Vivo Capital
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Investment management, Healthcare, Biotechnology |
| Predecessor | BioAsia Investments |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Frank Kung, Edgar G. Engleman |
| Headquarters | Palo Alto , United States |
Area served | United States, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan |
| Products | Private equity, Public equity, Venture capital investments in healthcare and biotechnology |
Number of employees | 73 (2023) |
Vivo Capital (referred to as "Vivo") is a U.S.-based investment company located in Palo Alto, California, concentrating on both public and private sector investments within the healthcare and biotechnology fields.
Background
Established in 1996 under the name BioAsia Investments by founders Frank Kung and Edgar G. Engleman—who had earlier co-founded Genelabs Technologies (later acquired by GSK plc in 2008)—Vivo Capital dedicates its efforts primarily to healthcare-related investments. The firm employs a tripartite investment strategy encompassing Private equity, public equity, and Venture capital. Traditionally, approximately 70% of Vivo’s investment capital is directed toward biotechnology enterprises, with the remaining 30% allocated to medical device companies. Over time, the firm has transitioned its focus from early-stage ventures to growth-stage and buyout opportunities. Since the early 2000s, Vivo has broadened its international reach, particularly expanding into Asian markets such as China to leverage emerging growth prospects.
Vivo seeks out biotechnology companies developing treatments supported by clinical trial data involving human subjects but invests across all phases of development. Its investment portfolio features prominent firms including Sinovac Biotech, known for creating the COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac, alongside WuXi AppTec, Amyris, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, and Precision BioSciences. The company’s operational model centers on providing strategic guidance in healthcare innovation while exerting market influence through a diverse range of investment platforms.
As of March 2025, Vivo manages assets totaling roughly $5.3 billion and employs 73 staff members (as of March 2023). Its organizational framework includes headquarters in Palo Alto and additional offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taipei, facilitating its international investment activities.