Syncona Ltd, a leading healthcare company focused on creating, building and scaling global leaders in life science, today announces the appointment of Roel Bulthuis as Managing Partner and Head of investments. Roel brings over 20 years of life science venture capital, business development and investment banking experience to Syncona as the Company progresses through its next phase of growth.
Roel joins from Inkef Capital, an Amsterdam-based venture capital firm. As Managing Partner and head of healthcare, he led the firm’s growth into a leading European healthcare VC platform. Before this he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Merck Group’s M-Ventures for almost 10 years, where he played an instrumental role in creating the business and building it into a leading corporate venture capital fund. Prior to his time at M-Ventures, Roel held senior positions in global business development at Merck Serono and was in the investment banking team at Fortis Bank. Roel holds a MSc in Biopharmaceutical Sciences from Leiden University, Netherlands and an MBA in Finance from the Helsinki School of Economics, Finland.
Roel’s extensive experience in delivering value through the life science investment cycle will allow him to manage and develop Syncona’s growing investment team and play an important role on the leadership team in driving forward best-in-class operations. Syncona will also benefit from Roel’s extensive European investment network as it progresses an increasingly diversified portfolio.
Chris Hollowood, CEO, Syncona Investment Management Limited, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Roel to Syncona. He has an impressive track record of investing in great life science businesses through the cycle and taking a long-term view on generating value – both principles which are central to our approach. As we scale and seek to expand our portfolio, we have sought to bring in senior investment experience to drive portfolio companies through the clinic, attract top tier investors to fund our companies alongside us and develop our team to build a sustainable platform for the delivery of world-class biotech companies. I am looking forward to working alongside Roel and on behalf of the team welcome him to Syncona.”
Roel Bulthuis, Managing Partner, Syncona Investment Management Limited, said: “Syncona has a unique approach to leveraging the best scientific innovation and creating globally leading life science businesses that have a real impact on patients. I am excited by the opportunity to embed myself into a team with such a breadth of experience and expertise and look forward to contributing to the achievement of their important mission.”