Neil Exter
InvestorFounderBoard director at Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc. · Board director at Goldfinch BioPharma · Board director at Pliant Therapeutics
East Coast
Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M
About
Neil Exter is a retired partner at Third Rock Ventures, which he joined in 2007, where he concentrated on the formation, development and strategy of new companies. He brings more than 30 years of operating, business development and strategy experience spanning emerging and established biotechnology and technology companies. He trained as an electrical engineer, earning degrees from Cornell and Stanford before completing an MBA at Harvard Business School.
Beyond investing
- Education
- Earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. Earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
From Neil's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Board director at Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc.
Intro paths
In turn, Neil can intro founders to Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc.'s investors below.
Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc.'s investors · 2
Board director at Goldfinch BioPharma
Intro paths
In turn, Neil can intro founders to Goldfinch BioPharma's investors below.
Goldfinch BioPharma's investors · 1
Board director at Pliant Therapeutics
Intro paths
In turn, Neil can intro founders to Pliant Therapeutics's investors below.
Pliant Therapeutics's investors · 3
Co-founders at Pliant Therapeutics
Experience
- Third Rock VenturesRetired Partnercurrent2025 — present
- Third Rock VenturesPartner2007 — 2025
- Alantos PharmaceuticalsChief Business Officer2006 — 2007
- Millennium PharmaceuticalsVP Business Development2002 — 2006
- MacGregorEVP2000 — 2001
- Flexplay TechnologiesCEO1999 — 2000
- Wang LabsVP Business Development1992 — 1999
- Corporate DecisionsConsultant1991
- Stellar ComputerProject Leader1986 — 1990
- HPSales Development et al1979 — 1986
Education
- Harvard Business SchoolMBA1990 — 1992
- Stanford UniversityMS, Electrical Engineering1979 — 1981
- Cornell UniversityBS, Electrical Engineering1977 — 1979
- Francis LewisHS1971 — 1975
Deals · 7
Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc.Board seat
via Third Rock Ventures · filed Oct 2021 · $82.6M raise
Goldfinch BioPharmaBoard seat
via Third Rock Ventures · filed Jul 2020
Revolution MedicinesBoard seat
via Third Rock Ventures · filed Nov 2019 · $100.3M raise
Pliant TherapeuticsBoard seat
via Third Rock Ventures · filed Jul 2018 · $62.1M raise
Element ScienceBoard seat
via Third Rock Ventures · filed Aug 2016 · $25M raise
Rhythm PharmaceuticalsBoard seat
via Third Rock Ventures · filed Dec 2015 · $40M raise
CytomX TherapeuticsBoard seat
via Third Rock Ventures · filed Jan 2015 · $30M raise
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Other disclosed investments
Board seats
Decibel Therapeutics
Per SEC Form D filings.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Neil Exter?
- Neil Exter is a retired partner at Third Rock Ventures, which he joined in 2007, where he concentrated on the formation, development and strategy of new companies. He brings more than 30 years of operating, business development and strategy experience spanning emerging and established biotechnology and technology companies. He trained as an electrical engineer, earning degrees from Cornell and Stanford before completing an MBA at Harvard Business School.
- Where does Neil Exter work?
- Neil Exter is Board director at Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc. and Board director at Goldfinch BioPharma and Board director at Pliant Therapeutics.
- What check size does Neil Exter write?
- Neil Exter typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.
- What boards does Neil Exter sit on?
- Neil Exter holds tracked board seats at Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc., CytomX Therapeutics, Decibel Therapeutics, Element Science, Goldfinch BioPharma, Pliant Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.
- Where did Neil Exter go to school?
- Neil Exter studied at Harvard Business School (MBA); Stanford University (MS, Electrical Engineering); Cornell University (BS, Electrical Engineering).
Same school
Also attended Harvard Business School1,977
+ 1,971 more
Also attended Stanford University2,000
+ 1,994 more
Also attended Cornell University709
+ 703 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Third Rock Ventures78
+ 72 more
Also worked at Alantos Pharmaceuticals1
Also worked at Millennium Pharmaceuticals27
+ 21 more
Also worked at Wang Labs13
+ 7 more




































