This investment in Vivo VIII provides late stage venture and early stage growth capital to be invested in the United States and China. This investment helps bridge two of the world's largest healthcare markets and enables cross-country relationships that will allow for market expansion and access to new products. The fund aims to combine the innovation and expertise with the growth and capital of the different regions using their presence in both regions.
JJDC is the first healthcare venture group to invest in Vivo VIII. With headquarters in Palo Alto, Shanghai, and Beijing, Vivo Capital maintains a long history of partnership with entrepreneurs and industry members in both countries.
"We are excited about our investment in Vivo VIII as part of our strategy to support and advance innovation in the Asia Pacific region," said Vladimir Makatsaria, Company Group Chairman of Medical Devices, Asia Pacific for Johnson & Johnson. "Vivo Capital's differentiated strategy and depth of experience in China and the United States provides us a greater window on the emerging science in China, and opportunities to invest in these promising companies."
Vivo Capital has managed a total of seven funds in the last 17 years. They have participated in seven IPOs in China, and have coordinated two of the largest medical device exits in Chinese history with China Kanghui and Trauson. In the United States, the fund has managed multiple exits, including Ceptaris, Neomend, Vicept, and Rempex. Given the room for continued industry growth in China, investment opportunities remain abundant, with total healthcare expenditure set to grow to USD $1 trillion by 2020, with an average growth rate of 18% every year since 2012.
About Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC
About Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc. is the venture capital subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson that has been investing since 1973 in medical device, diagnostic, pharmaceutical and consumer health areas. Our goal is to create opportunities that meet the strategic needs of Johnson & Johnson while providing visibility to innovative emerging technology, businesses and business models. JJDC measures the success of an investment's performance not only in financial returns, but also in the viability of providing strategic growth opportunities for the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. JJDC is interested in opportunities that address significant unmet medical needs, have clear competitive advantages, IP protection, an executable clinical and commercialization plan and are led by experienced management. JJDC invests in companies across the continuum from early stage seed investments to advanced stages of series venture management. Our investment teams are based in Johnson & Johnson Innovation's four regional innovation centers in Boston, California, London and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.jnjinnovation.com.
(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities of this investment may not be realized. Investments in externally sourced innovation are inherently risky, with no guarantee of success. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, including in Exhibit 99 thereto, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments).