Petri Vainio, M.D., Ph.D.

Executive Chairman

M.D.

University of Helsinki

Ph.D.

University of Helsinki

M.B.A.

Stanford University

Petri Vainio joined EW as Managing Director in 2004 and has been leading the EW growth equity investment practice since then, serving as the Firm’s Executive Chairman effective November 2024. 

Dr. Vainio has 30 years of experience as an investor in healthcare companies. He has invested in and served on the board of over 20 pharmaceutical and medical device companies. He has led several EW growth equity investments including Biotoscana (acquired by Knight Therapeutics), EUSA Pharma “I” (acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals), EUSA Pharma “II” (acquired by Recordati S.p.A.), and Healthcare Brands International (acquired by Meda Pharmaceuticals). Dr. Vainio currently serves on the Board of Directors of EW portfolio companies Grundium Oy and Laboratoires Majorelle.

Prior to joining EW, Dr. Vainio spent 12 years as a General Partner of Sierra Ventures, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. While at Sierra, Dr. Vainio served as General Partner of five successive funds and led the Firm’s healthcare investment practice.

Dr. Vainio holds Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Helsinki, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.