JSR Life Sciences LLC has launched the ‘JSR Life Sciences Corporate Venture Fund’ as part of a continued effort to identify and accelerate novel therapies and innovative technologies. JSR will leverage the new fund to invest in multiple deals within the next few years.

The fund is initially focusing on emerging life science companies with novel platforms and approaches to improving therapeutic outcomes and those with innovative technologies to support life science research, development, and manufacturing. To facilitate the fund’s operations, JSR has appointed Jason Yuanxin Zhang, Ph.D., whose experience includes life science research and investment consultation, to Head-Corporate Venture Fund.

Dr. Zhang brings to JSR extensive experience in international equity markets focused on the life sciences, having held multiple leadership roles with Prudential Equity, BMO Capital Markets, and Edison Group. He also served as senior vice president, Corporate Strategy, at Medisun Holdings, and most recently with Humanwell Healthcare Group, serving as chief operating officer and managing director, International Investment and Business Development.

“I look forward to working with JSR Life Sciences as the Company enters a major inflection point with its new corporate venture fund,” said Zhang. “I value JSR’s dedication to discovering new therapies and technologies and look forward to bringing my experience in leadership, growth, and business development to support their work.”

“JSR Life Sciences has extensive global knowledge and experience with early-stage research, discovery, and technology that improves clinical outcomes. We are uniquely positioned to understand what works and what the market needs,” said Jean-Pierre Wery, Ph.D., chief technology officer for JSR Life Sciences. “Initiating this fund and offering the ability to invest in the life sciences sector is a natural extension of our core expertise.”