The secrets to 50 years of success in life sciences investment

This is a milestone year for Sofinnova Partners — 50 years of existence. In Labiotech.eu, Chairman and Managing Partner Antoine Papiernik lays out some of the key ingredients that have made Sofinnova Partners the longest-operating life sciences venture capital firm in Europe.

The relationship between early-stage investors and life science entrepreneurs is deep and complex, Papiernik writes. "When there’s a healthy balance of loyalty, honesty, excitement, and respect" the union "can lead to breakthrough discoveries that make the world a better place."

Though its partnerships with entrepreneurs have pre-programmed end dates, Sofinnova Partners only goes into relationships that feel like they could be happy, long-term commitments. That way, if things don't work out, sometimes for reasons beyond anyone's control, they would feel comfortable trying something new with the same people.

Finding these matches and creating successful companies from them involves focusing on shared values and ethics, learning from up-and-coming generations, embracing diversity, and treating people fairly.

You need passion and audacity to make successful venture capital investments, Papiernik writes, but empathy, consensus, collaboration, and compassion are the qualities that keep a firm going for decades.

Read the full article at Labiotech.eu.