Atlas Venture Names Jason Rhodes, Veteran Investor and President and CFO of Epizyme, As Partner on Life Sciences Investing Team

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Venture, an early stage venture capital firm investing in promising life sciences and technology innovation, today announced that Jason Rhodes, President and Chief Financial Officer of Epizyme (NASDAQ: EPZM), is joining the firm's life sciences investing team as a partner effective October 1, 2014.

At Atlas, Rhodes will work closely with the life sciences team to build groundbreaking companies. He brings an accomplished record in company creation, deal making and venture investing.

"This is an important and exciting time in the life sciences, with profound scientific discoveries being translated into meaningful clinical advances that will shape the way patients are treated for decades to come," said Rhodes. "Atlas has a unique and successful strategy for creating and realizing value for patients and investors that is made possible by strong relationships with leading scientists, entrepreneurs and the venture community. I am thrilled to be joining the Atlas team." 

Rhodes joined Epizyme in 2010 when it was a private, research-stage company. There, his leadership was instrumental as Epizyme built a proprietary product platform; advanced multiple programs into the clinic; realized more than $180 million in non-equity capital through partnerships with companies including Celgene, GSK and Esai; successfully raised $196 million through an IPO and a follow-on offering and achieved a market capitalization of approximately $1 billion. Rhodes also previously served as Vice President of Business Development at Alnylam, bringing in more than $200 million in non-equity funding through partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Prior to Alnylam, Rhodes was a founder and partner with Fidelity Biosciences, the life sciences venture capital arm of Fidelity Investments, where he led investments in therapeutics companies including Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, FoldRx (purchased by Pfizer), and Tetraphase.

"As both a seasoned executive and savvy venture investor, Jason brings a unique perspective to building great life sciences companies from scratch, which is reflected in his outstanding track record in value creation," said Jean-Francois Formela, an Atlas partner. In addition to Formela, Rhodes will be joining Peter Barrett, Bruce Booth and David Grayzel to round out the five-person life sciences partner team at Atlas. "We have tremendous respect for the passion and skill Jason brings to company creation—whether as an investor, an entrepreneur or an executive—and believe he embodies our values of 'great science, great companies and great returns.' We are incredibly excited to welcome him as a partner."

About Atlas Venture

Atlas Venture is an early stage venture capital firm that invests in promising entrepreneurs focusing on life sciences and technology innovation. Since inception in 1980, its partners have helped build over 350 companies. For more information, visit www.atlasventure.com.

SOURCE Atlas Venture