Harrold van Barlingen - In Memoriam

To our deep regret Harrold van Barlingen passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

Harrold fell ill in June 2023, and shortly after sharing news of his illness, it became apparent that recovery was unlikely. However, in recent months, Harrold had regained much of his energy and had resumed participating in various Thuja-related activities. We are shocked and deeply saddened by his sudden passing.

With the ambition to create a positive impact in healthcare, Harrold founded Thuja Capital Management in 2005. Initially, he managed life sciences companies from the Alpinvest portfolio, but his ultimate goal was to make targeted investments in impactful innovations in healthcare and support these companies in their development.

In 2008, the closing of the first fund (Thuja Capital Healthcare Fund I and an associated seed fund) marked a significant milestone. Investments in 10 companies were made with this fund, the biggest success being Argenx, where Harrold served on the Supervisory Board. A second fund followed in 2014 and a third in 2020, and the Thuja team also grew to ten professionals. Under his co-leadership, Thuja has invested in more than thirty companies to date.

Despite several health setbacks, Harrold remained resilient, optimistic, and fully committed to the portfolio companies and the Thuja team. His ability to see opportunities, inspire those around him, and lead with unwavering positivity made him an exceptional leader and colleague. We remember him not only as a brilliant investor but also as a kind, passionate and supportive team member. We will miss him dearly.