Our Mission
Translating the biology of regulatory T cells (Tregs) into transformational medicines for patients with progressive multiple sclerosis and other serious autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
Who We Are
Abata was launched in 2021 by Third Rock Ventures with a $95 million Series A financing and brings together industry experts and deeply engaged pioneers in regulatory T cell (Treg) biology, T cell receptor (TCR) and antigen discovery, disease pathogenesis, and molecular and imaging biomarkers to advance the development of Treg cell therapies for serious autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Together, we are bringing an entirely new approach to the treatment of autoimmune disease by engineering Tregs as targeted therapies that stop immune-mediated destruction, restore homeostasis – a state of harmony – and promote repair in the affected tissues.
It’s all in the name
Abata’s story begins with our name.
In Nyanja, a Bantu language widely spoken in southern Africa, “abata” means “tranquil,” and “ndi malo abata” translates to “it’s a quiet place.” In Esperanto, “abata” means “of an abbey,” a place of peace. “Abata” is the very essence of what our Treg cell therapies seek to do: restore tranquility, peace and harmony in the body.
Full Team
Founders or Advisors
Daniel Reich, M.D., Ph.D.
Scientific Advisor
Senior Investigator, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke At the National Institutes of Health; Adjunct Professor of Radiology, Neurology and Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University
Diane Mathis, Ph.D.
Professor of Immunology, Morton Grove-Rasmussen chair of immunohematology, Harvard Medical School
John Maraganore, Ph.D
Business Advisor
Former founding CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Michael Birnbaum, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT
Richard M. Ransohoff, M.D.
Venture Partner, Third Rock Ventures
Roland Martin, M.D.
Professor of Neurology and Neuroimmunology; University Hospital of Zürich
Board of Directors
Abbie Celniker, Ph.D.
Chair; Partner, Third Rock Ventures
David Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D.
Partner, Third Rock Ventures
Lorence Kim, M.D.
Co-founder and Managing Partner, Ascenta Capital
Mitchell H. Finer, Ph.D.
Executive Partner, MPM Capital; President of R&D, ElevateBio; CEO, Life Edit Therapeutics
Nagesh Mahanthappa, Ph.D., MBA
Independent Director at Abata Therapeutics, Casma Therapeutics, Exo Therapeutics, and Kojin Therapeutics
Samantha Singer, MBA
President & Chief Executive Officer
Shelley Chu, M.D., Ph.D.
Partner, Head of Biotech, Lightspeed Venture Partners
Valerie Odegard, Ph.D.
Independent Director; Chief Executive Officer, Dovetail Therapeutics and Venture Partner, Orbimed
Investors
Careers with Abata
Join Our Team
If you’re ready to take a bold step in your career and challenge convention, this is your team!