RA Capital

RA Capital Management, L.P. is a Boston-based venture capital firm focused on growth capital and early-stage investments in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Established in 2001, the firm specializes in funding companies involved in drug development, medical devices, diagnostics, and biotechnology. It engages in a range of investment stages, from seed funding to later rounds and public offerings, often preferring to co-invest and take board positions. RA Capital targets companies that are innovating in areas such as prevention, cost-effective diagnostics, genetic testing, and personalized medicine. The firm is staffed by professionals with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, and medicine, providing them with a deep understanding of the scientific and regulatory landscape. This expertise allows RA Capital to identify promising technologies and offer strategic guidance, including potential partnerships and insights into public market demands.

Ryan Berry

Analyst

Michael Calore

Director of Investor Relations

Tess Cameron

Principal

Parker Cassidy

Principal

Amanda Daniels

Operations Team

Derek DiRocco

Partner

Matthew Hammond

Principal

Nathaniel B. Horwitz

Principal

Peter Kolchinsky Ph.D

Managing Partner

Andrew Levin Ph.D

Managing Partner

Daniel Marks Ph.D

Principal

Josh Resnick

Managing Director

Zach Scheiner

Principal

Rajeev Shah

Managing Partner

Jake Simson

Partner

Laura Tadvalkar

Principal

Jack Vailas

Senior Associate

Past deals in Biotechnology

Boundless Bio

Series C in 2023
Boundless Bio, Inc., biopharma company, develops therapies and medicines for the treatment of cancers. It offers therapeutics based on extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) one of the drivers of the aggressive cancers, such as cancers characterized by high copy number amplification of oncogenes. The company was formerly known as Pretzel Therapeutics, Inc. Boundless Bio, Inc. was founded in 2018 and is based in LA Jolla, California.

Napigen

Seed Round in 2022
We are the genome editing company specialized for mitochondrial engineering. We address unmet needs of future food supplies by creating hybrid crop plants to boost their yields to an unprecedented level. The company’s technology creates robust male sterile lines that are ideal over conventional lines because of their stability and elite backgrounds. This allows the production of non-GM hybrid seeds in crop plants that are currently mostly non-hybrid such as wheat. Our technology solution is expected to fulfill the highest level of public acceptance and aspiration.

DBV Technologies

Post in 2022
DBV Technologies S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of epicutaneous immunotherapy products aimed at treating food allergies. The company’s lead candidate, Viaskin Peanut, has completed Phase III clinical trials for peanut allergies in children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, DBV is developing Viaskin Milk, which is in Phase I/II trials for cow's milk protein allergy and related conditions, and Viaskin Egg, which is in pre-clinical stages for hen’s egg allergy. The company is also working on a booster vaccine for Bordetella pertussis, along with earlier-stage research programs targeting respiratory syncytial virus, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and type I diabetes. DBV Technologies collaborates with Nestlé Health Science to create MAG1C, a diagnostic patch test for non-IgE mediated cow's milk protein allergy in infants and toddlers. Founded in 2002, the company is headquartered in Montrouge, France.

Be Biopharma

Series B in 2022
Be Biopharma, Inc. is focused on developing innovative therapeutics derived from engineered B-cells within the immune system. The company aims to address significant limitations associated with existing cell and gene therapies, such as the challenges of administering multiple doses, unpredictable patient reactions, and the necessity of potentially harmful chemotherapy regimens prior to treatment. Be Biopharma's approach allows for the creation of durable therapies that can be re-administered without toxic conditioning, making these treatments suitable for a range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Founded in 2020, Be Biopharma is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Ansa Biotechnologies

Series A in 2022
Ansa Biotechnologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, focused on developing innovative DNA synthesis technology utilizing enzymes. Established in 2018, the company aims to improve upon traditional chemical methods of DNA synthesis that have remained largely unchanged for decades. Ansa's enzymatic approach offers significant advantages, including increased speed, accuracy, and cleanliness in the production of DNA fragments such as oligonucleotides. This technology enhances the capabilities of biological research, therapeutics, diagnostics, and biomanufacturing by enabling the synthesis of gene-length oligonucleotides. Through its advancements, Ansa Biotechnologies seeks to facilitate innovation in the fields of biological research and engineering, ultimately providing valuable services to medical researchers and contributing to the broader biotechnology landscape.

Synthego

Series E in 2022
Synthego is a genome engineering company that enables the acceleration of life science research and development in the pursuit of improved human health. The company leverages machine learning, automation, and gene editing to build platforms for science at scale. With its foundations in engineering disciplines, the company’s full-stack platform vertically integrates proprietary hardware, software, bioinformatics, chemistries, and molecular biology to advance both basic research and therapeutic development programs. By providing both commercial and academic researchers and therapeutic developers with unprecedented access to cutting-edge genome engineering, Synthego is at the forefront of innovation, accelerating the development of truly engineered biology. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Redwood City, California.

Metagenomi

Series B in 2022
Metagenomi, Inc. is a genetic medicines company based in Emeryville, California, focused on developing innovative gene editing systems for the treatment of genetic diseases. Since its incorporation in 2016, the company has utilized a proprietary metagenomics-derived genome editing toolbox that enables the creation of curative therapeutics. This toolbox encompasses a range of advanced technologies, including programmable nucleases, base editors, and various RNA and DNA-mediated integration systems, such as prime editing systems and CRISPR-associated transposases (CASTs). Metagenomi aims to address the challenges posed by diverse mutations that have traditionally been difficult to target with existing genome engineering approaches.

Acrivon Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Acrivon Therapeutics is a biotech company specializing in drug development through early clinical treatment success.

GentiBio

Series A in 2021
GentiBio, Inc. is a biotherapeutics company focused on developing engineered regulatory T cells (EngTregs) to treat a range of conditions, including autoimmune, alloimmune, autoinflammatory, and allergic diseases. Founded in 2020 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional locations in Seattle and Israel, GentiBio utilizes a proprietary platform that combines autologous and allogeneic EngTregs. This innovative approach aims to restore immune tolerance and address the limitations found in current regulatory T-cell therapies. The company was co-founded by experts in Treg biology and synthetic immunology, emphasizing its commitment to addressing the underlying causes of diseases linked to immune system dysfunction.

Element Biosciences

Series C in 2021
Element Biosciences, Inc. develops genetic analysis tools for the research and diagnostic markets. The company provides a disruptive DNA sequencing technology and a sequencing platform, such as surface chemistry, sequencing chemistry, detection, and data analysis. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in San Diego, California.

Bright Peak Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Bright Peak Therapeutics is a biotechnology company with a platform capable of chemically synthesizing and optimizing natural proteins such as cytokines.
Born from the founders’ recognition that their diverse but complementary skills and experiences would enable them to successfully address challenges that others had not, the company set about solving a vexing problem: how to bring true proteomics to the world in a way that accelerates therapeutic development, dramatically improves medical diagnostics, and makes personalized and predictive medicine a reality. The extraordinary team at Nautilus represents a wide spectrum of disciplines and expertise, including protein chemists, chip designers, molecular biologists, data scientists, material scientists, biophysicists, optical engineers, microfluidics engineers, bioinformaticists, software engineers, and more. Nautilus is positioned to revolutionize proteomics, transform the way drugs are developed, and significantly improve the way human health is managed.

Forge Biologics

Series B in 2021
Forge Biologics is a gene therapy development engine founded in 2020 and headquartered in Grove City, Ohio. The company specializes in the development and manufacturing of gene therapies, focusing on transforming innovative concepts into accessible treatments for rare genetic diseases. With end-to-end capabilities, Forge Biologics helps accelerate gene therapy programs from preclinical stages through to clinical and commercial-scale production. The company collaborates with various stakeholders in the gene therapy community, including scientists, healthcare professionals, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocacy groups. Among its notable initiatives is a unique approach combining adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and umbilical cord transplants to treat infantile Krabbe disease, a severe neurodegenerative disorder. Through its comprehensive services, Forge Biologics aims to provide transformative medicines that improve patient outcomes.

Boundless Bio

Series B in 2021
Boundless Bio, Inc., biopharma company, develops therapies and medicines for the treatment of cancers. It offers therapeutics based on extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) one of the drivers of the aggressive cancers, such as cancers characterized by high copy number amplification of oncogenes. The company was formerly known as Pretzel Therapeutics, Inc. Boundless Bio, Inc. was founded in 2018 and is based in LA Jolla, California.

New Equilibrium Biosciences

Seed Round in 2021
New Equilibrium Biosciences provides a platform that reveals opportunities for structure-based design by learning biophysics with AI.

Graphite Bio

Series B in 2021
At Graphite Bio, they are rapidly building a next-generation gene editing company that is driven to apply their breakthrough technology with urgency to advance gene replacement therapies and cures for people living with serious diseases. They stand apart through our ability to harness natural and highly precise cellular DNA repair machinery to achieve high efficiency, targeted gene integration to correct the underlying causes of diseases.

Vividion Therapeutics

Series C in 2021
Vividion Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company, develops therapeutics to treat major unmet medical needs using the platform for proteome-wide small molecule drug discovery. The company combines a proteome-wide small molecule screening approach and synthetic chemistry techniques. It provides small molecule selectivity and creates a path to drugging any protein. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

IO Biotech

Series B in 2021
IO Biotech ApS is a clinical stage biotech company developing disruptive immune therapies i.e. checkpoint/cancer vaccines. Checkpoint/cancer vaccines suppress the function of regulatory immune cells and induce inflammation in the microenvironment in addition to direct targeting of cancer cells.

Metagenomi

Series A in 2020
Metagenomi, Inc. is a genetic medicines company based in Emeryville, California, focused on developing innovative gene editing systems for the treatment of genetic diseases. Since its incorporation in 2016, the company has utilized a proprietary metagenomics-derived genome editing toolbox that enables the creation of curative therapeutics. This toolbox encompasses a range of advanced technologies, including programmable nucleases, base editors, and various RNA and DNA-mediated integration systems, such as prime editing systems and CRISPR-associated transposases (CASTs). Metagenomi aims to address the challenges posed by diverse mutations that have traditionally been difficult to target with existing genome engineering approaches.

LianBio

Venture Round in 2020
LianBio’s mission is to catalyze the development and accelerate availability of paradigm-shifting medicines to patients in China and major Asian markets through partnerships that provide access to the best science-driven therapeutic discoveries. LianBio collaborates with world-class partners across a diverse array of therapeutic and geographic areas to build out a pipeline based on disease relevance and the ability to impact patients with transformative mechanisms and precision-based therapeutics.

Be Biopharma

Series A in 2020
Be Biopharma, Inc. is focused on developing innovative therapeutics derived from engineered B-cells within the immune system. The company aims to address significant limitations associated with existing cell and gene therapies, such as the challenges of administering multiple doses, unpredictable patient reactions, and the necessity of potentially harmful chemotherapy regimens prior to treatment. Be Biopharma's approach allows for the creation of durable therapies that can be re-administered without toxic conditioning, making these treatments suitable for a range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Founded in 2020, Be Biopharma is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Synthego

Series D in 2020
Synthego is a genome engineering company that enables the acceleration of life science research and development in the pursuit of improved human health. The company leverages machine learning, automation, and gene editing to build platforms for science at scale. With its foundations in engineering disciplines, the company’s full-stack platform vertically integrates proprietary hardware, software, bioinformatics, chemistries, and molecular biology to advance both basic research and therapeutic development programs. By providing both commercial and academic researchers and therapeutic developers with unprecedented access to cutting-edge genome engineering, Synthego is at the forefront of innovation, accelerating the development of truly engineered biology. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Redwood City, California.
Suzhou Connect Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd., a clinical-stage company, discovers and develops novel medicines for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammation. Its products in pipeline includes CBP-307, an orally-active, second-generation S1P1 agonist for the treatment of a range of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, graft-versus-host disease, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis; CBP-174 for allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis; and CBP-201, a novel monoclonal antibody for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and other types of allergic inflammation. The company is headquartered in Taicang, China with operations in Melbourne and San Diego.

GentiBio

Seed Round in 2020
GentiBio, Inc. is a biotherapeutics company focused on developing engineered regulatory T cells (EngTregs) to treat a range of conditions, including autoimmune, alloimmune, autoinflammatory, and allergic diseases. Founded in 2020 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional locations in Seattle and Israel, GentiBio utilizes a proprietary platform that combines autologous and allogeneic EngTregs. This innovative approach aims to restore immune tolerance and address the limitations found in current regulatory T-cell therapies. The company was co-founded by experts in Treg biology and synthetic immunology, emphasizing its commitment to addressing the underlying causes of diseases linked to immune system dysfunction.

Element Biosciences

Series B in 2020
Element Biosciences, Inc. develops genetic analysis tools for the research and diagnostic markets. The company provides a disruptive DNA sequencing technology and a sequencing platform, such as surface chemistry, sequencing chemistry, detection, and data analysis. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in San Diego, California.

Legend Biotech

Series A in 2020
Legend Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company bringing impactful innovations in cell therapy, and accelerating the science. They are committed to improving the lives of patients worldwide. They are also steadfast in their goal to develop innovative cellular therapies that bring us closer to a cure. It develops cell therapies from discovery through commercialization.

Precision BioSciences

Series B in 2018
Precision BioSciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in genome editing, utilizing its proprietary ARCUS platform to develop therapeutic and food products. The Therapeutic segment focuses on creating allogeneic CAR T immunotherapies aimed at treating various cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma, with several candidates currently in clinical trials. Notable product candidates include PBCAR0191, targeting CD19, and PBCAR269A, targeting BCMA. Additionally, the company is engaged in in vivo gene correction and has collaborations for developing treatments for chronic Hepatitis B. The Food segment aims to innovate in food and nutrition products. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Precision BioSciences is committed to translating advanced genome editing technology into impactful medical and agricultural solutions.

CiVi Biopharma

Venture Round in 2018
CiVi Biopharma is a clinical stage research and development biotechnology company whose mission is to create novel cardiovascular and metabolic therapies that have meaningful value to patients. The company has multiple assets in various stages of development including Intravenous Iloprost in Phase 3 trials for treatment of Systemic Sclerosis.

TeraPore

Series A in 2018
TeraPore Technologies, Inc. is a company based in South San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing membrane technology aimed at improving bioprocessing applications. Founded in 2013, TeraPore focuses on the purification of biological fluids through innovative solutions that combine uniform pores with high pore densities. This technology enables efficient and rapid purification processes, particularly for high-value products. By offering targeted and uniform nanofiltration capabilities, TeraPore addresses bioseparation challenges, providing biotech enterprises with membranes that exhibit desirable permeability, flow rates, and consistent pore sizes.

Wave Life Sciences

Series B in 2015
Wave Life Sciences Ltd. is a clinical stage genetic medicine company that specializes in the design and production of novel stereopure oligonucleotides using its proprietary PRISM platform. Focused on addressing genetic defects, the company develops therapies aimed at reducing the expression of harmful proteins or converting dysfunctional proteins into functional ones. Its primary research areas include neurologic conditions affecting the central and neuromuscular systems. Wave Life Sciences has established research and collaboration agreements with major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Takeda, to advance its oligonucleotide therapeutics. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Singapore and maintains research facilities in Boston and Japan. The founding scientists, Gregory Verdine and Takeshi Wada, are recognized leaders in the field, contributing their expertise to the development of innovative nucleic acid therapeutics.

Precision BioSciences

Series A in 2015
Precision BioSciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in genome editing, utilizing its proprietary ARCUS platform to develop therapeutic and food products. The Therapeutic segment focuses on creating allogeneic CAR T immunotherapies aimed at treating various cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma, with several candidates currently in clinical trials. Notable product candidates include PBCAR0191, targeting CD19, and PBCAR269A, targeting BCMA. Additionally, the company is engaged in in vivo gene correction and has collaborations for developing treatments for chronic Hepatitis B. The Food segment aims to innovate in food and nutrition products. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Precision BioSciences is committed to translating advanced genome editing technology into impactful medical and agricultural solutions.

Wave Life Sciences

Series A in 2015
Wave Life Sciences Ltd. is a clinical stage genetic medicine company that specializes in the design and production of novel stereopure oligonucleotides using its proprietary PRISM platform. Focused on addressing genetic defects, the company develops therapies aimed at reducing the expression of harmful proteins or converting dysfunctional proteins into functional ones. Its primary research areas include neurologic conditions affecting the central and neuromuscular systems. Wave Life Sciences has established research and collaboration agreements with major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Takeda, to advance its oligonucleotide therapeutics. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Singapore and maintains research facilities in Boston and Japan. The founding scientists, Gregory Verdine and Takeshi Wada, are recognized leaders in the field, contributing their expertise to the development of innovative nucleic acid therapeutics.

Moderna

Series E in 2015
Moderna, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2010. It specializes in the development of therapeutics and vaccines utilizing messenger RNA technology, which instructs cells to produce proteins essential for various biological functions. The company's extensive pipeline includes 40 mRNA development candidates targeting a range of therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases, oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and rare genetic disorders. Moderna gained significant recognition with its COVID-19 vaccine, which was authorized for use in the United States in December 2020. The company maintains strategic partnerships with organizations such as AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, enhancing its research capabilities and manufacturing processes. Additionally, it has research collaborations with esteemed institutions like Harvard University.

Bluebird Bio

Series D in 2012
Bluebird Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing transformative gene therapies for severe genetic diseases and cancer. The company is engaged in researching and commercializing therapies that aim to genetically modify patients' cells to correct the underlying genetic causes of diseases. Key programs include LentiGlobin for β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, and Lenti-D for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. In oncology, bluebird bio is developing CAR T cell therapies, such as bb2121 and bb21217, for multiple myeloma. The company has formed strategic collaborations with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to advance gene therapies in oncology, and works with various partners to develop innovative solutions in cancer treatment and in vivo genome editing for genetic disorders. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, bluebird bio generates revenue through collaboration arrangements, research fees, license fees, and grants.

OvaScience

Series B in 2012
OvaScience, Inc. was a fertility company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative treatment options for women facing infertility challenges. The company focused on its patented technology involving the discovery of egg precursor (EggPC) cells, which aimed to transform fertility treatments. Key offerings included OvaPrime, which sought to restore egg production by utilizing a woman’s own EggPC cells; OvaTure, designed to mature these cells into fertilizable eggs outside the body; and AUGMENT, which enhanced fertilization and pregnancy rates by incorporating mitochondria from a woman’s EggPC cells. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, OvaScience was co-founded by notable figures from the life sciences field and was backed by prominent investors. In December 2018, OvaScience was acquired by Millendo Therapeutics in a reverse merger transaction.

T2 Biosystems

Series D in 2011
T2 Biosystems is a private company developing a next-generation medical diagnostic platform that will enable rapid and accurate diagnostic tests of all types on a single, easy to use instrument. The proprietary technology combines nanotechnology and miniaturized magnetic resonance (MR) technology and eliminates the need for costly and time consuming sample preparation.

T2 Biosystems

Series C in 2010
T2 Biosystems is a private company developing a next-generation medical diagnostic platform that will enable rapid and accurate diagnostic tests of all types on a single, easy to use instrument. The proprietary technology combines nanotechnology and miniaturized magnetic resonance (MR) technology and eliminates the need for costly and time consuming sample preparation.

Genelabs Technologies

Venture Round in 2006
As of January 6, 2009, Genelabs Technologies Inc. was acquired by SmithKline Beecham Corporation. Genelabs Technologies, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery and development of infectious disease therapies to improve human health. The company's product pipeline consists of infectious disease projects focusing on Hepatitis C virus infection; and late-stage clinical assets, including an investigational vaccine for hepatitis E virus that is being developed by GlaxoSmithKline; and Prestara, an investigational drug for systemic lupus erythematosus. It has license and collaboration agreement with the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research for HCV polymerase non-nucleoside discovery research. Genelabs Technologies also has a collaborative research agreement with the National Health Research Institutes and Genovate Biotechnology Co., Ltd. to discover and develop compounds that target the hepatitis C virus. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California.