Veteran Investors Launch Vie Ventures, Targeting Autoimmune Diseases with Unique Philanthropic Approach

In a significant development for the autoimmune disease research landscape, two seasoned biotech investors have joined forces to establish a new venture capital firm. Vie Ventures, launched on July 9, 2025, aims to bridge the gap between disease-focused philanthropies and for-profit therapeutic funding, with a particular emphasis on series B and C stage biotechs.

Founders and Strategic Collaborations

Steven St. Peter, M.D., and Luke Evnin, Ph.D., the architects behind Vie Ventures, bring decades of experience to their new endeavor. St. Peter, who will serve as the firm's managing director, previously held positions at MPM BioImpact and the T1D Fund. Evnin, taking on the role of senior advisor, has been chairperson of the Scleroderma Research Foundation for over two decades.

The firm has forged strategic alliances with several notable non-profit organizations, including the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, Lupus Research Alliance, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Scleroderma Research Foundation, and Sjögren's Foundation. To further strengthen these collaborations, Vie Ventures has enlisted Lou DeGennaro, Ph.D., former CEO of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as a senior advisor overseeing collaboration strategy.

Innovative Funding Model and Philanthropic Initiative

Vie Ventures' unique approach lies in its ability to leverage insights from disease-focused philanthropies to inform investment decisions. "We see a compelling opportunity to leverage our team's decades of differentiated experience to serve as a bridge between disease-focused philanthropies and the for-profit world funding therapeutics," St. Peter stated in the release.

In a notable commitment to their mission, the founders have announced plans to establish the Vie Ventures Foundation, a public charity funded by a share of their personal proceeds. This foundation aims to accelerate innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Market Context and Recent Fundraising Activities

The launch of Vie Ventures comes amid a flurry of activity in the immune-focused biotech sector. Several companies have made significant fundraising announcements in 2025, including Ouro Medicines ($120 million in January), Hillstar Bio ($67 million in March), and Merida Biosciences ($121 million in April). One of the largest autoimmune fundraises of the year was Abcuro's $200 million series C round in February, which will support the advancement of their anti-KLRG1 antibody through a pivotal phase 2/3 trial for muscle wasting disease.

As Vie Ventures enters this competitive landscape, its unique model of combining venture capital expertise with non-profit collaborations positions it to make informed investment decisions and potentially increase the success rate of its portfolio companies in the challenging field of autoimmune disease therapeutics.