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CTI Life Sciences Fund is a venture capital firm established in 2006 and headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology sector, the firm has developed a strong reputation for supporting innovative therapies and technologies that can significantly improve patient care. The firm currently manages a total of $345 million CAD in assets across three funds, with its latest fund, CTI LSF III, having closed its first tranche at $100 million CAD.
CTI Life Sciences Fund focuses on investing in high-quality biotech companies at various stages of development, particularly in pre-clinical and clinical phases. The firm has built a diverse portfolio of 12 companies, emphasizing scalable and marketable biotech solutions. Its limited partners include prominent institutions such as La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and BDC Capital, which provide a solid foundation for its investment activities.
CTI Life Sciences Fund employs a dual-pronged investment strategy that emphasizes both long-term value creation and expedited exit timelines. The firm invests primarily in therapeutic and modality-agnostic biotech companies, managing a diverse portfolio that spans pre-seed, seed, Series A, Series B, and Series C stages. This approach allows CTI Life Sciences Fund to support companies at various points in their development journey, from early-stage innovations to more mature clinical candidates.
The firm is particularly interested in companies that are developing innovative therapies and technologies in the biotech sector. CTI Life Sciences Fund looks for founders who demonstrate a strong vision and the ability to execute their plans effectively. The firm prefers to structure deals that allow for co-investment opportunities, enhancing the potential for successful outcomes in the life sciences sector.
CTI Life Sciences Fund has a notable portfolio of 12 companies, each contributing to advancements in the biotechnology sector. The following companies are included:
This diverse portfolio reflects CTI Life Sciences Fund's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the biotech industry, particularly in therapeutic areas with significant unmet medical needs.
Ken Pastor: Managing Partner with extensive experience in investment banking and biotech investing. He has been instrumental in leading several successful investments in the biotech sector.
Laurence Rulleau: Managing Partner who brings a wealth of knowledge in life sciences investments, focusing on strategic growth and operational excellence.
Youssef Bennani: Managing Partner with a strong background in biotech and healthcare investments, known for his expertise in deal structuring and risk management.
Shermaine Tiley: Managing Partner who has been with the firm since its inception, contributing to its growth and success in the biotech investment landscape.
Dana Matzen: Partner with a focus on early-stage investments in the biotech sector, leveraging her extensive network to support portfolio companies.
Xin Hang: Senior Principal with a background in life sciences and investment banking, providing valuable insights into market trends and opportunities.
Paul Cassar: Principal who specializes in evaluating biotech companies and identifying promising investment opportunities.
Radhika Gupta: Principal with expertise in biotech investments, focusing on supporting portfolio companies through their development stages.
To pitch CTI Life Sciences Fund, startups should visit their website at ctisciences.com for detailed instructions on the application process. The firm prefers pitches that include a comprehensive overview of the business model, market analysis, and scientific validation of the product.
Startups should also highlight their team’s qualifications and any existing partnerships that may strengthen their proposal. Response times can vary, but founders can expect to receive feedback within a few weeks of submission. Warm introductions are encouraged, as they can facilitate the review process.
In April 2026, CTI Life Sciences Fund successfully raised $100 million CAD as the first tranche of its third venture capital fund, CTI LSF III. This fund aims to continue supporting innovative biotech companies in North America.
In October 2024, Epitopea closed a $31 million Pre-Series A funding round, showcasing the firm's active involvement in supporting its portfolio companies.
Find Therapeutics received FDA clearance for its IND for a Phase 1 study, marking a significant milestone for the company and highlighting CTI Life Sciences Fund's commitment to advancing its portfolio.
What are CTI Life Sciences Fund's investment criteria?
CTI Life Sciences Fund invests in therapeutic and modality-agnostic biotech companies at various stages, including pre-seed, seed, Series A, Series B, and Series C. The firm seeks high-quality companies that demonstrate potential for scalable and marketable solutions.
How can startups apply or pitch to CTI Life Sciences Fund?
Startups interested in pitching to CTI Life Sciences Fund can visit their website at ctisciences.com for more information on the application process and to submit their proposals.
What makes CTI Life Sciences Fund different from other venture capital firms?
CTI Life Sciences Fund emphasizes a dual-pronged investment strategy that focuses on both long-term value creation and expedited exit timelines. This approach allows them to support companies effectively throughout their development stages.
What is the geographic scope of CTI Life Sciences Fund's investments?
The firm primarily invests in North America, with a strong focus on Canada. Approximately two-thirds of their investments are in Canadian companies, while the remaining third includes opportunities in the US and Europe.
What kind of post-investment involvement does CTI Life Sciences Fund have?
CTI Life Sciences Fund adds value to its portfolio companies through deep industry expertise, strategic guidance, and access to a robust network of partners and resources in the biotechnology sector. The team’s extensive experience enables them to support companies in navigating the complexities of the biotech landscape.
What is the fund size and check size range for CTI Life Sciences Fund?
CTI Life Sciences Fund manages a total of $345 million CAD across three funds, with a fund size of $258 million for its latest fund. The check sizes vary depending on the stage of investment, typically ranging from early-stage to more mature funding rounds.
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