Polaris Partners, an investment firm with a long history of partnering with repeat entrepreneurs and world-class innovators, is pleased to announce Dr. Isaac Ciechanover has joined the firm as a partner and will be based in San Francisco.
“Isaac is an excellent addition to the firm,” said Polaris Managing Partner Amy Schulman. “We have had the pleasure of working with Isaac at various points. We are excited to have him join us and bring his energy and keen eye for strong science and talent.”
Before joining Polaris, Dr. Ciechanover was president and chief executive officer of Atara Biotherapeutics, an off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy company. He founded Atara in 2012 in honor of his mother, who passed away from cancer, while a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Earlier in his career, he held business development roles at Celgene and Amylin. He took his first role in venture capital at Pequot Ventures in New York, after receiving his M.B.A. from Harvard University. Dr. Ciechanover previously received his master’s in epidemiology at Cambridge University and his M.D. from Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
“I am excited to be joining Polaris Partners and its long history of driving innovation,” said Dr. Ciechanover. “Through its investments and partnership with entrepreneurs, they have changed the practice of medicine and positively impacted society.”
“We look forward to having Isaac in San Francisco to evaluate the exciting life sciences opportunities on the West Coast,” said Managing Partner Brian Chee, based in San Francisco.
Dr. Ciechanover joins a growing investment team at Polaris, who this year added senior associates across its three locations: Alexandra Cantley (New York), Chris Pacheco (Boston), and Marissa Bertorelli (San Francisco).
About Polaris Partners
Polaris Partners has a 20-plus-year history of partnering with repeat entrepreneurs and world-class innovators who are improving the way we live and work. The multibillion-dollar firm manages specialty and diversified funds in healthcare and technology with investments across all stages. Polaris has offices in Boston, San Francisco, and New York. Learn more at polarispartners.com.
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