Helix Ventures

Helix Ventures is a healthcare-focused venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California. Founded in 2008 by Evgeny Zaytsev and Philip Sawyer, it specializes in investments in innovative therapeutic product opportunities that address significant patient needs and create value for investors. The firm is known for its hands-on approach with management teams and typically invests in early-stage drug and medical device companies but remains open to exceptional later-stage deals. Its investment focus excludes diagnostics, healthcare services, or IT firms. Portfolio highlights include iScience Interventional (ophthalmology), Invuity (medical devices), and Coherus Biosciences (biosimilars). The fund has participated alongside major VCs like Kleiner Perkins and Valence Life Sciences.