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Kurt von Emster

Investor

Managing Partner at Abingworth · Board director at Iambic · Board director at Veratx · Board director at Attenua

Menlo Park, California

Writes $15M – $30M checks · typically $22.5M

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You →Robert · together at SFJ Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2020–2026) →Kurt

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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

Intro paths

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In turn, Kurt can intro founders to Iambic's investors below.

Iambic's investors · 14

AbingworthLondon · $15M – $30M checks · since 2023Alumni VenturesManchester · $100K – $10M checksAscenta CapitalWilmington · $15M – $30M checksCatalio Capital ManagementNew YorkCatalio Capital Management, LPNew YorkCoatue ManagementNew York · $1M – $20M checksEisai Innovation, Inc.Cambridge · $5M checksFREEFLOWBerkeleyIllumina VenturesFoster CityIreland Strategic Investment FundDublinNexus Venture PartnersMenlo Park · $500K – $10M checks · since 2023NVIDIASanta Clara · since 2024OrbiMedNew York · $1M – $75M checksSequoia CapitalMenlo Park · $100K – $50M checks

Co-founders at Iambic

TMTom Miller
Tom MillerFounder
FM
Fred ManbyFounder
TM
Thomas Miller Fred ManbyFounder

Board director at Veratx

Intro paths

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In turn, Kurt can intro founders to Veratx's investors below.

Veratx's investors · 5

AbingworthLondon · $15M – $30M checks · since 2020Kleiner PerkinsMenlo Park · $500K – $15M checks · since 2020Longitude CapitalMenlo Park · $10M – $30M checks · since 2020Sofinnova Venture PartnersMenlo Park · since 2020Sofinnova VenturesMenlo Park · $100K – $15M checks · since 2021

Co-founders at Veratx

MF
Marshall FordyceExecutive Officer, Director

Board director at Attenua

Intro paths

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In turn, Kurt can intro founders to Attenua's investors below.

Attenua's investors · 3

AbingworthLondon · $15M – $30M checks · since 2018OrbiMedNew York · $1M – $75M checks · since 2018REDMILESan Francisco · since 2018

Experience

  1. AbingworthManaging Partner, Head of Life Sciencescurrent2015 — presentMenlo Park, CA
  2. Iambic TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2023 — presentSan Diego, California, United States
  3. Tizona Therapeutics, Inc.Board Membercurrent2020 — presentSouth San Francisco, California, United States
  4. Orbus TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2020 — presentPalo Alto, California, United States
  5. SFJ Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Board Membercurrent2020 — presentPleasanton, California, United States
  6. Jasper TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2019 — presentRedwood City, California, United States
  7. CymaBay TherapeuticsBoard of Directors2009 — 2024Newark, California, United States
  8. VaxcyteChairman2015 — 2022San Carlos, California, United States
  9. Vera Therapeutics, Inc.Chairman2020 — 2022South San Francisco, California, United States
  10. Trishula Therapeutics, Inc.Board Member2020 — 2022South San Francisco, California, United States
  11. CRISPR TherapeuticsMember Board of Directors2015 — 2019Cambridge, MA
  12. Kesios TherapeuticsBoard Member2015 — 2017London Area, United Kingdom
  13. Cytos BiotechnologyBoard Member2012 — 2015Zurich Switzerland
  14. Aurinia PharmaceuticalsBoard Member2014 — 2015Victoria, BC
  15. venBio LLCFounding Partner2009 — 2015
  16. Somaxon PharmaceuticalsBoard of Directors2005 — 2013San Diego County, California, United States
  17. Facet BiotechBoard of Directors2009 — 2010
  18. MPM CapitalGeneral Partner / Portfolio Manager2000 — 2009
  19. Franklin Templeton InvestmentsVice President - Portfolio Management1989 — 2000

Skills & more

Biotechnology28Lifesciences10Venture Capital55Investments20Pharmaceutical Industry11Corporate Development11Strategy28Start-ups10Mergers & Acquisitions13Strategic Planning4Investor Relations4Oncology2
+12 moreEntrepreneurshipCompetitive AnalysisBusiness PlanningPrivate EquityTechnology TransferManagementCommercializationLicensingExecutive ManagementCross-functional Team LeadershipM&A experienceValuation
  • CFA

From Kurt's professional profile.

Deals · 2

VeratxBoard seat

via Abingworth · filed Feb 2021 · $70.7M raise

SUTROVAX, INC.Board seat

via Abingworth · filed Mar 2017 · $60.2M raise

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

Other disclosed investments

Board seats

AttenuaCymaBayIambicIambicJasperOrbusSFJ PharmaceuticalsTizona Therapeutics

Investor

AttenuaCRISPRIambicLaunch TherapeuticsVera Therapeutics

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

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
David Leathers
General Partner 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 and Board director at Veratx and Board director at Attenua.
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 Attenua, CymaBay, Iambic, Iambic, Jasper, Orbus, SFJ Pharmaceuticals, SUTROVAX, INC., Tizona Therapeutics, Veratx.
What companies has Kurt von Emster invested in?
Investments tracked here include Attenua, CRISPR, Iambic, Launch 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

Shared employers