Third Rock Ventures Appoints Steven Paul, M.D., as Venture Partner

Third Rock Ventures Appoints Steven Paul, M.D., as Venture Partner

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 5, 2010 - Third Rock Ventures, LLC, a venture capital firm focused on launching leading life sciences companies, today announced that it has appointed Steven M. Paul, M.D., to venture partner. Dr. Paul is the former president of the Lilly Research Laboratories of Eli Lilly and Company and now leads the Helen & Robert Appel Institute for Alzheimer's Research at Weill Cornell Medical College. As a venture partner, Dr. Paul will serve as a senior advisor to the firm and participate in the ideation and development of potential new companies.

"Steve brings invaluable experience to our team as we expand our company building efforts into new therapeutic areas, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Third Rock team," said Kevin Starr, partner, Third Rock Ventures. "In particular, Steve's distinguished career in neuroscience - especially in CNS drug discovery and development - brings depth to the firm in this area, and we look forward to working with him to create and launch new life sciences companies."

Prior to his appointment at Weill Cornell, Dr. Paul spent 17-years at Eli Lilly, during which time he held several key leadership roles, including vice president of neuroscience (CNS) research, group vice president of discovery research (all therapeutic areas). Most recently, he served as president of the Lilly Research Laboratories, where he was responsible for the company's overall research and development efforts - helping to expand Lilly's R&D efforts in oncology and biotechnology - resulting in a pipeline of approximately 70 new molecular entities. Prior to Lilly, Dr. Paul served as Scientific Director of the National Institute of Mental Health. He has also served as Medical Director in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service.

Dr. Paul has been the recipient of many awards and honors and has served on numerous committees and advisory boards. He has also authored or co-authored over 500 papers and book chapters. He is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Paul is also currently on the board of directors or is a trustee of several organizations, including the Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, the Allen Institute for Brain Sciences, The Mind Research Network, and the Foundation for the NIH. Dr. Paul has also served as a member of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Advisory Council and was appointed by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a member of the advisory committee to the director of the NIH from 2001-2006. Dr. Paul is currently a member of the National Advisory Mental Health Council, NIMH, and is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

"I am excited to be a part of the exceptional team at Third Rock Ventures," said Dr. Paul. "I look forward to collaborating with the firm and its expansive network of industry, academic and entrepreneurial partners to build and launch promising companies that will discover and develop innovative new therapies and technologies that will positively impact the lives of patients."

About Third Rock Ventures

Third Rock Ventures L.L.C. 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 www.thirdrockventures.com.

 

 

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