotech public equity investments.
2023
Vivo establishes a presence in Singapore.
2025
On 7 May 2025 Vivo announces the close of the third cycle of the Vivo Opportunity Fund with commitments of over $740 million, and states approximately $5.3 billion in regulatory assets under management.
2025
Managing Partner Jack B. Nielsen dies on 5 June 2025; Vivo publishes an In Memoriam notice the same day.
2026
On 3 February 2026 LBO France announces the sale of Dutscher Group to Vivo Capital, with Managing Partner Michael Chang quoted; Vivo's own news index dates the completed acquisition 1 July 2026.
2026
On 8 April 2026 co-founders Ed Engleman and Frank Kung publish a 30th anniversary letter stating the firm was originally named BioAsia Investments before being renamed Vivo Capital.
2026
On 14 July 2026 Vivo announces the Vivo Capital Donor Fund, a philanthropic initiative funded by a contribution from Vivo's management company.