Giovanni Mariggi (Medicxi)
Overview
Giovanni Mariggi is a prominent figure in the venture capital sector, particularly known for his work in life sciences and biotechnology. He is a co-founder and partner at Medicxi, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm. Under his leadership, Medicxi has become renowned for its asset-centric investment approach, focusing on developing companies that can drive transformative patient care. Mariggi has been instrumental in guiding Medicxi's investments in several successful biotechnology firms and continues to serve on the boards of multiple portfolio companies, underscoring his significant influence in the biotech investment landscape.
Recent Developments
Recent years have seen Giovanni Mariggi making headlines with several significant accomplishments through Medicxi:
- November 14, 2025: Medicxi announced the closing of its fifth fund, "Medicxi V," raising €500 million. This fund aims to support innovative biotech companies with focused product visions to transform patient care, leveraging a capital-efficient investment strategy. This success is a testament to the confidence investors have in Medicxi's asset-centric model (source).
- March 17, 2025: Giovanni Mariggi played a key role in leading a $110 million Series B funding round for Curevo Vaccine, which aims to advance the development of an improved shingles vaccine. This investment highlights Medicxi's continued focus on vaccine innovation (source).
- July 22, 2025: Medicxi achieved a major milestone with the acquisition of Vicebio, a company they helped found, by Sanofi for $1.6 billion. Vicebio was created to develop next-generation vaccines using proprietary technology, exemplifying success under Mariggi's strategic guidance (source).
- Over the past decade, Medicxi has generated €2.3 billion in total capital commitments, illustrating the firm's strategic prowess in backing scientific entrepreneurs and maintaining a robust portfolio performance (source).
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giovanni Mariggi |
| Born | Novara, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Co-founder & Partner at Medicxi |
| Known For | Venture capital in life sciences |
| Education | BSc from Imperial College London, PhD from University College London |
| Residence | Geneva |
Early Life and Education
Born in Novara, Italy, Giovanni Mariggi's early life was influenced by a strong inclination toward science and innovation. He pursued higher education in the UK, securing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Imperial College London. This was followed by a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University College London. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his future endeavors in the fields of venture capital and biotechnology. This combination of rigorous scientific training and a keen interest in entrepreneurship would later become the hallmark of his career, allowing him to adeptly navigate the intersection of science and business.
Career and Notable Achievements
Giovanni Mariggi's professional journey is marked by significant achievements in venture capital with a focus on healthcare and biotech:
- Early Career: Prior to founding Medicxi, Giovanni was a Principal at Index Ventures, a position he held for four years. Here, he honed his skills in venture capital, particularly in the life sciences domain.
- Founding Medicxi: In a pivotal move, Mariggi co-founded Medicxi, a firm specializing in asset-centric investments, which has since raised multiple successful funds to support biotech innovation.
- Leadership Roles: He has led Medicxi’s investment efforts in several major biotech companies, such as Aura Biosciences, Abivax, and New Amsterdam Pharma, further solidifying the firm's reputation.
- Board Memberships: Giovanni serves on the boards of numerous portfolio companies, including prominent names in the biotech field like ForeBio and Vaderis Therapeutics.
Current Work and Impact
As of 2025, Giovanni Mariggi remains an influential partner at Medicxi, where he continues to drive strategic investments and company creations within the biotech sector. Under his leadership, Medicxi's asset-centric approach has fostered the creation of transformative therapies and companies, with several achieving successful exits or acquisitions. Mariggi's influence extends beyond financial success, as he plays a crucial role in aligning science with patient-centric outcomes, thereby shaping the future landscape of therapeutic innovations.
Conclusion
Giovanni Mariggi's impact on the venture capital landscape, particularly within the realm of life sciences, is profound. As a strategic leader at Medicxi, he has played a pivotal role in fostering biotech innovation through a focused investment approach, resulting in numerous high-profile successes. His work continues to influence the development of breakthrough therapies that promise to transform patient care worldwide. Given his trajectory in this rapidly evolving field, Mariggi's contributions are poised to leave a lasting legacy, not only through the financial successes of Medicxi but also through the tangible improvements in global health outcomes facilitated by the innovations he supports.