Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, your trusted inside track on the people, deals, and dynamics shaping European venture.
This week, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Mariette Roesink, Co‑Founder of Curie Capital. Named after Marie Curie, the fund backs breakthrough life science technologies with a mission to both deliver outsized returns and transform patient outcomes.
Mariette and her co-founder Han de Groot have already been part of two unicorn exits, raised €200M across their portfolio in a single year, and — most strikingly — can point to zero bankruptcies across 25 investments. As family office-backed GPs, they also invest significant personal capital alongside LPs.
They dive into Curie’s approach, the unique dynamics of European biotech, why Western Europe is a life science powerhouse, and how to make life science VC anything but “binary.”
Whether you’re an LP curious about the sector, a GP sharpening your pitch, or a founder in healthtech — this conversation is packed with insights.
Here’s what’s covered:
01:00 | Why Curie Capital is named after Marie Curie
03:00 | High financial returns + patient impact: the dual promise of biotech
05:00 | Why GPs investing their own family money matters
07:00 | Raising €200M in “harsh” markets — portfolio highlights
09:30 | The billion-dollar impact story of Acerta Pharma
12:00 | Building specialist networks & engaging strategics early
14:00 | TargED Biotherapeutics: developing a breakthrough stroke therapy
17:00 | Zero bankruptcies — besides capital Curie helps the
young ventures with their network to support raising next rounds
and partnering
20:00 | The Curie Capital team — science, business, and hands-on support
21:30 | Why Western Europe is a life sciences powerhouse
23:30 | The 6.1x valuation gap between EU & US early-stage biotech
25:00 | The truth about life science holding periods & exits
27:00 | Educating LPs: why life science VC isn’t as binary as many think
🎧 Listen on Apple or Spotify — chapters are ready for easy navigation.
✍️ Show Notes
GP Skin in the Game
Curie Capital’s founders aren’t just managers — they’re LPs. With significant commitments from their own family offices, more than half of current AUM is GP capital. It’s conviction, alignment, and integrity in action.
Zero Bankruptcies — How?
Across 25+ investments, Mariette and Han boast zero bankruptcies. The secret? It starts with our smart and stringent selection of new investments. Secondly, we provide a lot of support and share a valuable network to find the right new investors or market experts.
Life Sciences: Outsized Impact & Returns
Biotech isn’t just about impact. When products demonstrate efficacy and safety, strategic buyers are waiting. Acerta Pharma, for example, was acquired by AstraZeneca for $11B, thanks to its breakthrough in CLL treatment.
Western Europe: The Untold Advantage
Top 10 globally in biotech & medtech research output
Legendary blockbusters like Keytruda and Remicade were born here
Valuation arbitrage: early-stage EU biotech valuations are 6.1x lower than US, creating powerful upside at exit
Example: TargED BiotherapeuticsBacked by Curie since spin-out, they’re developing a therapy for acute ischemic stroke, potentially deliverable in ambulances — a game changer for millions. Phase II trials start this year.
Mitigating the “Binary” Myth
Mariette: “People think life sciences is binary. But with rigorous milestone- based investing and strategic buy-in from pharma early on, we create multiple value inflection points towards an exit with strategic buyers that are hungry for new promising treatments - definitely not coin tosses.”
🤗 Join the EUVC Community
Looking for niche, high-quality experiences that prioritize depth over breadth? Consider joining our community focused on delivering content tailored to the experienced VC. Here’s what you can look forward to as a member:
Exclusive Access & Discounts: Priority access to masterclasses with leading GPs & LPs, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
On-Demand Content: A platform with sessions you can access anytime, anywhere, complete with presentations, templates, and other resources.
Interactive AMAs: Engage directly with top GPs and LPs in exclusive small group sessions — entirely free for community members.
