Founding CEO of Editas Medicine Lands New Gig at Top Biotech VC Firm

June 1, 2017
By Alex Keown, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – After spending many years helming startup biotechs, Kevin Bitterman has shifted from the research lab to the venture capital side of things. Bitterman, the former chief executive officer of Editas Medicine and Morphic Therapeutic is now a partner at Atlas Venture.

Atlas Venture specializes in early stage biotech companies, something of which Bitterman is quite familiar. Bitterman, Atlas said in its announcement, brings a wealth of experience and an accomplished record in startup creation and venture investing.

"I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Atlas at such an exciting time for the firm," Bitterman said in a statement. "Atlas has a deep commitment to transforming medicine through groundbreaking science and a rich history of partnering with entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of company inception. I’m looking forward to contributing as the team builds the next generation of great biotech companies.”

Bitterman is no stranger to the VC world. In addition to his experience helming startup biotechs, Bitterman has had more than a decade of experience raising capital for companies. He joins Atlas after 13 years as a partner at Polaris Partners.

Bitterman also told John Carrol at Endpoints that being trusted by “the world’s best life science entrepreneurs” with their ideas is something that provides a depth of importance to the mission of VCs like Atlas.

“Being seen as passionate company builders and as thoughtful, diligent partners to the entrepreneurs, operators and co-investors (including my good friends at Polaris) who we’re lucky enough to work with. Hopefully that formula allows us to build some companies that will ultimately change medicine for the better and have a real impact on patients’ lives,” Bitterman told Endpoints.

Atlas is a well-known name in biotech funding circles. In recent news, the group has helped finance such companies as Bicycle Therapeutics, Magenta Therapeutics, Spero Therapeutics and more.

David Grayzel, a partner at Atlas, hailed Bitterman as someone who brings a wealth of experience and gravitas to Atlas.

"We have known Kevin for years in the Boston biotech ecosystem and are delighted to welcome him to the team,” Grayzel said in a statement. "Kevin is an exceptional venture investor who brings proven company creation skills and deep scientific expertise to Atlas."

In addition to founding Editas and Morphic, Bitterman co-founded Genocea Biosciences and Visterra, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Bitterman has also served on numerous biotech boards of directors, including InSeal Medical, Kala Pharmaceuticals, Neuronetics, Taris Biomedical and Vets First Choice. Additionally, Bitterman serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and as chairman of the board of the New England Venture Capital Association.

Bitterman earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in molecular and cell biology in 2004.