Atlas Venture, a Cambridge, Mass.-based venture capital firm, has signed a multi-year partnership with Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Dublin, Ireland-based, publicly traded, biopharmaceutical company, to explore investment opportunities in start ups that are developing rare disease therapeutics.
The partnership will leverage Shire’s capabilities and knowledge in R&D of rare diseases and Atlas’ network and expertise in the formation and growth of young companies to identify strategic investments in businesses developing drugs for the treatment of rare genetic diseases.
Under the terms of the deal, professionals from both the firms will work closely together to advance the collaboration effort.
Founded in 1980, Atlas Venture has invested in over 350 early stage technology and life sciences businesses in more than 16 different countries.
Shire focuses on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, human genetic therapies, gastrointestinal diseases and regenerative medicine as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas through acquisitions.
FinSMEs
16/12/2011