Atlas Venture Welcomes Rajesh Devraj, PhD, as Venture Partner

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atlas Venture, a leading early stage venture capital firm investing in groundbreaking biotech innovation, announced today that Rajesh (Raj) Devraj, PhD, is joining the firm as a venture partner. Devraj will be working with the Atlas team to identify and execute upon compelling opportunities for new biotechnology company creation.

“Having built several biotech companies alongside Atlas Venture over the past seven years, I am excited to now join the team full-time to focus on venture creation and company building,” said Devraj.

With Atlas, Devraj co-founded and served as chief scientific officer of Disarm Therapeutics, which targeted SARM1 to treat diseases driven by axonal degeneration including MS and ALS and was acquired in 2020 by Eli Lilly for up to $1.36 billion including $135 million upfront. Before Disarm, he served as chief scientific officer of Atlas-founded Padlock Therapeutics until its acquisition by BMS for up to $600 million in 2016. Over a 25-year career in large pharma and biotech, Devraj has held senior leadership positions in drug discovery, early clinical development and strategic planning and has advanced multiple candidates into clinical trials for refractory cancers, autoimmune diseases, IPF, diabetic nephropathy, COPD, and pain. Devraj has also served on the boards of directors for several biotech companies.

“Raj is an experienced scientific entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to the development of new therapeutics for patients,” said Jason Rhodes, partner at Atlas Venture and founding CEO of Disarm Therapeutics. “We are thrilled to continue working with Raj as we create the next generation of groundbreaking biotech companies.”

About Atlas Venture

Atlas Venture is a leading biotech venture capital firm. With the goal of doing well by doing good, we have been building breakthrough biotech startups for over 25 years. We work side by side with exceptional scientists and entrepreneurs to translate high impact science into medicines for patients. Our seed-led venture creation strategy rigorously selects and focuses investment on the most compelling opportunities to build scalable businesses and realize value. For more information, please visit www.atlasventure.com.

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