Healthcare VC, Copenhagen

Sunstone Life Science Ventures

Venture capital firm · Copenhagen · Founded 2007

Quick read

Sunstone Life Science Ventures is a European early-stage VC founded in 2007 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. It manages approximately €500M across four funds, making it one of the largest Nordic life science investors. The firm backs drug development companies at Series A/B, with Fund IV actively deploying capital into therapeutics.

Key facts

Founded
2007
Founders
Søren Lemonius, Sten Verland
Employees
13
Sectors
healthcare, biotech
Website
sunstone.eu

Investment thesis

Sunstone backs early-stage European biotech companies developing novel therapeutics for humans, typically entering at Series A or B on the basis of solid in-vivo preclinical data and a well-understood mechanism of action. The firm targets specialty pharmaceuticals and orphan drugs, with a strong preference for companies positioned for exit via M&A.

Recent activity

  • Early 2026press
    Sunstone published an updated M&A returns study covering European and US biotech venture capital transactions through end-2025, compiled by student assistant Sophie Blomgren-Hansen. The dataset now holds close to 250 transactions; 2025 additions are highlighted separately. Key finding: risk-adjusted multiples decline as total capital raised approaches EUR 100 million, reinforcing Sunstone's focus on the first EUR 50 million invested. dk.linkedin.com
  • Feb 2025leadership
    Co-founder Sten Verland transitioned from General Partner to a part-time Venture Partner role, effective February 1, after 17 years as GP and nearly 40 years in the life science industry. linkedin.com
  • 2024investment
    Sunstone's most recent portfolio exit was JenaValve, completed in July 2024. hub.waveup.com
  • Recentpress
    Portfolio company Neumirna Therapeutics won the Nordic Star Award at Nordic Life Science Days. linkedin.com
  • Recentinvestment
    Sunstone backed Resalis Therapeutics, which is developing RES-010, a non-coding RNA compound targeting miR-22 inhibition for obesity and metabolic disorders, designed to complement GLP-1/GIP-1 therapies. linkedin.com
  • Oct 2023investment
    Sunstone LSV Fund IV joined the extended Series A round of DiogenX, a Marseille-based biotech developing a recombinant protein to regenerate insulin-producing beta cells for type 1 diabetes. The round reached €33.5 million total, with co-investors including Roche Venture Fund, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Eli Lilly, and Omnes. Claus Andersson joined DiogenX's board. diogenx.com
  • Jan 2023investment
    Sunstone joined as a new investor in Rewind Therapeutics, a Leuven-based company developing treatments for demyelination-associated diseases including multiple sclerosis. Financial terms were not disclosed. Claus Andersson joined Rewind's board of directors. rwdtx.com
  • Feb 2022investment
    Sunstone co-invested in TargED Biopharmaceuticals' €39 million Series A alongside Andera Partners, Fund+, Hadean Ventures, and Inkef Capital. TargED is developing Microlyse, a first-in-class targeted thrombolytic treatment, with initial indications in acquired TTP and acute ischemic stroke. fundplus.be
  • Mar 2021investment
    Sunstone invested in Step Pharma's €35 million round. unicornalert.io
  • Nov 2020investment
    Sunstone co-led a CHF 20 million (USD 21 million) Series A in Synendos Therapeutics alongside Kurma Partners. Synendos, a University of Bern spin-off, develops neuropsychiatric treatments targeting the endocannabinoid system. baselaunch.ch
  • Sep 2019investment
    Sunstone joined the €20 million Series A in STipe Therapeutics, co-led by Novo Holdings and Arix Bioscience, with Wellington Partners also participating. STipe targets the STING pathway in innate immunity, oncology, and autoimmune disorders. wellington-partners.com
  • ~2024press
    Sunstone relocated its office from central Copenhagen to Symbion Community in Frederiksberg, moving closer to the Danish biotech startup community after six years at its previous address. dk.linkedin.com

Notable investments

Key people

Named individuals at the firm. We don't expose direct email or phone — use their LinkedIn for outreach.

  • Claus Andersson · General Partner
    LinkedIn
  • Hans T. Schambye · Venture Partner
  • Sten Verland · Managing Partner
  • Robert Akoury · Partner
  • Helle Bach Riley · Partner

Sources

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Frequently asked

What is Sunstone Life Science Ventures?+

Sunstone Life Science Ventures is a European early-stage VC founded in 2007 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. It manages approximately €500M across four funds, making it one of the largest Nordic life science investors.

Where is Sunstone Life Science Ventures headquartered?+

Sunstone Life Science Ventures is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.

When was Sunstone Life Science Ventures founded?+

Sunstone Life Science Ventures was founded in 2007 by Søren Lemonius, Sten Verland.

What sectors does Sunstone Life Science Ventures invest in?+

Sunstone Life Science Ventures focuses on healthcare, biotech. They primarily invest in these sectors.

How do I prepare for a meeting with Sunstone Life Science Ventures?+

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Generated by briefthecall.com from public web sources. Last updated August 11, 2026. Each claim is linked to its source above.

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