Taiho Ventures Celebrates 10 Years of Backing Healthcare Startups

The corporate venture capital arm of Taiho Pharmaceutical has invested in over 30 innovative companies since its founding in 2016.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:53am

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A photorealistic studio still life photograph featuring a polished glass beaker filled with a vibrant blue liquid, placed on a clean white background and illuminated with dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the innovative pharmaceutical research and development supported by Taiho Ventures' corporate venture capital investments.Taiho Ventures' decade of supporting cutting-edge healthcare startups is symbolized by this elegant, minimalist still life of a precision laboratory instrument.Menlo Park Today

Taiho Ventures, LLC, the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Japanese pharmaceutical company Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Taiho Ventures has built an impressive track record, maintaining the largest fund size among CVCs in the Japanese pharmaceutical industry, investing in over 30 innovative healthcare startups, and achieving multiple successful exits through acquisitions and IPOs.

Why it matters

Taiho Ventures' evergreen fund structure and global investment approach have allowed it to take a patient, long-term view in supporting promising healthcare startups. As it enters its second decade, the CVC remains committed to identifying and backing transformative technologies that address unmet medical needs, contributing to the development of innovative therapies.

The details

Over the past 10 years, Taiho Ventures has invested in more than 30 companies developing novel therapeutics and cutting-edge healthcare technologies. The CVC has achieved multiple successful exits, including acquisitions of portfolio companies Dren Bio, Halda Therapeutics, and Orna Therapeutics, as well as several IPOs. Taiho Ventures' first portfolio company, Arcus Biosciences, also granted Taiho Pharmaceutical exclusive licenses to five pipeline programs in certain territories, strengthening the parent company's R&D pipeline.

  • Taiho Ventures, LLC was established on April 15, 2016.
  • Taiho Ventures is celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 15, 2026.

The players

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

A Japanese specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on oncology, allergy, and immunology.

Taiho Ventures, LLC

The strategic corporate venture capital arm of Taiho Pharmaceutical, which has maintained the largest fund size among CVCs in the Japanese pharmaceutical industry and has invested in over 30 innovative healthcare startups.

Arcus Biosciences, Inc.

Taiho Ventures' first portfolio company, which granted Taiho Pharmaceutical exclusive licenses to five pipeline programs in certain territories.

Dren Bio

A healthcare startup acquired by Sanofi, one of Taiho Ventures' successful exits.

Halda Therapeutics, Inc.

A healthcare startup acquired by Johnson & Johnson, one of Taiho Ventures' successful exits.

Orna Therapeutics, Inc.

A healthcare startup acquired by Eli Lilly and Company, one of Taiho Ventures' successful exits.

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What’s next

As Taiho Ventures enters its second decade, the CVC remains committed to identifying and supporting promising healthcare startups on a global scale, with the goal of contributing to the development of transformative technologies that address unmet medical needs.

The takeaway

Taiho Ventures' successful 10-year track record, including multiple exits and a strengthened pipeline for its parent company, demonstrates the value of a patient, long-term approach to corporate venture capital investment in the healthcare sector.