Accelerating the Speed of Discovery
What does it take to accelerate drug discovery without losing the scientific judgment that makes better medicines possible? I sit down with Andy Plump,…
About
The story so far.
David Berry is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Averin Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on AI and breakthrough technologies transforming human health, including areas such as quantum computing and robotics. A physician, scientist, entrepreneur, and investor, he brings scientific and medical expertise together with experience building and leading companies.
Prior to Averin, David served as a General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, which he joined in 2005 and was named partner in 2008. Some of David's most notable companies include Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), Indigo Agriculture (#1 on the CNBC disruptor list in 2019), and Inari Agriculture (fastest unicorn in agriculture). He founded approximately 30 companies including 7 unicorns (1 decacorn). He served as CEO of over 10 companies.
David founded Valo Health and served as its CEO. At Valo, David raised over $500M and closed a $5.1B deal with Novo Nordisk. Valo went from a standing start to unicorn status in 15 months. Valo uses artificial intelligence and large-scale human data to transform the discovery and development of life-changing medicines.
As a leading innovator, David has received over 50 awards and honors including being selected as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, named to the PharmaVOICE 100 most inspiring people, and named one of 12 Innovators Reshaping Reality by the US State Department. He is one of four recipients of all major Technology Review innovation awards along with Mark Zuckerberg, Sergei Brin, and Larry Page.
David received his MD from Harvard Medical School and his PhD from MIT in Biological Engineering, completing both degrees through the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Division in just over 5 years—the fastest in the modern history of the program.
David has given over 500 invited keynote presentations on innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and medicine. He has 16 peer-reviewed publications and holds over 200 patents and applications.
David lives in Boston with his wife and two daughters.
Career
Two decades
building what's next.
Averin Capital
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
2024 - Present
Co-founded Averin to back and build companies using AI and breakthrough technologies, including quantum computing and robotics, to transform human health, drawing on scientific, medical, investing, and operating experience.
Valo Health
Founder & CEO
Founded Valo Health and raised over $500M. Closed a $5.1B deal with Novo Nordisk. Reached unicorn status in 15 months. Harnessed AI and human data to transform drug discovery and development.
Flagship Pioneering
General Partner
2005 - 2024
Founded approximately 30 companies including 7 unicorns (1 decacorn). Notable companies include Moderna, Seres Therapeutics, Indigo Agriculture, and Inari Agriculture. Built the energy practice, agriculture practice, and co-launched Venture Labs.
Insights
Selected writing.
Essays and analysis on the frontier of health, technology, and investing.
15 published on Averin Capital
The Case for Drug Abundance
What if the cost of developing a medicine no longer determined which diseases get treated? The Case for Drug Abundance explores how advances in AI, human…
Betting on Breakthrough Biology
How do you spot the next big idea in biotech before everyone else does? I sit down with Christian Schubert, Vice President and Global Head of AbbVie…
Before Disease Decides
What if diagnostics could tell us not just what disease a patient has, but what is beginning to happen next? I sit down with QIAGEN CEO Thierry Bernard…
Welcoming Dr. Mikael Dolsten to the Averin Advisory Board
We are excited to announce that Dr. Mikael Dolsten has joined Averin Capital as an advisor. A physician-scientist and biotechnology leader with more than…
The Surgeon Is Still the System
The next era of surgery will not be defined by robots alone, but by integrated systems of AI, visualization, and precision tools that expand what surgeons…
Education
Academic Background
Harvard Medical School
MD, Medicine
2000 - 2006
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
PhD, Biological Engineering
2002 - 2005
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
BS, Brain and Cognitive Sciences
1996 - 2000
Honors
Recognition
Young Global Leader
World Economic Forum
PharmaVOICE 100 Most Inspiring People
PharmaVOICE
13 consecutive years
Bioeconomy 500 Outstanding Leader
Bioeconomy 500
12 Innovators Reshaping Reality
US State Department
Innovator of the Year (TR35)
MIT Technology Review
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award
US EPA
Leadership
Board & Advisory
United Nations SDSN
Leadership Council Member (Emeritus)
2012 - Present
Hackley School
Trustee & Advisory Member
2010 - Present
Boston Philharmonic Orchestra
Board Member
2010 - 2014
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Corporation Member
2006 - 2011
Research
Publications
16 peer-reviewed publications including 2 single-author articles