Parkinsons Virtual Biotech

What they do

Founded in 2017 by Parkinson's UK, the Parkinson's Virtual Biotech operates like a traditional biotech company but without the overhead of physical laboratories or full-time research staff. It uses a "virtual" model, outsourcing work to contract research organizations (CROs) and partnering directly with early-stage biotech startups. In 2022, the initiative expanded globally through a multi-million-dollar strategic partnership with the US-based Parkinson's Foundation. The fund is highly regarded for adapting successful venture capital methods to the charitable sector, effectively de-risking early-stage science.

What they look for

The firm's core thesis is to plug the critical funding gap in early-stage drug development for Parkinson's disease. They provide targeted funding to de-risk promising scientific discoveries, helping them progress from the laboratory bench to Phase 2 clinical trials. Their ultimate goal is to deliver life-changing new treatments in years, not decades, prioritizing patient outcomes over pure financial profit.

Stage

Pre-seed, Seed, Series A

Sectors

Healthcare, Deeptech

Based

London, GB