OrbiMed Advisors LLC is a global investment firm specialising in healthcare and biotechnology, managing public and private equity, venture capital, and credit funds.
OrbiMed Advisors LLC, formerly Mehta & Isaly, is a private investment firm based in New York City, specialising in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors. It was established in 1998 by Samuel Isaly, Michael Sheffery, and Arvind Desai. OrbiMed's focus is on public and private equity, venture capital, and private credit. The firm manages approximately $18 billion in assets as of March 2024 and employs 112 professionals.
The company initially began as Mehta & Isaly in 1989, founded by S.G. Warburg pharmaceutical analysts Viren Mehta and Samuel Isaly. In 1998, the firm split into two entities, with Isaly forming OrbiMed Advisors. OrbiMed made its first venture capital investment in 1993 and expanded globally, opening offices in Shanghai, Mumbai, and Herzliya. In 2017, Samuel Isaly stepped down following allegations of misconduct.
OrbiMed invests globally in various healthcare fields, including biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and healthcare services. It supports companies at all stages of development, from start-ups to large corporations, offering tailored financing solutions. Its portfolio includes notable investments such as AbCellera Biologics, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, and Natera.
The firm operates across multiple regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia, and employs a team of over 130 professionals with expertise in life sciences, medicine, and finance. OrbiMed is known for its flexible investment strategies, which include private equity, private credit, and public equity funds.
OrbiMed has contributed to the development of over 60 healthcare therapies and has backed more than 90 life sciences start-ups. The firm is committed to responsible investing and has invested over $2 billion in healthcare initiatives in developing countries. The firm’s offices are located in major global markets, including New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Herzliya, and London.
OrbiMed Advisors LLC, originally known as Mehta & Isaly, was founded in 1989 by Viren Mehta and Samuel Isaly, who were pharmaceutical analysts at S.G. Warburg. Mehta & Isaly was a money-management and research firm focused on the healthcare industry.
The firm made its first venture capital investment in 1993. In 1998, the company split into two separate entities: Mehta formed Mehta Partners, while Isaly established OrbiMed Advisors, focusing on investments in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.
In 2000, OrbiMed launched its first dedicated venture capital fund, marking a significant step in its investment strategy. By 2007, OrbiMed expanded its global presence by opening offices in San Francisco, Shanghai, and later Mumbai, strengthening its reach in the United States and Asia.
In 2010, OrbiMed further extended its footprint by establishing an office in Herzliya, Israel, to support its investments in the Middle East.
In 2011, OrbiMed launched its first dedicated royalty/credit fund, diversifying its investment approach to include non-dilutive capital solutions for healthcare companies.
By 2015, the firm had grown significantly, hiring its 100th employee.
In 2017, OrbiMed expanded to Hong Kong, enhancing its presence in Asia. In the same year, Samuel Isaly stepped down as managing partner due to allegations of misconduct raised by former employees.
OrbiMed continued to grow, and in 2023, it opened an office in London, reinforcing its position in the European market.
As of March 2024, OrbiMed manages approximately $18 billion in assets and employs 112 professionals. The firm has invested in over 90 life sciences start-ups and contributed to the development of more than 60 healthcare therapies. It operates in key global markets with offices in New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Herzliya, and London. OrbiMed remains committed to supporting companies engaged in healthcare innovation, focusing on public equity, private equity, and private credit/royalty investments.
OrbiMed’s recent activities include raising over $4.3 billion across private investment funds and expanding its portfolio with significant investments in companies engaged in biopharmaceuticals, medical technologies, diagnostics, and healthcare services.
OrbiMed’s mission is to support and invest in innovative healthcare companies that improve global health outcomes. The firm seeks to identify and fund businesses developing breakthrough therapies, medical devices, diagnostics, and healthcare services. OrbiMed aims to provide these companies with the necessary capital and strategic guidance to help them succeed and grow. The firm is committed to responsible investing and sustainable growth, focusing on long-term value creation for its investors and society. Through its global presence and expertise, OrbiMed strives to make a positive impact on healthcare worldwide, enhancing patient care and advancing medical science.
OrbiMed’s core values are centred around promoting healthcare innovation, responsible investing, and long-term sustainable growth. The firm is committed to making impactful investments that not only generate returns for shareholders but also contribute positively to the global healthcare landscape.
Key Values:
OrbiMed's investment criteria focus on the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, targeting companies at various stages of development, from early-stage start-ups to large multinational corporations. The firm aims to invest in businesses that are involved in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare services, and related areas of healthcare innovation.
Key Investment Strategies:
OrbiMed looks for companies that focus on responsible, sustainable growth and aim to build long-term shareholder value. The firm is particularly interested in businesses that show potential for healthcare innovation and can address global health challenges. OrbiMed has also committed over $2 billion to healthcare initiatives in developing countries.
The firm has backed over 90 life sciences start-ups and contributed to the successful development of more than 60 healthcare therapies.
Here is a detailed portfolio of OrbiMed's investments, including a brief description of each company:
