Rob Woodman has departed from Takeda Ventures, the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of pharmaceutical firm Takeda, and joined Italy-headquartered venture capital firm Panakès Partners.
Takeda Ventures hired Woodman in 2018 as a UK-based senior partner and head of Genesis Labs, the corporate’s research and development-focused internal incubator scheme. His role included leading investments in, and joining the boards of companies including Transine Therapeutics and Catamaran Bio.
Woodman has taken a partner role at Panakès Partners and will lead its newly formed biotechnology investment team. The firm reached a $180m first close of its second vehicle, Purple Fund, in July this year.
Fabrizio Landi, president of Panakès, said: “Led by Rob, the Panakès biotech team will support leading biotech entrepreneurs and founders to create companies able to transform patient care.”
Woodman added: “The [Panakès biotech] team’s strategy will be to support the growth of entrepreneurial companies who will reshape healthcare globally by addressing real medical needs, saving lives, and providing a better quality of life for patients.”
Photo of Rob Woodman courtesy of LinkedIn.
