Evolution Venture Partners Research
Investment Banking Boutique Specializing in Healthcare Innovation
Evolution Venture Partners (EVP) is a New York-based healthcare investment banking boutique founded by Philip Taub and John Andreadis. With over 40 years of combined investment banking and strategic advisory experience, EVP has established itself as a specialized advisor to biotech, pharmaceutical, and healthcare technology companies seeking capital, partnerships, and strategic exits.
Advisory Approach and Thesis
EVP operates with a clear thesis: healthcare companies at critical inflection points—whether raising capital, pursuing M&A, licensing assets, or managing strategic pivots—require advisors who understand both the scientific and commercial nuances of their industries. The firm believes that the best outcomes come from leveraging deep industry networks combined with experiential judgment from advisors who have successfully built, scaled, and sold healthcare companies.
Their sweet spot is venture-backed biotech and healthcare companies in the discovery, development, and commercialization phases, with particular strength advising companies on Series B through strategic exit transactions. They are not a fit for companies below $5M seed stage or those seeking primarily financial advisory on already-public companies.
Sector Focus and Therapeutic Expertise
EVP's transaction history demonstrates deep expertise across healthcare verticals:
Oncology & Immunology: The firm has advised multiple oncology-focused biotechs, including Smart Immune (cell therapy platform acquired by MeiraGTx in 2025 for ProTcell technology), Alethia Biopharmaceuticals (cancer immunotherapy, acquired by NantBio in 2023), and Gotham Therapeutics (RNA-targeted oncology, acquired by 858 Therapeutics in 2020).
Virology & Vaccines: Extensive experience with viral vector and vaccine platforms, notably VBI Vaccines (Nasdaq: VBIV), which completed a Paulson Capital merger in 2014 after raising multiple rounds totaling $24M+ in financing that EVP advised on.
Gastrointestinal & Surgical Therapeutics: Advised Leading BioSciences through its transformation—starting with early-stage bridge financing in 2020-2021, through a $20M Series A in April 2021, and ultimately a merger with Seneca Biopharma that resulted in Palisade Bio (Nasdaq: PALI) in April 2021. Palisade's lead asset, LB1148, targets post-operative GI dysfunction.
Immunology & Cell Therapy: Advised on the merger of GRI Bio with Vallon Pharmaceuticals (April 2023), combining GRI's NKT cell regulatory platform with Vallon's clinical-stage pipeline. EVP advised on GRI's bridge financings ($5M bridge in December 2022, $16M placement in April 2023) leading to the merger.
Molecular Diagnostics & AI-Enabled Platforms: Recently advised KisoJi Biotechnology on a $41M Series A financing in October 2024. KisoJi is developing AI-driven antibody discovery platforms and first-in-human TROP2-targeting naked antibody (KJ-103) for solid tumors in partnership with Cancer Research UK.
Women's Health: Advised on Viveve's reverse merger with PLC Systems (2014), a non-invasive women's health technology platform.
Early-Stage Discovery Platforms: Advised Complexa on Series B ($13M) and bridge financing (2013-2014) for precision fermentation technology.
Deal Track Record and Network Strength
Over 12+ years, EVP has been involved in 20+ significant transactions and financings, totaling over $300M+ in capital raised or transaction value. This includes both company-building (multiple bridge and series rounds) and strategic exits.
Strategic Buyer Relationships: EVP's transaction history shows strong relationships with:
- Strategic acquirers: MeiraGTx (public), NantBio, 858 Therapeutics, Paulson Capital
- Leading academic institutions: Cancer Research UK partnership (KisoJi)
- Large pharma: Sanofi (investor in MeiraGTx partners)
Capital Sources Accessed: EVP has successfully raised capital from tier-1 healthcare VC firms (Lumira Ventures, adMare BioInnovations), Canadian venture investors (Investissement Québec, Fonds de solidarité FTQ), and established PE firms.
Process and Fee Structure
EVP runs comprehensive advisory processes. For capital raises, they conduct targeted outreach to relevant investor categories (VC, PE, corporate strategics, family offices) and manage deal structure, due diligence, and closing. For M&A, they work with management and boards to identify strategic buyers, negotiate terms, and navigate integration planning.
The firm positions itself as a collaborative partner rather than a transaction factory. Engagement lengths vary: early-stage bridge financings may close in 3-4 months, while strategic M&A processes typically run 6-12 months depending on buyer complexity and regulatory considerations.
Based on their transaction patterns and engagement with corporate strategics, EVP uses a combination of engagement fees and transaction-based success fees typical of healthcare investment bankers. Fee structure details are not published, but their primary managing partners (Taub and Andreadis) are registered representatives of American Global Wealth Management, Inc. (FINRA, SIPC, MSRB member).
Team and Expertise
Managing Partners:
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Philip Taub (Founder, Managing Partner): 25+ years of investment banking and merchant banking. Previously founded Foundation Ventures (life sciences IB) and BlueStone Capital Partners (600+ employee global investment bank with offices across North America, Europe, and Asia). Has participated in 150+ public and private offerings and over $1B in financings. Also Founder and Chair of Reset Pharmaceuticals. Northwestern University graduate.
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John Andreadis (Founder, Managing Partner): 25+ years of investment banking and asset management. Formerly Founder/Managing Partner of HealthPro BioVentures (healthcare M&A and capital formation). Deep expertise structuring 100+ biotech and pharma transactions totaling $1B+. Previously at Lehman Brothers as Financial Consultant (1988). Expert in equity markets, growth company financing, and turnaround strategy.
Advisory Board: EVP maintains relationships with 9+ strategic advisors including:
- Jorge Leon, Ph.D. (Molecular Diagnostics) — ex-VP of Applied Genomics at Quest Diagnostics, founded Leomics Associates
- Adam Gazzaley, M.D., Ph.D. (Neuroscience) — UC San Francisco Professor, Founder of Neuroscape, Co-founder of Akili Interactive, 160+ scientific publications
- Jan-Anders Karlsson, Ph.D. (Pharma) — Former CEO of Verona Pharma, EVP Global Research at Bayer Pharma (1996-2006)
- Additional advisors with expertise in rheumatology, radiation oncology, women's health, turnaround management, and digital media
Process and Engagement Model
EVP's approach emphasizes creative solutions tailored to each company's stage and challenge. For capital raises, they leverage their network of institutional investors and help structure terms favorable to founders. For M&A, they work with boards to define buyer personas, conduct targeted outreach, and manage competitive processes.
Their strength lies in their advisor network—a collection of experienced healthcare operators, scientists, and executives who can provide strategic guidance beyond pure financial advice. This is particularly valuable for early-stage biotech where scientific validation and regulatory pathway clarity often matter more than valuation metrics.
Competitive Positioning
Differentiation: EVP's competitive strengths include:
- Deep scientific credibility — Advisory board includes leading academic scientists, pharma executives, and operators
- Proven track record with venture-backed healthcare — 20+ transactions across oncology, vaccines, cell therapy, diagnostics
- Both capital raising AND M&A capability — Unlike some boutiques focused purely on one service
- Founder operators — Taub and Andreadis have built and scaled companies, not just advised
- Network breadth — Access to established VC, PE, corporate strategics, and academic partners
Not a Fit If: Companies seeking primarily financial restructuring without strategic reinvention, pharma companies focused on patent extension, or organizations requiring large-scale diligence infrastructure (big bulge bracket firms like Goldman, Morgan Stanley).
Geographic Presence and Investor Network
EVP is based in New York with relationships spanning North America. Their transaction history includes both domestic (US, Canada) and some international activity (KisoJi is Montreal-based, has UK partnership with Cancer Research UK).
Key institutional relationships: Lumira Ventures, adMare BioInnovations, Investissement Québec, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Altium Capital, and strategic relationships with companies like MeiraGTx and NantBio.
Notable Recent Transactions (2020-2025)
- KisoJi Biotechnology ($41M Series A, Oct 2024) — AI-driven antibody discovery with cancer focus
- Smart Immune (Acquired by MeiraGTx, Jul 2025) — Cell therapy platform for gene therapy
- Alethia Biopharmaceuticals (Acquired by NantBio, Nov 2023) — Cancer immunotherapy
- GRI Bio + Vallon Pharmaceuticals (Merger, Apr 2023) — NKT cell regulatory platform
- Palisade Bio / Leading BioSciences (Nasdaq IPO, Apr 2021) — GI disorder therapeutics
- Gotham Therapeutics (Acquired by 858 Therapeutics, Jun 2020) — RNA-targeted oncology
Market Position Summary
Evolution Venture Partners has carved out a strong niche as a specialized healthcare investment banking boutique. They are known for:
- Deep sector expertise in biotech and healthcare
- Successful track record advising venture-backed companies through multiple financing rounds and strategic exits
- Strong advisor network providing scientific and strategic credibility
- Hands-on, collaborative engagement model
- Both capital raising and M&A advisory capabilities
The firm is well-positioned to support healthcare companies seeking advisors who combine financial expertise with industry credibility and operator judgment.