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 Life Science

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Locanabio

Series B in 2020
Locanabio, Inc., is an RNA-targeting gene therapy company focused on developing therapies for patients with severe neurodegenerative, neuromuscular, and retinal diseases.

CANbridge Pharma

Series E in 2020
CANbridge Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of healthcare products in China and North Asia, particularly for oncology and rare diseases. Established in 2012 and headquartered in Beijing, with additional offices in Shanghai, Cambridge, Taipei, and Hong Kong, the company partners with Western biopharmaceutical firms to bring clinical-stage pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic products to the region. CANbridge specializes in therapies for serious medical conditions that are either unavailable or inadequately addressed in North Asia. Its key product, CAN008, is a glycosylated CD95-Fc fusion protein aimed at treating glioblastoma multiforme, while the company also has a diverse pipeline of biologics and small molecules targeting conditions such as Hunter Syndrome, hemophilia A, and various rare metabolic disorders. Through licensing and exclusive commercialization agreements, CANbridge seeks to enhance healthcare solutions for underserved patient populations in the region.

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.

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.

CANbridge Pharma

Series D in 2020
CANbridge Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of healthcare products in China and North Asia, particularly for oncology and rare diseases. Established in 2012 and headquartered in Beijing, with additional offices in Shanghai, Cambridge, Taipei, and Hong Kong, the company partners with Western biopharmaceutical firms to bring clinical-stage pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic products to the region. CANbridge specializes in therapies for serious medical conditions that are either unavailable or inadequately addressed in North Asia. Its key product, CAN008, is a glycosylated CD95-Fc fusion protein aimed at treating glioblastoma multiforme, while the company also has a diverse pipeline of biologics and small molecules targeting conditions such as Hunter Syndrome, hemophilia A, and various rare metabolic disorders. Through licensing and exclusive commercialization agreements, CANbridge seeks to enhance healthcare solutions for underserved patient populations in the region.

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.

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.

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.