JSR Life Sciences Launches Corporate Venture Fund

JSR Life Sciences LLC has debuted a fund designed to identify and accelerate new life science therapies and technologies. 

“JSR Life Sciences has extensive global knowledge and experience with early-stage research, discovery, and technology that improves clinical outcomes. We are uniquely positioned to understand what works and what the market needs,” said Jean-Pierre Wery, Ph.D., chief technology officer for JSR Life Sciences. “Initiating this fund and offering the ability to invest in the life sciences sector is a natural extension of our core expertise. Jason’s ability to connect with contacts in many different facets of our industry, along with his experience in forging relationships and identifying promising assets, make him optimally qualified to identify opportunities for long-term value in our industry.”

JSR intends to leverage the “JSR Life Sciences Corporate Venture Fund” to invest in multiple deals within the next few years. The fund is initially focusing on emerging life science companies with novel platforms and approaches to improving therapeutic outcomes and those with innovative technologies to support life science research, development, and manufacturing. To facilitate the fund’s operations, JSR has appointed Jason Yuanxin Zhang, Ph.D., whose experience includes life science research and investment consultation, to Head-Corporate Venture Fund.
 
Dr. Zhang brings to JSR extensive experience in international equity markets focused on the life sciences, having held multiple leadership roles with Prudential Equity, BMO Capital Markets, and Edison Group. He also served as senior vice president, Corporate Strategy, at Medisun Holdings, and most recently with Humanwell Healthcare Group, serving as chief operating officer and managing director, International Investment and Business Development. Prior life sciences work includes several research positions with Eli Lilly and holding board positions with several biotech companies, including Mirata Pharmaceuticals and Denovo Biopharma.

Dr. Zhang earned a Ph.D. in botanical sciences (plant pathology-cell, molecular, and neurosciences) from the University of Hawaii, an MBA from Indiana University Kelly School of Business, and a master’s of science degree from China Agricultural University in Beijing.
 
“I look forward to working with JSR Life Sciences as the company enters a major inflection point with its new corporate venture fund,” said Dr. Zhang. “I value JSR’s dedication to discovering new therapies and technologies and look forward to bringing my experience in leadership, growth, and business development to support their work.”
 
A business unit of JSR Corporation, JSR Life Science LLC (JSR LS) is changing human health as a strategic partner and pathfinder for the life sciences industry. Rooted in a history of materials innovation, JSR LS provides specialized products, materials, and services to biopharmaceutical companies and academic researchers. Together with its affiliates, JSR LS offers integrated services that de-risk molecule selection, accelerate biologic development timelines, increase clinical success rates, and develop novel in-vitro diagnostics. JSR LS’s global network of affiliates includes Crown Bioscience, KBI Biopharma Inc., Selexis SA, and MEDICAL & BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES CO. LTD. The company operates R&D and applications labs, manufacturing facilities, and sales offices worldwide.