Third Rock Ventures Co-Founder Mark Levin To Receive Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Inc.’s Innovative Leadership Award

Award Recognizes Commitment to Innovation, Growth, and Leadership in Massachusetts

March 18, 2015 (CAMBRIDGE, MA) – The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) announced today that Mark Levin, Co-Founder of Third Rock Ventures and a man who has spent 30 years launching life sciences companies in Massachusetts, will be honored with the Henri A. Termeer Innovative Leadership Award.

The award, given at the MassBio Annual Meeting on March 26th, recognizes an industry executive who has a strong presence and commitment to growth in Massachusetts, actively supports community-based organizations, contributes to science education to prepare the future workforce, and creates a positive work environment that fosters motivation and collaboration. It is named for longtime Genzyme President and CEO, Henri A. Termeer.

“As we stopped to reflect on MassBio reaching our 30th anniversary in 2015, we realized that there are a handful of people without whom we would not all be here today. Mark is known around the world for his passion for improving patient lives through disruptive technologies and innovative science, as well as his colorful wardrobe and infectious energy. We are thrilled to recognize Mark’s contributions and hear his reflections on where the industry has been and will go,” said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio.

In Mark Levin’s tenure, Third Rock Ventures has been recognized as one of the leading life sciences venture capital firms, investing in “Big Science” like gene therapy, personalized medicine and protein engineering in its early stages. Mark focuses on the formation, development and business strategy of portfolio companies, as well as actively identifying and evaluating new investments. He has played significant roles in launching and building a number of Third Rock’s portfolio companies, including as Chairman of the board and former interim CEO of Voyager Therapeutics, board member of Warp Drive Bio, former board member and interim CEO of Eleven Biotherapeutics, and former board member of Foundation Medicine.

Prior to Third Rock, Levin was co-founder of Mayfield Fund's life sciences effort, where he was also the founding chief executive officer of Tularik, Cell Genesys/Abgenix, Focal, Stem Cells and Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Mark served as chief executive officer of Millennium Pharmaceuticals for 12 years. Earlier in his career, he was an engineer and project leader at Lilly and Genentech.

In addition to his commitment to the industry, Levin is committed to supporting STEM education, most recently by co-founding The Possible Project, a youth entrepreneurship center that teaches high school students to start and run their own businesses.

Levin is the seventh person to receive this award. Past recipients include former EMD Serono President & CEO, Fereydoun Firouz; Cubist Pharmaceuticals President & CEO, Michael Bonney; Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company President & CEO, Deborah Dunsire; Vertex CEO, Joshua Boger; Josef von Rickenbach, Chairman and CEO of PAREXEL International Corporation, and Biogen Idec CEO, George Scangos.

This year’s award presentation will be held at MassBio’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA.

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About MassBio

www.massbio.org

MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 650 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and healthcare, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.

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