Section 32 Names Steven J. Kafka, Ph.D., as Managing Partner

Firm to Deepen Presence in Greater Boston Area to Focus on Technology and Life Sciences Investments

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Section 32, a venture capital fund investing at the frontiers of technology, healthcare and life sciences, announced today the appointment of Steven J. Kafka, Ph.D., as a managing partner. Steve will focus on supporting and expanding the firm’s investment portfolio and presence in Boston.

“Steve recognizes the revolutionary potential of the convergence of technology and healthcare, and its power to positively impact patients,” said Bill Maris, Founder of Section 32. “We are building a team of individuals who have worked together for years or decades to better support our efforts, and Steve adds to that tradition. He is highly credentialed, smart, compassionate, fun and engaging. We are thrilled to have him join us at such a transformative time for Section 32.”

“Steve has a deep understanding of diagnostics, therapeutics and the technologies that underlie healthcare, and this intersection is an important part of our focus at Section 32,” said Michael Pellini, M.D., Managing Partner at Section 32. “He is a proven company builder, with multi-decade relationships in Boston and the broader life science communities, which will benefit our team as we build our fund and partnership. His presence will add another tremendous resource for our portfolio companies to access, and I am personally very excited to partner with Steve again.”

Steve brings more than 20 years of experience in drug discovery, development and commercialization, and in molecular diagnostics, focusing on the formation and growth of companies that develop life-changing personalized medicine approaches for patients. He currently serves as executive chairman at Thrive Earlier Detection Corp., and at ArcherDX, and will continue operating in those roles.

Steve joins Section 32 from Third Rock Ventures, where he operated as both a partner and venture partner and helped lead the creation and launch of Thrive Earlier Detection. Previously, Steve was president and chief operating officer at Foundation Medicine Inc., where he helped lead the company’s growth including its initial public offering, collaboration with Roche, and rapid expansion of its operational activities. Before joining Foundation Medicine, Steve held leadership positions at Aileron Therapeutics, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Strategic Decisions Group and Forrester Research. He received his Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard University and holds an A.B. in economics and political science from Stanford.

“I am honored to join the amazing team at Section 32, and to expand our collective efforts to support innovation at the nexus of technology and healthcare,” said Steve. “I am incredibly grateful to Third Rock for the opportunity to work with their team and look forward to continuing a collaborative relationship with the firm. It will be great to work directly with Mike again, and I am excited to join the whole Section 32 team to expand our footprint in life sciences and to deepen our connections with the Boston innovation ecosystem.”

About Section 32

Section 32 is a venture capital fund investing at the frontiers of technology, healthcare and life sciences.

The fund’s partners have been founders, operators and investors in companies that have challenged the status quo, enhanced the human experience, and improved human health globally.

The team has led or managed investments in over 400 companies, resulting in 100+ mergers and acquisitions, 20+ IPOs and 40+ companies that have exceeded $1B valuations.

Recent investments are clustered around biotechnology, therapeutics, advanced diagnostics, software, cybersecurity, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

The fund backs curious and determined scientists, engineers, and designers who are tackling seemingly impossible-to-solve problems with a clear view on how the world should or will work.

Section 32 is based in California and invests across all stages of growth, primarily in US-based companies.

Contacts

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