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Jo Shen is a Venture Partner at Vivo Capital, a prominent healthcare investment firm. She is renowned for her extensive background as a serial CEO, having led multiple biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to successful acquisitions, and now applies that operational expertise to healthcare investments.
Jo Shen invests in the healthcare sector, focusing on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. As a Venture Partner at Vivo Capital, she leverages her operational experience to identify and support innovative companies within these areas.
Jo Shen works as a Venture Partner at Vivo Capital, a leading healthcare investment firm. Vivo Capital has offices in Palo Alto, California, and other locations, focusing on global healthcare opportunities.
Doctor Jo Shen is a Board Director at Formosa Pharmaceuticals and a Venture Partner at Vivo Capital, based in Taiwan. She previously spent 17 years as the Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ScinoPharm Taiwan, leading the active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer from its 1997 inception into a publicly traded global supplier before retiring in 2014. Prior to establishing ScinoPharm, she held various senior management, research, and technical roles at major corporations including Syntex Corporation and Monsanto. Shen holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Lehigh University, a Master of Science in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from National Taiwan University. With over 40 years of international industry experience, her current focus centers on providing strategic oversight and guiding biotechnology investments across the broader life sciences ecosystem.
Jo Shen is a distinguished Venture Partner at Vivo Capital, a leading healthcare investment firm. Her role at Vivo Capital is uniquely shaped by an exceptional career as a serial entrepreneur and CEO, where she consistently demonstrated an ability to build and scale successful biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. At Vivo Capital, Ms. Shen leverages this profound operational experience to identify promising new ventures, conduct rigorous due diligence, and provide invaluable strategic guidance to portfolio companies across the firm's diverse healthcare investment landscape.
Ms. Shen's investment focus aligns perfectly with Vivo Capital's mission to invest in innovative companies across the healthcare spectrum. This includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. Her particular strength lies in her deep understanding of what it takes to develop, commercialize, and ultimately achieve successful exits for life science companies. She brings a CEO's perspective to investment decisions, evaluating not just the science, but also the operational execution, market strategy, and leadership teams crucial for long-term success.
Before joining Vivo Capital as a Venture Partner, Jo Shen built an impressive career marked by significant leadership roles. She served as President and CEO of multiple companies that achieved successful acquisitions, demonstrating her prowess in creating substantial shareholder value. Her notable achievements include leading Aragon Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson, and Ambit Biosciences, acquired by Daiichi Sankyo. She also spearheaded Omthera Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by AstraZeneca, and KAI Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Amgen. Earlier in her career, she was President and CEO of Connetics Corporation, which was acquired by Stiefel Laboratories, a GSK company. These experiences highlight her expertise across various stages of company development, from early-stage growth to market entry and strategic acquisition.
Beyond her CEO roles, Ms. Shen held key positions at major pharmaceutical companies, including Vice President of Global Commercial Operations at Biogen Idec and various leadership roles at Schering-Plough. This foundational experience provided her with a comprehensive understanding of global commercialization, drug development, and regulatory pathways, all of which she now brings to bear in her investment decisions at Vivo Capital.
Jo Shen's extensive background makes her an invaluable asset to Vivo Capital and its portfolio companies. Her ability to mentor executive teams, navigate complex industry challenges, and identify strategic opportunities is a cornerstone of her contribution. She is not just an investor; she is a seasoned operator who understands the intricacies of bringing life-changing therapies and technologies to market, making her a pivotal figure in the healthcare investment ecosystem.
