Polaris Partners promotes Bitterman to partner

Polaris Partners has promoted Kevin Bitterman to partner of the firm. Bitterman joined Polaris in 2004 and focuses on healthcare investing.

PRESS RELEASE

Polaris Partners today announced that Kevin Bitterman, PhD has been promoted
to Partner of the firm. Kevin joined Polaris in 2004 and focuses on healthcare investing. A co-founder of Sirtris
Pharmaceuticals (sold to Glaxo Smith Kline in 2008) and Genocea Biosciences (NASDAQ: GNCA), Kevin has been
intimately involved in the creation of a number of Polaris-backed companies including the 2013 formation of
Editas Medicine, where he currently serves as Interim CEO.
“For nearly a decade, Kevin has delivered incredible value to our partnership and our companies,” said Amir
Nashat, Polaris Managing Partner. “His passion for science, entrepreneurial spirit, and pragmatic approach to
company building has proven to be a tremendous asset for our portfolio. We are thrilled to recognize his
commitment with this promotion and we look forward to his continued contributions now as a Partner in the
firm.”
In addition to his interim role at Editas, Kevin currently represents Polaris on the boards of InSeal Medical,
Genocea Biosciences (NASDAQ: GNCA), Kala Pharmaceuticals, Neuronetics, Inc., Visterra, Inc., Taris Biomedical,
and Vets First Choice.
“Our collaboration with Kevin has been rooted in mutual respect and a shared passion for creating life-changing
medicines,” said Chip Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Genocea Biosciences. “He has served as an outstanding
partner to our company and we congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion.”
Prior to joining Polaris, Kevin completed his PhD in genetics at Harvard Medical School. His doctoral research
focused on the molecular regulation of caloric restriction and on modulation of a novel class of protein
deacetylases. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree, graduating with highest honors, from Rutgers University.
“Kevin’s elevation to Partner is a testament to his long term commitment and ongoing success, but it also
reflects the positive energy and momentum at our firm,” said Terry McGuire, Co-Founder of Polaris. “As a
Founding Partner, my ultimate goal is to successfully mentor the next generation of venture investors so that
our legacy of thoughtful investing continues well into the future. We are extremely proud of all that Kevin has
accomplished at Polaris and know that the best is yet to come.”
About Polaris Partners
Founded in 1996, Polaris Partners has more than $3.5 billion in capital under management invested into a
diverse portfolio of technology and healthcare companies throughout their lifecycles. From the earliest startup
phases through the growth stages, Polaris Partners takes minority and majority positions alongside outstanding
management teams to help grow industry leading companies. With offices in Boston, San Francisco and Dublin,
Polaris partners with an unparalleled network of repeat CEOs, entrepreneurs, top scientists and emerging
innovators who are positioned to make a significant impact in their fields and vastly improve the way in which
we all live and work. The result: Hundreds of growing companies, thousands of jobs generated, and billions of
dollars of value created.