Forbion Raises Record €2.3 Billion, Defying European Biotech Funding Slump

Life sciences venture capital firm Forbion announced on Tuesday it has raised a record €2.3 billion ($2.6 billion) for two new funds, a major capital injection that stands in stark contrast to a broader downturn in European venture fundraising. The successful raise, which the firm said was its largest to date, signals powerful investor confidence in specialist biotech investors even as the continent faces what Forbion and other market observers describe as a "general shortage of capital." The fundraising substantially exceeded its initial target and was completed "at pace," according to a statement from the Netherlands-based firm. This influx of capital brings Forbion's total assets under management to approximately €7.5 billion, an increase of 50% in just two years. The firm noted the total represents one of the largest life sciences venture capital fundraisings globally over the last five years, positioning it to significantly influence the direction of European biotech innovation.…