Where does David Kaufman work?

David Kaufman is Partner at Third Rock Ventures.

What does David Kaufman invest in?

David Kaufman invests in Biotech, Digital Health, Medical Devices.

What check size does David Kaufman write?

David Kaufman typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.

What boards does David Kaufman sit on?

David Kaufman holds tracked board seats at Abata Therapeutics, Hookipa Pharma, Nominal.

Where did David Kaufman go to school?

David Kaufman studied at Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University (Doctor of Medicine (MD)); The Rockefeller University (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Virology/Immunology); Swarthmore College (Bachelor's degree, Major in Biology).

David Kaufman

Investor

Partner at Third Rock Ventures

Boston, Massachusetts

Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M

About

Physician-scientist who joined Third Rock Ventures as a venture partner in 2020 and became partner in 2022. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Translational Development at the Gates Medical Research Institute and led Translational Oncology at Merck Research Laboratories.

Invests in

BiotechDigital HealthMedical Devices

Experience

Third Rock VenturesPartnercurrent2022 — present
Third Rock VenturesVenture Partner2020 — 2022Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Abata TherapeuticsDirector2023 — 2025Greater Boston
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc.Director2019 — 2025
Asher BiotherapeuticsActing Head of Clinical and Translational Development2020 — 2022
Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research InstituteChief Medical Officer, Head of Translational Development2018 — 2020Cambridge, Massachusetts
MerckHead, Translational Oncology2017Greater Philadelphia
MerckExecutive Director, Oncology Clinical Research2015 — 2017Greater Philadelphia
MerckDirector, Oncology Clinical Research2014 — 2015Greater Philadelphia Area
MerckAssociate Director, Merck Drug Development and Leadership Program2011 — 2014Greater Philadelphia Area
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterInstructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School2008 — 2011Greater Boston
Massachusetts General HospitalFellow in Infectious Diseases2005 — 2008Greater Boston
UCSFResident in Internal Medicine2003 — 2005San Francisco Bay Area

Education

Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell UniversityDoctor of Medicine (MD)1994 — 2003
The Rockefeller UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Virology/Immunology1994 — 2002
Swarthmore CollegeBachelor's degree, Major in Biology1990 — 1994

Skills & more

Immunology23Vaccines25Molecular Biology7Infectious Diseases28Clinical Research25Virology3Flow Cytometry4Cell Biology8Animal Models2Transfection2Cancer10Western Blotting2

+11 more

In VivoClinical TrialsMedicineInternal MedicineDrug DevelopmentOncologyBiotechnologyDrug DiscoveryPharmaceutical IndustryClinical DevelopmentBiologics

Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases — American Board of Internal Medicine

From David's professional profile.

Deals · 1

NominalBoard seat

via Third Rock Ventures · filed Dec 2023

Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.

Other disclosed investments

Board seats

Abata TherapeuticsHookipa Pharma

Sources: the firm's website · SEC Form D filings.

Colleagues at Third Rock Ventures

Abbie Celniker

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Adam Tebbe

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Alan Ezekowitz

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Alison Connors

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Amanda Chan

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Andrea van Elsas

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Andrew Warren

Senior Associate at Third Rock Ventures

Angelo Severino

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Network5

Abbie Celniker

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Alan Ezekowitz

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Andrea van Elsas

Investor at Third Rock Ventures

Andrew Warren

Senior Associate at Third Rock Ventures

Barbara Weber

Venture Partner at Third Rock Ventures

Investors connected to David in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Who is David Kaufman?: Physician-scientist who joined Third Rock Ventures as a venture partner in 2020 and became partner in 2022. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Translational Development at the Gates Medical Research Institute and led Translational Oncology at Merck Research Laboratories.
Where does David Kaufman work?: David Kaufman is Partner at Third Rock Ventures.
What does David Kaufman invest in?: David Kaufman invests in Biotech, Digital Health, Medical Devices.
What check size does David Kaufman write?: David Kaufman typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.
What boards does David Kaufman sit on?: David Kaufman holds tracked board seats at Abata Therapeutics, Hookipa Pharma, Nominal.
Where did David Kaufman go to school?: David Kaufman studied at Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University (Doctor of Medicine (MD)); The Rockefeller University (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Virology/Immunology); Swarthmore College (Bachelor's degree, Major in Biology).

Same school

Also attended Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University12

Julie YangInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Tracy WilliamsInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Konstantinos AprilakisPartner at Deerfield Management Company Nida ShekhaniDeputy COO & Chief Strategy Officer at Oncology Ventures Tara BishopInvestor at Black Opal Ventures Prakash PatelAdvisor at Reach Capital

+ 6 more

Also attended The Rockefeller University9

Adam ZongEntrepreneur-In-Residence at The Innovation Space Alejo ChornyPrincipal Investment at Criteria Bio Ventures Tommy BroudyOperating Partner, Bridgewest Group at Bridgewest Ventures Tim GardnerVenture Partner at PsyMed Ventures Luca ParolariSenior Associate at DCVC (Data Collective)Jonathan RobbinsInvestor at Foresite Capital

+ 3 more

Also attended Swarthmore College37

Elena VibochManaging Director at General Catalyst Brian SmigaVenture Partner, Co-Founder at Alpha Partners Chad KemmererAnalyst at Volition Capital Alex ZhangInvestor at Matter Venture Partners Bryan BaumCo-Founder & Managing Partner at K5 Global Paul EisenbergInvestor at Extantia Capital

+ 31 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Third Rock Ventures78

Lisa PurcellInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Paul MeloneInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Kevin MunnellyInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Amanda ChanInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Jigar RaythathaInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Olie LuchitskyInvestor at Third Rock Ventures

+ 72 more

Also worked at Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute1

Ankur VoraChief Strategy Officer; President, Africa & India Offices at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Also worked at Merck103

Anika GuptaInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Sam BlackmanEntrepreneur in Residence at GV (Google Ventures)Catherine Pearce, DHSc, MBAAdvisor at CincyTech David MollerInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Alan EzekowitzInvestor at Third Rock Ventures Andrea van ElsasInvestor at Third Rock Ventures

+ 97 more

Also worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center28

Graham GardnerExecutive Partner at Flare Capital Partners Sun AltbachSenior Scientific Advisor at BOLD Longevity Andy BeckCEO, PathAI & Founding Pillar at Pillar VC Diane HessanSpecial Advisor at Data Point Capital Richard StumacherClinical Advisor at Seae Ventures Danielle StrachmanInvestor at NZVC

+ 22 more