Italian pharmaceutical Chiesi Group announced uesterday the launch of its venture capital fund, Chiesi Ventures, via a strategic collaboration with A. M. Pappas & Associates.
Chiesi Ventures will focus on  the area of rare diseases by investing in early stage opportunities and expanding the Chiesi network in the US among universities, venture capital investors, rare disease patient organizations and entrepreneurial companies developing treatments for rare diseases.
Chiesi Ventures will have offices in Boston, MA, Research Triangle Park, NC and Parma, Italy and will focus on investment opportunities in the US and Europe. It will operate as an independent investment vehicle while maintaining a strategic connection with the Chiesi Group.
Chiesi Ventures will leverage A. M. Pappas & Associates’ expertise and network to access and assess deals and opportunities, lead investments and manage transactions. A. M. Pappas & Associates is dedicated to the development of life science companies, products, technologies, and other entrepreneurial opportunities, and is known for its experience and expertise in making rare disease and targeted therapeutic investments. Through its Pappas Ventures business unit, A. M. Pappas & Associates has worked with such companies as Plexxikon (acquired by Daiichi Sankyo), Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (IPO), Lumena Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Shire), LEAD Therapeutics (acquired by BioMarin Pharmaceutical), and Balance Therapeutics.
The Chiesi Group is a research-focused international group, with nearly 80 years of experience, headquartered in Parma (Italy). Chiesi researches, develops and commercializes innovative pharmaceutical solutions in the respiratory therapeutics and specialist medicine areas. In 2013, Chiesi achieved sales of over 1.2 billion ruros, constituting double digit growth over 2012.  The group employs approximately 3,900 people, 480 of which are dedicated to R&D activities.
