Frances Chovanec is a Managing Director at LYFE Capital. Based in New York, she focuses on buyout strategies for new investments, bolt-on acquisitions and exit opportunities for select portfolio companies, as well as capital markets coverage. With her 20+ years of experience in Finance across geographies, she brings transactional, investing, and corporate and board experience along with her unique abilities to bridge the east and the west across capital markets and business cultures.

Before joining LYFE Capital, Frances served as CFO and Executive Director for Kangji Medical, a leading medical device player in China’s minimally invasive surgery market and a LYFE Fund I portfolio company. She was responsible for taking the company public, setting up important reporting, financial management and ESG functions, as well as being deeply involved in strategic investments. Prior to that, Frances spent most of her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs focusing on financing and M&A transactions in the consumer and healthcare sectors both in Asia and the U.S. Her other experiences also included advising clients through her own firm on strategic partnership, licensing and capital raising projects, and working for Fosun Group in New York as a Managing Director where she was focused on private equity investment in the U.S. and portfolio management. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from University of Bridgeport.

Frances lives in New York City with her family. In her spare time, in addition to supporting her children in their extracurricular activities such as competitive chess, she enjoys swimming, jogging and doing word puzzles.

Jack Chen is a Partner at LYFE Capital. With a forward-thinking and critical mindset, Jack excels in cultivating the next generation of leaders and creating high-performing investments at LYFE.

With 18 years of experience in healthcare investment and strategic consulting, Jack is dedicated to talent development, sharing his investment insights, and instilling LYFE's culture to foster a cohesive cross-border team. By closely monitoring global trends in healthcare innovation and supply chain dynamics, he is committed to identifying new investment opportunities. Additionally, Jack works on existing portfolio management and ensures quality control for new investments.

Before joining LYFE, Jack served as a Principal at VIVO Capital. He also worked as a Senior Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting and was the Investment Director at Aland Investment Holdings. Jack earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and initially trained in clinical medicine at Fudan University in Shanghai.

In his leisure time, Jack enjoys playing tennis and skiing. He lives in Singapore with his family and frequently travels across Asia to explore investment opportunities and facilitate team integration.

William Chen is a Partner at LYFE Capital, with sharp investment acumen and deep expertise in healthcare markets across Asia. He thrives on identifying high-growth opportunities and working closely with management teams to drive long-term value creation. His ability to navigate complex transactions and align stakeholders has made him a key force in expanding LYFE’s presence in China, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

William was previously seconded to IMEIK Technology (SZ.300896) from LYFE, where he led business development, strategic investments, and capital markets initiatives. During his tenure, he was instrumental in scaling IMEIK’s revenue 10x and net profit 20x, securing critical product in-licenses, forming cross-border joint ventures, and expanding digital marketing channels.

Before LYFE, he was a Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting, advising multinational healthcare companies and private equity firms on market entry, M&A, and growth strategies.

William holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

William is a passionate traveler, skier, and longevity enthusiast, constantly exploring new ideas and challenges both professionally and personally. He’s base in Singapore and frequently travel to South Korea.

Yao Li Ho is a Managing Director at LYFE Capital, where he plays a notable role in supporting U.S. operations and investments. As a relationship architect in global healthcare investments, he excels at connecting industry leaders, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring seamless cross-border collaboration. His ability to integrate global resources has been instrumental in expanding LYFE’s presence in the U.S. and Asia.

As a seasoned professional in healthcare, Yao has spent his career bridging cultural and business divides—first between two of the largest healthcare markets, where he was among the early pioneers of biotech partnerships, and now in Japan, where he is driving the next wave of cross-border collaboration. One of his proudest achievements was a business development deal with James Zhao that now helps at least 20 million people annually detect the precursor to cancer—a family-altering impact that would not have been possible without their efforts.

Before joining LYFE Capital, Yao was the International Business Development Lead at Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group, where he facilitated global partnerships, licensing, and M&A transactions. His career also includes consulting at ChinaBio, co-founding multiple startups, and R&D in biodefense and diagnostics.

Yao holds an MBA from the Tsinghua University / MIT Sloan Program and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine.

An early adopter and explorer of new technologies, Yao is passionate about emerging innovations and their impact on human lives—whether through diagnostics, therapeutics, or even entertainment. He also dedicates time to mentoring young professionals, offering guidance as they advance in their careers.

Splitting his time between California and Tokyo, Yao values having an anchor—whether family, community, or personal passion—as essential to long-term success. Known for his friendly, approachable nature and deep industry knowledge, he continues to support investments and global partnerships that bring transformative healthcare solutions to the world.

Alvin Koh is Investment Principal and Senior Director of APAC Business Development at LYFE Capital.  Alvin combines leadership, business and operational experience to identify great investment opportunities and create value within LYFE’s portfolio companies.  He is passionate about developing talents and turning plans into results.

Prior to joining LYFE, Alvin headed Illumina’s APJ business development function from 2015 to 2022 and Life-Cycle Management function from 2008 to 2014.  In his 14 years in Illumina, Alvin led the startup of new manufacturing operation, drove access to new commercial markets and negotiated key partnerships for Illumina in roles that span engineering, operations, strategy and business development.

Alvin received his Master of Business Administration (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Master of Science (Engineering) from the National University of Singapore and Bachelor of Engineering (Honors)/Bachelor of Science from Monash University.  He is a University of Chicago Wallman Scholar as well as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society.

In his free time, Alvin spends his time coaching his two teenage children in their studies and pursues his sporting interests such as soccer and badminton.  He is an ardent fan of Liverpool Football Club and believes that ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is the greatest sports anthem ever.

Fong Ming Koh is a Principal at LYFE Capital based in Singapore, where he focuses on biopharma opportunities across Asia that range from pre-clinical and clinical stage therapeutic assets, to CRO and CDMO buyout opportunities. Fong’s past deals at LYFE include ChemLex, Kali Therapeutics and Bora Pharmaceuticals.

Prior to joining LYFE, Fong was Head of Life Sciences at Heritas Capital, a Singapore-based private equity and venture capital investment firm that invests in fast-growing companies and leading funds in healthcare and education sectors across Southeast Asia and India. Heritas’ investments include clinical stage biotechs, digital health platforms, foodtech solutions, and healthcare services.

A developmental biologist by training, Fong has extensive research experience spanning pluripotent stem cells, epigenetics and cancer biology in the U.S. and Singapore. Fong received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Francisco, and a B.Sc. in Molecular Biology from the University of California, San Diego. Fong is a recipient of the National Science Scholarship from Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore.

Fong is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs in the nascent Singapore startup ecosystem. He volunteers at Biotech Connection Singapore, a local non-profit that aims to promote life science entrepreneurship in Singapore. The organization is currently the largest local life science startup community and continues to grow organically through regular educational and networking events and consulting projects catered to startup needs.

Peter Lee is a Managing Director at LYFE Capital. Driven by his motivation for working with great teams to solve complex problems, Peter thrives on opportunities to bring his unique combination of pragmatism and creativity to develop thematic strategies and investment theses for LYFE.

Peter brings over 10 years of healthcare transaction and investment experience to the LYFE team. Prior to joining LYFE Capital, he was a partner at Avant Bio, an emerging private equity fund focused on life science tools and technologies. Prior to Avant Bio, Peter was a senior analyst at Casdin Capital, a life sciences crossover fund where he invested in various sectors and sat on the board of directors of eight portfolio companies. Before Casdin Capital, Peter started his career in finance in New York in the healthcare investment banking groups of Canaccord Genuity and RBC.

Peter received a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago and also completed the post-baccalaureate premedical program at Columbia University.

Peter grew up in North Carolina and Chicago with a range of interests spanning sports like golf and basketball to music, where as a cellist he was first chair all-state in high school. His breadth of experiences and curiosities from an early age taught him the value of sampling widely, a mindset he applies regularly in his approach to investing.

Peter currently lives in New Jersey with his family, where his weekends are filled with kids’ activities and other exciting adventures with his wife and two kids.

Vivien serves as the Director of Business Development at LYFE Capital, leveraging her extensive background in entrepreneurship, financial advisory, and corporate strategy to drive value creation for LYFE’s portfolio companies. Drawing on her first-hand experience as a founder and executive, Vivien possesses an acute understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by CEOs. She collaborates closely with leadership teams to identify operational gaps, streamline processes, and establish robust post-deal management frameworks. Her ultimate goal is to facilitate successful exits and maximize returns for both investors and entrepreneurs.

Before joining LYFE, Vivien founded and led a healthcare company dedicated to supporting cancer patients through second opinions and overseas medical treatment options. Prior to her entrepreneurial venture, she was a partner and one of the founding team members of a China-focused venture capital firm specializing in early-stage opportunities in innovative and disruptive healthcare technologies. Vivien earned her MBA from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she gained a strong foundation in global business principles and strategic thinking.

Vivien lived and worked in Hong Kong for seven years before relocating to Shanghai, where she now resides with her family. As a mother of three, she has learned to excel under additional responsibilities, consistently seeking new challenges and growth opportunities. Her personal interests include traveling, playing tennis, and exploring the world of wine—particularly from the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions, which has led her to forge countless friendships around a shared passion. Through her blend of professional expertise and adventurous spirit, Vivien continues to champion innovation, efficiency, and collaboration at every stage of the investment lifecycle.

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David Liu is the Director of Investor Relations at LYFE Capital. Bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to LYFE Capital, David combines agility with systematic thinking to help LYFE refine investment strategies in a dynamic market.

David leads on the firm’s strategy, fund raising, and investor relations. He also leads the firm’s internal portfolio review process at LYFE Capital.

Prior to joining LYFE, David grew a medical aesthetic clinic chain from 5 members to 160 medical professionals. He also started a media company focusing on cross-cultural projects in Asia. He holds an MBA from Columbia University Business School and a bachelor’s degree of Telecommunications with Management from London University.

A fierce adventurer, David is a freeride snowboarder and a certified instructor with the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors. When he’s not charging through backcountry slopes, he brings the same bold, strategic mindset to business and investments. He currently lives in Singapore.

Laura Lu is the Chief Legal Officer at LYFE Capital, bringing over 30 years of distinguished legal expertise to the firm. With a career spanning private practice at top-tier international law firms and in-house counsel roles at multinational corporations, Laura has cultivated a deep understanding of legal matters related to fund formation, operations, investment transactions, and post-investment management. Her extensive international experience across the U.S., Europe, and China, coupled with her specialized knowledge of the healthcare sector, positions her as a trusted advisor in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S., Singapore, and China. In addition to her legal responsibilities, Laura serves as LYFE Capital’s ESG coordinator, driving the firm’s commitment to sustainable and responsible investing.

Prior to joining LYFE Capital, Laura served as Legal Director at MSD China Ltd., where she provided legal guidance in one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. She also held the role of Senior Legal Counsel at Siemens Ltd. China, where she oversaw legal operations of various business sectors and played a key role in the company’s growth in the region.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Laura is a seasoned yogi and an avid hiker with a profound appreciation for nature. Her dedication to mindfulness and the outdoors mirrors her meticulous and balanced approach to her work. Laura resides in New Jersey, where she continues to blend her passion for the natural world with her stewardship at LYFE Capital.

Chloe Mo serves as a Managing Director at LYFE Capital. With over 13 years of experience in investment banking and private equity in Asia Pacific, Chloe is a masterful negotiator, navigating complex business landscapes with confidence and poise, empowered by LYFE’s in-depth industry knowhow, making her a formidable force in LYFE’s private equity initiatives.

Chloe focuses on leveraged buyout and significant minority opportunities in Asia Pacific region. Under LYFE’s sector & country lead model, Chloe will play different roles in deal sourcing, due diligence, investment underwriting, deal structuring across the region. Chloe is based in Singapore.

Prior to joining LYFE, Chloe was Executive Director in Hillhouse Investment and held progressively senior positions in leveraged finance and special situations in UBS, Deutsche Bank and HSBC.

Chloe holds a Master of Finance from the University of Hong Kong, an MSc in Management and Strategy from London School of Economics and Political Science, and a BSc in Biotechnology from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Outside of her professional endeavours, Chloe is an avid pianist since childhood. Her love for playing the piano provides her with a creative outlet and approach problem solving with a fresh perspective. The discipline and dedication to navigate through sophisticated pieces mirrors her meticulous approach in complex transaction execution.

A native Cantonese, Chloe lives in Hong Kong with her family. Despite her busy schedule, Chloe manages her calendar with precision and finds solace in the simple joy of outdoor activities such as skiing, skating, kayaking with her two daughters.

Yoshitaka Nagai is the Principal at LYFE Capital. As an ex-investment banker with more than 10 years of experience in sourcing and executing deals, Yoshitaka brings in his domain knowledge and connection with healthcare space in Japan.

Yoshitaka is responsible for sourcing and executing LYFE’s investment to the healthcare companies such as in pharma, med-tech and pharma services spaces in Japan.

Prior to joining LYFE, Yoshitaka was with Nomura Securities’ healthcare investment banking for 12 years, started his career in Tokyo for executing domestic and cross-border M&As, including but not limited to, merger of CROs, leveraged buyout of a CDMO by a global PE, and JPY1trn joint investment by two MNCs in Japan and SEA to another multinational conglomerate. He thereafter continued to be involved in healthcare dealmaking in Osaka and New York, broadened his experience in global IPOs, hybrid financing and strategic partnerships.

He holds a bachelor’s degree of Economics from the University of Tokyo, and a master’s degree of Economics from Boston University.

Adventuring to unknown also has been his lifetime hobby. Yoshitaka enjoys outdoor activities, of which he’s especially an enthusiast of half-marathon and snowboarding. He grew up as a kendo (Japanese sword arts) and table tennis player at middle and high schools. As he and LYFE continue to pioneer new ground in Japan, Yoshitaka brings the same drive for discovery and engagement that has guided him throughout his life, ensuring that each step forward is both purposeful and inspired by genuine passion.

Sameer Rohatgi has been a Partner at LYFE Capital since 2018 as he joined to build and evolve the US based team.  He is a proven integrator as he’s worked across multiple geographies, engendering credibility and transparency with customers and collaborators.  He’s amassed over 25 years of global operating experience across Life Science tools, diagnostics, and translational and clinical research.

Prior to LYFE, Sameer headed international corporate and business development at Illumina where he and his team were responsible for market assessments, M&A, IVD agreements, and direct and indirect investing. He directly oversaw commercialization negotiations in Asia Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas. Sameer joined Illumina through the acquisition of Helixis, where he was a Founding Executive Member. Previously, he worked at Agilent and Incyte. Sameer received his BSE in biomedical engineering from Duke University; a MS in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University; and an MBA from Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Management in Los Angeles.

Sameer brings a unique perspective to the firm as 2.5 years ago, his wife was diagnosed with late stage colorectal cancer with liver metastasis.  So, he has direct understanding of the various aspects of healthcare, and for him, the mission of LYFE Capital is personal.

Sameer considers himself a native Californian, having lived in the Golden State since 1999, settling in San Diego from San Francisco in 2007.  He’s learned patience through golf and both his children play competitively, following in the footsteps of local greats such as Xander Schauffele, Phil Mickelson, Charley Hoffman, and Paige Spiranac.  When he’s not caddying, he can be found at any community theater in San Diego, watching his daughter sing and perform.

Alan Wang is an Investment Principal at LYFE Capital. Over the past nine years at LYFE, he has primarily focused on MedTech investments, playing a key role in driving and overseeing the majority of medtech deals across Asia and the U.S. His portfolio includes landmark transactions such as Kangji, EDGE, Noah, and Fong’s Engineering.

As a sector leader in medtech, Alan relocated to LYFE’s Singapore office, aiming to leverage his industry expertise and extensive network to contribute further to the firm's global strategy.

Alan brings extensive experience in corporate strategy and healthcare consulting, equipping him with deep industry knowledge and a highly analytical, detail-oriented mindset. Before joining LYFE, he worked at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he was responsible for corporate strategy and business intelligence in the Shanghai office. He also spent two years as a healthcare consultant, advising multinational corporations.

Beyond his professional career, Alan has a strong passion for music and sports. He has achieved a Grade 10 certification in piano and enjoys various athletic activities. This unique combination enhances his ability to approach professional investment work with analytical precision, discipline, and a strong sense of teamwork.

Roy Xu is the Chief Financial Officer at LYFE Capital. Bringing over 20 years of financial expertise and knowledge, Roy helps build up the LYFE finance system.

Roy works closely with James on the firm’s strategy, fund raising, budgeting and portfolio management. He also manages all financial operations of LYFE Capital.

Prior to joining LYFE, Roy was a Vice President at GP Capital where he focused on managing and execution of investment projects and led various due-diligence, compliance and risk-management projects. Additionally, Roy has spent extensive time at Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Shenyin & Wanguo Investment Co. Although Roy started his career in museum management, his interest in finance was unequivocal which led him to become one of the top three performers at PwC as an Assurance Manager. Roy received his Bachelor’s degree in Museology from Fudan University and is a CPA charterholder..

Roy likes traveling because he believes it can allow him to experience different cultures and open new horizon for him which can bring him more diversity and international perspective. He currently lives in Shanghai and California.

Derek Yuan is a Partner at LYFE Capital. With over 15 years of experience spanning life sciences research and investment, Derek brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and financial acumen to every endeavor.

Derek works closely with the US and Asian teams on innovative therapeutic investments and post-deal management. He has led multiple investments in various stages and driven the company to IPO or acquisition.

Prior to joining LYFE, Derek worked as an Equity Research Associate covering smid and large-cap biotech companies at Credit Suisse. He worked at LEK as a life sciences consultant before Credit Suisse. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Rockefeller University and a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology from Tsinghua University.  

Outside of his professional life, Derek enjoys challenging himself with a variety of sports and spending time with his family on hiking trails or ski trips. He currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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James Zhao is the Founder and Partner at LYFE Capital. Driven by a deep passion for bringing people together, he thrives on creating environments where diverse talents and perspectives merge into cohesive, high-performing teams. His ability to see connections where others see barriers is a hallmark of his leadership style.

Bringing over 20 years of healthcare investment expertise across the U.S. and Asia, James has led LYFE Capital to evolve from a regional firm to a transpacific healthcare investment platform with USD 2 billion in assets under management. LYFE operates through 5 global offices, including its US headquarters in Menlo Park, California, its Asia headquarters in Singapore, as well as locations in Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai.

Prior to founding LYFE, he built up the Asia practice for Vivo Capital as a Managing Partner. He also worked as a Consultant with the Monitor Group. He holds an MBA from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Science in Molecular Biology from Vrije Universiteit Brussels.

James grew up as a volleyball setter, a pivotal role responsible for orchestrating the team’s offense by delivering precise sets to attackers to secure points. Similarly, as the Founder and Managing Partner of LYFE Capital, he serves as the “setter” of the firm, orchestrating investments to consistently deliver exceptional returns for investors.

James lives in New Jersey with his family. Despite his busy schedule as a global investor, he makes it a priority to fly back whenever possible to cheer on his daughter at swimming competitions and his son at football games.