Kurt von Emster
InvestorManaging Partner at Abingworth · Board director at Iambic Therapeutics, Inc. · Board director at SutroVax · Board director at Jasper Therapeutics
Menlo Park, California
Writes $15M – $30M checks · typically $22.5M
About
Kurt von Emster joined Abingworth in January 2015 and has over 30 years of experience investing in private and public life science companies. He previously worked as a biotechnology and healthcare analyst and portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton, was a General Partner at MPM Capital, and in 2009 co-founded the US healthcare investment firm venBio, where he was most recently a Partner. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics.
Contact· self-published, not guessed
Invests in
Biotech
Board director at Iambic Therapeutics, Inc.
Intro paths
→
In turn, Kurt can intro founders to Iambic Therapeutics, Inc.'s investors below.
Iambic Therapeutics, Inc.'s investors · 3
Co-founders at Iambic Therapeutics, Inc.
FM
Fred ManbyExecutive Officer, Director
TM
Thomas MillerExecutive Officer, Director
Board director at SutroVax
Intro paths
→
In turn, Kurt can intro founders to SutroVax's investors below.
SutroVax's investors · 5
Co-founders at SutroVax
GE
Grant E PickeringExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
Board director at Jasper Therapeutics
Intro paths
→
In turn, Kurt can intro founders to Jasper Therapeutics's investors below.
Jasper Therapeutics's investors · 4
Co-founders at Jasper Therapeutics
JS
Judith ShizuruDirector
Experience
- AbingworthManaging Partner, Head of Life Sciencescurrent2015 — presentMenlo Park, CA
- Iambic TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2023 — presentSan Diego, California, United States
- Tizona Therapeutics, Inc.Board Membercurrent2020 — presentSouth San Francisco, California, United States
- Orbus TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2020 — presentPalo Alto, California, United States
- SFJ Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Board Membercurrent2020 — presentPleasanton, California, United States
- Jasper TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2019 — presentRedwood City, California, United States
- CymaBay TherapeuticsBoard of Directors2009 — 2024Newark, California, United States
- VaxcyteChairman2015 — 2022San Carlos, California, United States
- Vera Therapeutics, Inc.Chairman2020 — 2022South San Francisco, California, United States
- Trishula Therapeutics, Inc.Board Member2020 — 2022South San Francisco, California, United States
- CRISPR TherapeuticsMember Board of Directors2015 — 2019Cambridge, MA
- Kesios TherapeuticsBoard Member2015 — 2017London Area, United Kingdom
- Cytos BiotechnologyBoard Member2012 — 2015Zurich Switzerland
- Aurinia PharmaceuticalsBoard Member2014 — 2015Victoria, BC
- venBio LLCFounding Partner2009 — 2015
- Somaxon PharmaceuticalsBoard of Directors2005 — 2013San Diego County, California, United States
- Facet BiotechBoard of Directors2009 — 2010
- MPM CapitalGeneral Partner / Portfolio Manager2000 — 2009
- Franklin Templeton InvestmentsVice President - Portfolio Management1989 — 2000
Skills & more
Biotechnology28Lifesciences10Venture Capital55Investments20Pharmaceutical Industry11Corporate Development11Strategy28Start-ups10Mergers & Acquisitions13Strategic Planning4Investor Relations4Oncology2
+12 more
EntrepreneurshipCompetitive AnalysisBusiness PlanningPrivate EquityTechnology TransferManagementCommercializationLicensingExecutive ManagementCross-functional Team LeadershipM&A experienceValuation- CFA
From Kurt's professional profile.
Deals · 3
Iambic Therapeutics, Inc.Board seat
via Abingworth · filed Oct 2023 · $110M raise
Vera TherapeuticsBoard seat
via Abingworth · filed Feb 2021 · $70.7M raise
SutroVaxBoard seat
via Abingworth · filed Mar 2017 · $60.2M raise
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Other disclosed investments
Board seats
CymaBayIambicJasperOrbusSFJ PharmaceuticalsTizona Therapeutics
Sources: the firm's website · SEC Form D filings.
Colleagues at Abingworth
Alex Asquith
Counsel at Abingworth
Amit Khasgiwala
Investment Professional at Innovatus Capital Partners
Andrew Sinclair
Managing Director, Head of Publics & Late Stage at Abingworth
Ankur Shah
Vice President, CCD at Abingworth
Anna Slezak
Senior Associate at Abingworth
Bali Muralidhar
Global Head of Life Sciences & CIO at Abingworth
Carlos Paya
Venture Partner at Ysios Capital
Dayle Hogg
Operating Executive at Abingworth
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Kurt von Emster?
- Kurt von Emster joined Abingworth in January 2015 and has over 30 years of experience investing in private and public life science companies. He previously worked as a biotechnology and healthcare analyst and portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton, was a General Partner at MPM Capital, and in 2009 co-founded the US healthcare investment firm venBio, where he was most recently a Partner. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics.
- Where does Kurt von Emster work?
- Kurt von Emster is Managing Partner at Abingworth and Board director at Iambic Therapeutics, Inc. and Board director at SutroVax and Board director at Jasper Therapeutics.
- What does Kurt von Emster invest in?
- Kurt von Emster invests in Biotech.
- What check size does Kurt von Emster write?
- Kurt von Emster typically writes checks of $15M – $30M.
- What boards does Kurt von Emster sit on?
- Kurt von Emster holds tracked board seats at CymaBay, Iambic, Iambic Therapeutics, Inc., Jasper, Orbus, SFJ Pharmaceuticals, SutroVax, Tizona Therapeutics, Vera Therapeutics.
- Where did Kurt von Emster go to school?
- Kurt von Emster studied at UC Santa Barbara (Bachelor of Science (BS), Business and Economics).
Same school
Also attended UC Santa Barbara235
Logan GreenCo-founder of LyftArturo LitvinHead of Global Portfolio Development at Intel CapitalKevin ThauInvestor at Spark CapitalErica DelamareInvestor at DaphniTiffany ChandraVice President, Head of Talent Network at Sapphire VenturesStephanie DuranInvestor at True Ventures
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Shared employers
Also worked at Vera Therapeutics, Inc.1
Also worked at CRISPR Therapeutics6
Briggs MorrisonEntrepreneur Partner at MPM BioImpactJerel DavisManaging Director at Versant VenturesJohn LeonardExecutives in Residence at GENERAL INCEPTIONMaria FardisVenture Partner at Frazier Life SciencesTony HoInvestor at Pivotal Life SciencesRodger NovakVenture Partner at SR One Capital Management
Also worked at MPM Capital37
Christiana BardonManaging Partner of MPM BioImpact, leading the firm's public market investingDetlev BiniszkiewiczManaging Director at MPM BioImpactLuke EvninAdvisor at MPM BioImpactTodd FoleyManaging Director at MPM BioImpactAnsbert K. GadickeManaging Partner at MPM BioImpactDavid KoleskyPrincipal at MPM BioImpact
+ 31 more
Also worked at Franklin Templeton Investments38
Geoff YangCo-Founder at Redpoint VenturesJohn HornbostelCounsel at Medical Excellence CapitalCara Brennan AllamanoAdvisor, People Tech & HR at Verissimo VenturesDaniel ChenPartner at Highland Creek PartnersMichael SidgmoreInvestor at Broadhaven Capital PartnersKaren KingManaging Director & Chief Operating Officer at Silver Lake Partners
+ 32 more