Daphne Zohar – Top 10 Women in Biotech

Name: Daphne Zohar
Current Company: PureTech Ventures
Title: Founder, Managing Partner

Profile: Daphne Zohar is the founder and managing partner of Boston-based venture capital firm PureTech Ventures. A serial entrepreneur, she was the founding CEO at four biotech companies: Follica, Libra Biosciences, Karuna Pharmaceuticals and Satori Pharmaceuticals. Zohar also sits on the Boards of Directors of PureTech Ventures and Enlight Biosciences.

What do you think has contributed to your success in this industry?

There were some very smart and visionary people that were willing to give me their time when I was just starting out. I also have some incredibly innovative and talented colleagues working with me at PureTech. 

What advice would you give to women just starting out in biotech?

One thing I've learned is that people who are perpetually negative have developed that strategy as a defense mechanism (if you're always negative you look smart in an industry where odds are stacked against you). I've learned to focus on those people who see possibilities and have open minds and creativity rather than expending too much energy on those whose imagination is limited to potential problems. My advice is to be thoughtful about which criticism to listen to and which to discard.