January 6, 2022 | From the Trenches

How Early Is Too Early To Establish A Commercial Function In Biotech?

After close to 20 years at Genentech (GNE) shaping and directing marketing and commercialization efforts for novel oncology therapies, I finally took the plunge leaving big Biotech to join a smaller early-stage biotech company called Replimune. Interestingly, several people (both internal and external) have asked me “why do you need a CCO or commercial function” at this stage? As I have been mapping out the first year of the commercial plan and road to launch for Replimune it’s become clear that you really can’t have a commercial seat at the table early enough. This was true at GNE/Roche where the organization worked hard over many years to include commercial perspectives for early assets beyond just a few words in the target product profile.

By Sush Patel, CCO of Replimune as part of the From The Trenches feature of LifeSciVC.

October 1, 2021 | Press Release

Atlas Venture Announces $300 Million Second Opportunity Fund

Atlas Venture, a leading early stage venture capital and venture creation firm investing in biotech innovation, today announced the closing of its second Opportunity Fund, raising $300 million in an oversubscribed fundraise. Atlas Venture Opportunity Fund II (AVOF II), will enable Atlas to continue its model of supporting its portfolio companies as they raise subsequent financings and advance therapeutic programs.

August 31, 2021 | In the News

Atlas, Medicxi Invest $70M in Antibody for Obesity Licensed from Novartis

Science and industry have been working, for what seems like a lifetime, to come up with a safe and effective treatment for obesity.

August 27, 2021 | From the Trenches

In the Shadows

I recently stepped down after a six-year stint as Chairman of uniQure (NASDAQ: QURE). In the process of interviewing potential successors, one candidate observed that “there is no manual for how to chair a biotech company.” I had never really thought about that previously, but the comment struck a chord. While I am not sure I have it in me to write a manual, a blog seemed a manageable and appropriate means to share a few learnings from my experience serving as chair of four companies (two public and two private) and working with six chairs or lead independent directors in three CEO / President roles over the past two decades.

By Philip Astley-Sparke, CEO of Replimune, as part of the From The Trenches feature of LifeSciVC.

August 18, 2021 | In the News

Vigil bags $90M to take ex-Amgen assets on path from rare diseases to Alzheimer’s

Vigil Neuroscience is barreling forward with a strategy that will see it hop along steppingstones from rare diseases to Alzheimer’s. Having emerged with $50 million late last year, Vigil has gathered up an additional $90 million to validate its ex-Amgen asset in a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disease.