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Initial public offering and financing of biotechnology start-ups: Evidence from Japan

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  • Honjo, Yuji
  • Nagaoka, Sadao

Abstract

This study explores the initial public offering (IPO) and financing of biotechnology start-ups in Japan. Using a unique data set, we find that biotechnology start-ups initially backed by venture capital (VC) firms and those originating from universities are more likely to go public within a shorter period. Moreover, we find that neither staged financing nor syndication by VC firms is associated with higher IPO value relative to investment. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the timing of IPOs does not depend on equity market conditions in the biotechnology industry, whereas IPO value tends to depend on equity market conditions. We discuss the factors that explain these findings, which contradict findings in previous studies of VC investments.

Suggested Citation

  • Honjo, Yuji & Nagaoka, Sadao, 2018. "Initial public offering and financing of biotechnology start-ups: Evidence from Japan," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 180-193.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:47:y:2018:i:1:p:180-193
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2017.10.009
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    Cited by:

    1. Honjo, Yuji, 2021. "The impact of founders’ human capital on initial capital structure: Evidence from Japan," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    2. Davide Hahn & Tommaso Minola & Silvio Vismara & Daniel Agyare, 2024. "Do exploration and exploitation in university research drive early-stage equity financing of university spin-offs?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(2), pages 627-653, August.
    3. Yuji Honjo, 2021. "Public or perish? From founding to initial public offering," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1573-1610, August.
    4. Yuji Honjo & Koki Kurihara, 2023. "Graduation of initial public offering firms from junior stock markets: evidence from the Tokyo Stock Exchange," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(2), pages 813-841, February.
    5. Honjo, Yuji & Nakamura, Hiroki, 2020. "The link between entrepreneurship and informal investment: An international comparison," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    6. Fu, Xiaoqing Maggie & Harrison, Richard T. & Li, Dongfu Franco, 2022. "Venture capital investment in university spin-offs: Evidence from an emerging economy," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    7. Alex Coad & Masatoshi Kato, 2021. "Growth paths and routes to exit: 'shadow of death' effects for new firms in Japan," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 1145-1173, October.
    8. HONJO Yuji & KURIHARA Koki, 2021. "Graduation of Initial Public Offering Firms from Junior Stock Markets: Evidence from the Tokyo Stock Exchange," Discussion papers 21049, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    9. Yuji Honjo & Masatoshi Kato, 2019. "Do initial financial conditions determine the exit routes of start-up firms?," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 1119-1147, July.
    10. Ciro D. Esposito & Balazs Szatmari & Jonathan M. C. Sitruk & Nachoem M. Wijnberg, 2024. "Getting off to a good start: emerging academic fields and early-stage equity financing," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(4), pages 1591-1613, April.
    11. Nobuya Fukugawa, 2022. "Effects of the quality of science on the initial public offering of university spinoffs: evidence from Japan," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(8), pages 4439-4455, August.
    12. Masatoshi Kato & Koichiro Onishi & Yuji Honjo, 2022. "Does patenting always help new firm survival? Understanding heterogeneity among exit routes," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 449-475, August.
    13. HONJO Yuji & NAKAMURA Hiroki, 2019. "The Link between Entrepreneurial Activities and Angel Investment: An international comparison," Discussion papers 19017, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    14. KURIHARA Koki & HONJO Yuji, 2022. "Determinants of Campaign Success: Empirical evidence from equity crowdfunding in Japan," Discussion papers 22057, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Biotechnology start-up; Initial public offering; Market value; Staged financing; Syndication; Venture capital;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • L65 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics

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