The News

Sofinnova Parners voted European VC Firm of the year in Global Private Equity Awards

10/03/2005

Paris, 10 March 2005 – Sofinnova Partners has been voted “VC Firm of the Year” for Europe in the fifth annual Global Private Equity Awards for 2004 conducted by Private Equity International and its sister website, PrivateEquityOnline. Thousands of votes were cast in largest ever online reader poll to reveal the top ranking people, deals and firms in private equity globally.

“These awards are always fascinating because there are no shortlists or judging panels: any one who reads our magazine or website can participate and this year we had thousands of votes cast from all parts of the private equity community and from all over the world. GPs, LPs, bankers, lawyers, placement agents – everyone had their say,” commented David Hawkins, Publisher of Private Equity International and PrivateEquityOnline.com.

This year’s winners include Sequoia Capital, “VC Firm of the Year” for the US, CVC Capital Partners, “Buyout Firm of the Year for Europe,” and MVision Private Equity Advisers Ltd, “Placement Agent of the Year” for Europe. MVision acted as global adviser exclusive placement agent for Sofinnova Partners, which recently closed its fifth venture capital fund at €385 million. Sofinnova V will invest in start-up and early-stage life sciences and information technology opportunities in France and other European countries.
 
“It’s notable to see Sofinnova, a France-based venture firm, win the European Venture Firm of the Year category as it’s all too easy to expect UK-based firms to dominate,” said Philip Borel, Managing Editor of Private Equity International.

“We are delighted and honoured by the results of this poll of our peers, and we congratulate winners in other categories,” said Jean-Bernard Schmidt, Chairman and a Managing Partner of Sofinnova Partners.