Third Rock Ventures

Investment Thesis

Third Rock specializes in creating and building life sciences companies from the ground up. They identify promising scientific opportunities, assemble world-class teams, and provide the capital and strategic support needed to translate breakthrough science into transformative medicines. Their hands-on approach includes incubating companies in their Boston offices.

Team

Partners / Managing Directors

• Mark Levin - Partner & Co-Founder
• Kevin Starr - Partner & Co-Founder
• Robert Tepper, MD - Partner & Co-Founder
• Alexis Borisy - Partner
• Neil Exter - Partner

Other Key Team Members

• Lou Tartaglia, PhD - Venture Partner
• Cary Pfeffer, MD - Partner

Focus Areas

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Rare Diseases
• Gene & Cell Therapy
• Drug Discovery Platforms
• Novel Therapeutic Modalities

Notable Portfolio Companies

• Moderna - mRNA therapeutics (IPO 2018, co-founded)
• Agios Pharmaceuticals - Cancer metabolism (IPO 2013, co-founded)
• Bluebird Bio - Gene therapy (IPO 2013, co-founded)
• Relay Therapeutics - AI-driven drug design (IPO 2020)
• Karuna Therapeutics - CNS disorders (IPO 2019, acquired by BMS)
• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals - RNAi therapeutics

Notable Exits

• Moderna - IPO (2018, NASDAQ: MRNA, market cap >$50B at peak)
• Agios Pharmaceuticals - IPO (2013, NASDAQ: AGIO)
• Bluebird Bio - IPO (2013, NASDAQ: BLUE)
• Karuna Therapeutics - Acquired (2024, acquired by BMS for $14B)
• Relay Therapeutics - IPO (2020, NASDAQ: RLAY)
• CRISPR Therapeutics - IPO (2016, NASDAQ: CRSP)

Sources

• Third Rock Ventures website: https://www.thirdrockventures.com
• https://www.thirdrockventures.com/team
• Crunchbase: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/third-rock-ventures
• Forbes, BioCentury coverage