MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- 5AM Ventures, specializing
in seed and early-stage investments in next-generation life science
companies, today announced the expansion of the firm's investment team with
the appointment of Richard Ulevitch, PhD, as Venture Partner. 5AM Ventures
also announced the promotion of two of the firm's senior associates, Kevin
M. Forrest, PhD, and R. Andrew McMillan, PhD, to Principal. Drs. Forrest
and McMillan have been with the 5AM team since early 2005. Carin M.
Rollins, a founder and formerly a Principal has transitioned to a
consulting role with the firm.
Dr. Ulevitch joins 5AM Ventures from The Scripps Research Institute
(Scripps). He is a renowned expert in the field of immunology; his research
has contributed to the discovery of breakthrough therapeutic product
candidates targeting the immune system. In addition to serving as Chair of
the Department of Immunology at Scripps since 1994, he has been Chairman of
5AM Ventures' Scientific Advisory Board since the firm was founded in 2002.
As Venture Partner, Dr. Ulevitch will identify and review new investment
opportunities as well as continue working with the firm's existing
portfolio companies.
"A distinguished academic researcher who has made significant
contributions to the field of immunology as well as a long-time advisor to
biotechnology companies and investment funds, Richard Ulevitch brings
tremendous insight into the critical evaluation of important new investment
opportunities. We are very pleased to add Richard's expertise on the
translation of scientific discoveries into therapeutic products, which will
make him an invaluable advisor to the firm and resource to our portfolio
companies," said John D. Diekman, PhD, Managing Partner of 5AM Ventures.
"We are pleased to recognize the accomplishments of the 5AM team
through the promotion of Drs. Kevin Forrest and Andrew McMillan. Kevin and
Andrew provide our firm with a strong blend of scientific insights and
business acumen essential to evaluating future investments and managing the
success of 5AM's life science company portfolio," said Scott M. Rocklage,
PhD, Managing Partner of 5AM Ventures.
For nearly three decades, Dr. Ulevitch's pioneering research has
contributed to the identification and understanding of the basic mechanisms
of human innate immune response to infection. His discoveries have and are
currently being translated into drug development in the areas of acute and
chronic inflammation and septic shock. In addition to his scientific
achievements, Dr. Ulevitch has been affiliated with scientific advisory
panels for the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart
Association, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He has also
served as a scientific advisor to Lombard Odier Immunology Fund (Geneva)
and Aravis Ventures (Zurich), and a consultant to numerous biotechnology
and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Ulevitch has an AB from Washington and
Jefferson College and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of
Pennsylvania.
Dr. Forrest joined 5AM Ventures in 2005 from Princeton University where
he completed his graduate work on RNA-based regulatory processes in the lab
of Dr. Elizabeth Gavis. Dr. Forrest currently serves as a board observer to
5AM portfolio companies including Marcadia Biotech, Pulmatrix Inc., Relypsa
Inc., SteriCoat Inc., Variation Biotechnologies, Inc. and WaveRx, Inc. Dr.
Forrest holds a BS in Biology with honors from Boston College and a PhD in
Molecular Biology from Princeton University. Dr. Forrest is based in 5AM's
Waltham, MA office.
Dr. McMillan joined 5AM Ventures in 2005 from the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA), where he was a Principal Investigator in
the Bioengineering Branch and member of the Center for Nanotechnology at
the Ames Research Center. Dr. McMillan currently serves as a board observer
to 5AM portfolio companies including Achaogen Inc., Ambrx Inc., Antipodean
Pharmaceuticals Inc., KaloBios Inc., Pearl Therapeutics Inc., and Wildcat
Discovery Technologies, Inc. Dr. McMillan earned a BS in Chemistry from
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a PhD in Chemistry from Emory
University, where he was awarded department honors for his research in
biomaterials for drug delivery and tissue engineering. Dr. McMillan is
based in 5AM's Menlo Park, CA office.
About 5AM Ventures
Founded in 2002, 5AM Ventures makes seed and early-stage investments in
next-generation life science companies. Formed by successful industry
executives and veteran venture capitalists, the 5AM team takes a focused,
hands-on approach to company building. The 5AM portfolio is diversified
among innovative platforms, spinouts from established biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies, and companies developing near-term products. With
over $200 million under management, 5AM has invested in more than 20
companies during the past five years and is actively investing 5AM Ventures
II, a $150 million fund. For more information on 5AM Ventures, please visit
http://www.5amventures.com.
SOURCE 5AM Ventures
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Related links:
http://www.5amventures.com
CONTACT:
Andy Schwab, Managing Partner of 5AM
Ventures, +1-650-233-8604, or Karen L. Bergman, +1-650-575-1509,
or Michelle Corral, +1-415-794-8662, both of BCC Partners, for
5AM Ventures
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