Venrock

Investment Thesis

Venrock invests in transformative healthcare companies with strong scientific foundations and exceptional teams. They focus on companies developing novel therapeutic modalities, innovative medical devices, and digital health solutions that can fundamentally change patient care. Their long-term approach and patient capital enable portfolio companies to pursue ambitious goals.

Team

Partners / Managing Directors (Healthcare Focus)

• Bryan Roberts, PhD - Partner (healthcare lead)
• Camille Samuels - Partner
• Bob Kocher, MD - Partner (former Obama healthcare advisor)
• Ravi Viswanathan - Partner

Other Key Team Members

• Austin Byers - Partner
• Racquel Bracken - Partner

Focus Areas

• Therapeutics (Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience)
• Medical Devices
• Diagnostics
• Digital Health & Healthcare IT
• AI in Healthcare
• Drug Delivery

Notable Portfolio Companies

• Suki - AI voice assistant for healthcare ($70M Series D, October 2024)
• Illumina - DNA sequencing (early investor, IPO 2000)
• Athenahealth - Healthcare IT (early investor, acquired)
• 23andMe - Consumer genetics (early investor)
• Inscripta - Gene editing

Notable Exits

• Illumina - IPO (2000, NASDAQ: ILMN, market cap >$30B)
• Athenahealth - Acquired (2019, $5.7B deal)
• Idec Pharmaceuticals - Merged with Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB)
• Gilead Sciences - IPO (NASDAQ: GILD, early investor)
• Centocor - Acquired (acquired by J&J for $4.9B)

Sources

• Venrock website: https://www.venrock.com
• https://www.venrock.com/team
• Crunchbase: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/venrock
• Forbes Midas List, TechCrunch coverage