A legacy defined by innovation, leadership, and humanity.

We are extremely saddened to share that our Managing Partner, Jack B. Nielsen, passed away on June 5th, 2025, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Jack will be remembered as a leader in the global life sciences community, a respected investor and a beloved husband, father, colleague, and friend.

“Jack’s legacy will resonate far beyond the companies he helped shape,” commented Frank Kung, CEO of Vivo Capital. “The whole firm joins me in extending our deepest condolences to Jack’s family, his beloved wife and their cherished son.”

Jack’s career was distinguished by his dedication to advancing science and improving human health. His strategic insight shaped the trajectory of many companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Jack joined Vivo in 2016 as a Managing Director and was quickly promoted to Managing Partner and leader of Vivo’s venture capital Innovation Fund, where he played a vital role in guiding breakthrough companies and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. His collaborative spirit and deep scientific and technical acumen were highly valued by all who worked with him. Before joining Vivo, Jack served for 15 years within the Novo A/S organization, where he held several leadership roles, culminating as a Senior Partner.

Over the years, Jack served on the boards of numerous public and private companies, including Alios Biopharma, Crinetics, Unchained Labs, Aligos Therapeutics, ALX Oncology, Harmony Biosciences, Instil Bio, IO Biotech, Reata Pharmaceuticals, Akebia Therapeutics, Merus N.V., and Apollo Endosurgery, among others. In these roles, Jack was a trusted advisor and a champion for innovation. His warmth, humor and insight helped entrepreneurs, investors, and colleagues manage through the inevitable challenges associated with startup growth and development and scientific discovery.

Outside of the boardroom, Jack was a man of energy and curiosity. A passionate hiker, scuba diver, and skier, he sought adventure and beauty in nature with the same zeal he brought to his professional life. That love of aesthetics extended to his unique sartorial style, pairing Scandinavian minimalism with floral motifs, which set a high bar in Vivo’s Palo Alto office and never failed to make colleagues smile.

Jack’s legacy is etched not only in the companies he helped build, but in the lives he touched—with his kindness, intellect, and unwavering belief in the power of science to change the world for the better. Jack’s passing is a loss to the global life sciences community and to all who were fortunate to know him.