Firms

Dementia Discovery Fund

Dementia Discovery Fund

svhealthinvestors.com

Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF) is an SV Health Investors venture strategy established in 2015 to create and finance biotechnology companies developing treatments for dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. It invests in scientific approaches to Alzheimer's disease and related conditions, spanning target discovery, drug delivery, gene therapy, immune biology and disease mechanisms. Its first fund reached £250 million in 2018, and DDF II closed with $269 million in commitments in May 2025. Miles Gerson and Christian Jung co-lead the current team, supported by investment professionals, venture partners and a scientific advisory board. Its listed portfolio includes Alchemab, Amphista Therapeutics, AstronauTx, AviadoBio, Cerevance, Cumulus Neuroscience, Harness Therapeutics, LoQus23 Therapeutics, Montara Therapeutics, NRG Therapeutics and Violet Therapeutics.

Founded
2015
Type
Venture capital

Funds2

  • Dementia Discovery Fund II$269M
  • Dementia Discovery Fund I£250M

Team

Operations and support

Anne PhelanAnne PhelanScientific Advisory Board Member
Barbara TateBarbara TateVenture Partner
Celina LeeCelina LeeGradiant in Residence
Ceri DaviesCeri DaviesScientific Advisory Board Member
Christian JungChristian JungPartner, Co-Lead
Damian CrowtherDamian CrowtherVenture Partner
Darshi SinghDarshi SinghHead of IT (shared SV role)
David ReynoldsDavid ReynoldsVenture Partner
Fiona ElwoodFiona ElwoodScientific Advisory Board Member
Gary RomanoGary RomanoVenture Partner
Georgia FrostGeorgia FrostVice President
Georgina EwelsGeorgina EwelsDirector, Investor Relations (shared SV role)
Hannah MaunderHannah MaunderSenior Associate, Investor Relations (shared SV role)
James CostineJames CostineChief Financial Officer, UK and Partner (shared SV role)
James SummersJames SummersVenture Partner
Jean Rivera IrizarryJean Rivera IrizarryAssociate
Joanna WolakJoanna WolakVenture Partner
Jodie O'NeillJodie O'NeillAccountant (shared SV role)
John LyonsJohn LyonsScientific Advisory Board Member
Jonathan MottJonathan MottChief Compliance Officer (shared SV role)
Kate BinghamKate BinghamManaging Partner (shared SV role)
Kerry SpellmanKerry SpellmanExecutive Assistant
Laurence BarkerLaurence BarkerPartner
Lennart SpindlerLennart SpindlerAssociate
Lisa BroadLisa BroadScientific Advisory Board Member
Lynne HughesLynne HughesVenture Partner
Maria CarrilloMaria CarrilloScientific Advisory Board Member
Michael HenekaMichael HenekaScientific Advisor
Michael HuttonMichael HuttonVenture Partner
Michael RossMichael RossSenior Partner (shared SV role)
Miles GersonMiles GersonPartner, Co-Lead
Nicole CoxNicole CoxExecutive Assistant
Niranjan BoseNiranjan BoseScientific Advisory Board Member
Rana Al-HallaqRana Al-HallaqScientific Advisory Board Member
Richard HargreavesRichard HargreavesScientific Advisory Board Member
Ross JeggoRoss JeggoScientific Advisory Board Member
Ruth McKernanRuth McKernanOperating Partner (shared SV role)
Susan KohlhaasSusan KohlhaasScientific Advisory Board Member
Tetsuyuki MaruyamaTetsuyuki MaruyamaVenture Partner
Tim HarrisTim HarrisOperating Partner (shared SV role)

Co-investing

Dolby Family Ventures
GV
LifeArc Ventures
Lightstone Ventures
MP Healthcare Venture Management

Investments

£6M2021-05-04Cumulus NeuroscienceDementia Discovery Fund, LifeArc Ventures, Future Fund
$20M2026-05-12CerevanceDouble Point Ventures, Gates Frontier, GV, Lightstone Ventures, Dementia Discovery Fund, UPMC Enterprises, MQB Partners
$20M2025-03-13Montara TherapeuticsDementia Discovery Fund, Two Bear Capital, Dolby Family Ventures, KdT Ventures, Troy Wilson, BEVC
$31M2025-03-05TRIMTECH TherapeuticsDementia Discovery Fund, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Michael Anstey, Pfizer Ventures, Eli Lilly and Company, MP Healthcare Venture Management, M Ventures, Cambridge Enterprise, Start Codon
$8M2024-07-30Montara TherapeuticsDementia Discovery Fund, Two Bear Capital, Dolby Family Ventures, KdT Ventures
$147M2023-12-20Sudo BiosciencesEnavate Sciences, TPG, Sanofi Ventures, Surveyor Capital, Monograph Capital, Eventide Asset Management, Frazier Life Sciences, Dementia Discovery Fund, Leaps by Bayer, UPMC Enterprises
$88M2023-03-09QurAlisDroia Ventures, EQT Life Sciences, Sanofi Ventures, INKEF Capital, Dementia Discovery Fund, Mission BioCapital, Polaris Innovation Fund, Amgen Ventures, ALS Investment Fund, Sanford Biosciences LLC, MP Healthcare Venture Management, Dolby Family Ventures, Mission Bay Capital, Mitsui & Co. Global Investment, Inc.
$51M2023-02-13CerevanceGates Frontier, Dementia Discovery Fund, Foresite Capital, GV, Lightstone Ventures, Takeda Ventures, Inc., UPMC Enterprises, Dolby Family Ventures
$80M2021-12-02AviadoBioNew Enterprise Associates, Monograph Capital, Advent Life Sciences, Dementia Discovery Fund, F-Prime Capital, LifeArc Ventures, EQT Life Sciences, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC
$42M2020-05-13QurAlisINKEF Capital, Dementia Discovery Fund, Mission BioCapital, Droia Ventures, Polaris Innovation Fund, Amgen Ventures, Sanford Biosciences LLC, MP Healthcare Venture Management, Dolby Family Ventures, Mitsui & Co. Global Investment, Inc.