Robert Kamen, Ph.D., Joins Third Rock Ventures as Entrepreneur-in-Residence
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Third Rock Ventures, LLC, a venture capital firm focused on building life sciences companies, today announced that Robert Kamen, Ph.D., has joined Third Rock as an entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR). As an EIR, Dr. Kamen will participate in the ideation and development of potential new companies.
"I find Third Rock's investment model unique and am very impressed by its team-focused approach to launching companies built on transformative science"
"With more than 30 years of experience and success in launching and running small biotech and large pharmaceutical companies, Bob brings significant breadth and depth to the Third Rock team," said Mark Levin, partner of Third Rock Ventures. "His expertise in biologics is a tremendous asset, especially given our involvement in current portfolio companies Eleven Biotherapeutics, Ablexis and CytomX Therapeutics and our focus on this area moving forward."
Dr. Kamen is currently a consultant to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Previously serving as an executive-in-residence at Oxford Bioscience Partners, Dr. Kamen's career began at Genetics Institute, Inc., where he played a key role in building the company and was responsible for discovery and pre-clinical research activities and establishing the company's clinical development department. Most recently, he served as president of Abbott Bioresearch Center, where he oversaw the discovery and production of Humira®, the first fully human antibody to achieve marketing approval in the U.S. and Europe, and was a member of the Abbott Pharmaceuticals Executive Management Committee. He also was the president of BASF Bioresearch Corp. until it was acquired by Abbott Laboratories in 2001. Dr. Kamen is a co-founder of BioAssets Development Corporation, a biotherapeutics company focusing on spinal diseases - just last month, Cephalon exercised its option to acquire the company. Dr. Kamen serves as a director of Anchor Therapeutics, Harbour Antibodies, Lycera Corp. and Opsonic Therapeutics and is a member of the GlaxoSmithKline Biopharm Investment Board. Dr. Kamen received his undergraduate degree in biophysics from Amherst College (summa cum laude) and his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Harvard University.
"I find Third Rock's investment model unique and am very impressed by its team-focused approach to launching companies built on transformative science," said Dr. Kamen. "I am looking forward to working as part of the Third Rock team and drawing upon my own experience to help in the development of exciting new ventures."
About Third Rock Ventures
Third Rock Ventures is a venture firm focused on life sciences, investing and launching companies that make a difference in people's lives. Collaborating with entrepreneurs, the Third Rock team applies its deep expertise to establish the roadmap and building blocks for a rapidly growing and highly successful life sciences company. The Third Rock team has a unique vision and experience in building great companies, extensive academic and industry networks and a collective track record for creatively managing the value creation path to deliver exceptional performance. For more information, please visit the firm's website at www.thirdrockventures.com.
Current Third Rock Portfolio Companies
Ablexis, Afferent Pharmaceuticals, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Alnara Pharmaceuticals, bluebird bio, Constellation Pharmaceuticals, CytomX Therapeutics, DC Devices, Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Eleven Biotherapeutics, Foundation Medicine, Kala Pharmaceuticals, Nine Point Medical, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Seventh Sense Biosystems and Zafgen.