Dr. Rafaèle Tordjman stands as a formidable figure at the intersection of medicine and finance, having transitioned from a distinguished career as a physician and research scientist to become the visionary founder and President of Jeito Capital. This independent private equity firm has rapidly carved out a leading niche in the biopharma investment landscape, particularly in Europe. Tordjman's journey is marked by a deep understanding of medical innovation, combined with a strategic acumen for identifying and nurturing groundbreaking therapies. Prepare to discover ten fascinating facets of Dr. Tordjman's influential career and the significant impact of Jeito Capital on advancing patient care worldwide.
Dr. Rafaèle Tordjman's illustrious career began not in finance, but in the demanding world of medicine and scientific research. She is a qualified physician, specializing in hematology and internal medicine, and pursued a research career at the Institut National de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) in Cochin Hospital, Paris. She earned a PhD in hematopoiesis and angiogenesis from the University Paris VII and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in immunology, even publishing in prestigious journals like Nature Immunology. This profound scientific and medical foundation provides her with a unique perspective, enabling her to critically evaluate the scientific merit and potential of biopharmaceutical innovations, a crucial advantage in the biotech investment sphere.
Driven by a vision to establish a model of continuous financing for medical innovation, Dr. Rafaèle Tordjman founded Jeito Capital in 2018, launching the independent investment company in January 2020. The firm's mission is explicitly focused on identifying and supporting pioneering entrepreneurs in medical innovation, aiming to accelerate the development and market access of breakthrough therapies for patients. The name "Jeito" itself, meaning "we'll find a way" in Brazilian Portuguese, encapsulates the firm's problem-solving and patient-centric ethos.
Jeito Capital operates with a distinctive "patient-driven" investment strategy, emphasizing the financing and acceleration of groundbreaking medical innovations that directly benefit patients. This approach is rooted in Dr. Tordjman's medical background and her understanding of unmet medical needs. The firm aims to support companies from clinical development through market access, providing not only significant capital but also multidisciplinary expertise across the entire drug value chain. This integrated support system helps portfolio companies navigate complex development stages and commercialization pathways effectively.
Jeito Capital has demonstrated remarkable fundraising prowess. Its first fund, Jeito I, successfully closed in September 2021 at €534 million ($630 million), notably exceeding its initial target. Building on this momentum, the firm recently closed its second fund, Jeito II, in April 2026, surpassing its target at over €1 billion ($1.2 billion). This achievement positions Jeito II as the largest raise ever by a fully independent European fund dedicated to biopharma, bringing Jeito's total assets under management to €1.6 billion and tripling its size within five years.
While Jeito Capital has a global reach, it specifically focuses on investing in high-potential, clinical-stage biopharma companies predominantly based in Europe. This strategic focus aims to address the funding gap in the European biotech ecosystem, which, despite strong scientific foundations, has historically struggled with scaling and retaining innovation. By channeling significant capital and expertise, Jeito seeks to nurture European biopharma leaders, enabling them to drive major therapeutic innovation and achieve global commercial success.
Jeito Capital has quickly established a strong track record of successful exits, validating its investment strategy. Notably, three of its portfolio companies have been acquired by major pharmaceutical players within relatively short holding periods. Neogene, a cancer drugmaker, was acquired by AstraZeneca in 2023 for up to $320 million. EyeBio, an eye drug developer, was purchased by Merck & Co. for up to $3 billion in 2024, and Hi-Bio, an immunology company, was acquired by Biogen for up to $1.8 billion in the same year. These significant acquisitions highlight Jeito's ability to identify and support companies developing highly valuable, breakthrough therapies.
Jeito Capital's investment portfolio spans a diverse range of therapeutic areas, reflecting its commitment to addressing significant unmet medical needs. The firm has actively deployed capital into companies developing treatments for conditions such as obesity, oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, ophthalmology, cardiometabolic diseases, reproductive medicine, neurology, and severe neuromuscular disorders. This broad approach ensures that Jeito's investments contribute to advancements across various critical health challenges, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes in numerous disease indications.
A key differentiator of Jeito Capital's investment model is its emphasis on providing continuous financing and support to its portfolio companies. This means Jeito not only provides initial capital but remains a strategic partner, offering substantial follow-on investments (up to €150 million per company with Jeito II) as companies progress through clinical development and towards market access. This sustained financial and strategic backing helps entrepreneurs accelerate their journey, ensuring promising innovations are not derailed by funding gaps at critical stages, and ultimately speeding up the availability of new treatments to patients.
Beyond her investment activities, Dr. Rafaèle Tordjman is a passionate advocate for women's entrepreneurship and leadership in the healthcare sector. In 2010, she founded the association W.I.T.H. (Women Innovating Together in Healthcare), an international network dedicated to empowering and connecting talented women across the entire medical innovation value chain. This initiative underscores her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, aiming to break down barriers and create more opportunities for women to contribute their expertise and drive innovation within the life sciences industry.
Dr. Rafaèle Tordjman's exceptional contributions have garnered significant recognition. In September 2020, she was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, France's highest distinction, for her outstanding achievements. In 2024, she received L'Agefi's prestigious 'AM Leader' Award, acknowledging her leadership in the asset management industry. Furthermore, in July 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed her as a "Special Envoy for Health Innovation" to promote the French biotech ecosystem internationally, highlighting her influence and strategic importance in national and global health innovation.
Dr. Rafaèle Tordjman's trajectory from a dedicated medical professional and researcher to a leading force in biopharma venture capital exemplifies a powerful blend of scientific insight and entrepreneurial vision. Through Jeito Capital, she has not only mobilized substantial financial resources for European biopharma but has also championed a patient-centric, continuous investment model that accelerates the development of critical therapies. Her commitment extends beyond capital, fostering a more collaborative ecosystem and empowering women in healthcare. Dr. Tordjman's ongoing efforts solidify her position as a pivotal figure shaping the future of medical innovation, ensuring that groundbreaking science reaches the patients who need it most.
