John K. Clarke

John K. Clarke has a 30 year record of early-stage venture capital investment success. John co-founded Cardinal Partners in 1997 and currently serves as a Managing Partner of the firm. John leads Cardinal’s life sciences investment efforts and has had an extraordinary record of success.

Mr. Clarke led the firm’s investment in Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and Sirtris Pharmaceuticals. He also spearheaded Cardinal’s investment in and served as a director for: TechRx Corporation and Visicu. Mr. Clarke currently serves on the Board of Directors for Cardinal portfolio companies Abide Therapeutics, aTyr Pharma, Rib-X Pharmaceuticals (observer) and Verastem, as well as Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Momenta Pharmaceuticals.John entered the venture industry in 1982 with DSV Partners, a pioneer venture capital fund formed in 1968. Additionally, he led DSV’s health care and life sciences efforts, and was a co-founder and served as interim CEO of numerous successful companies including Alkermes, Arris Pharmaceuticals, DNX and Cubist Pharmaceuticals. As managing partner at DSV in that firm’s latter years, Mr. Clarke led the firm’s evolution into Cardinal Partners.

Mr. Clarke received his B.A. in Economics and Biology from Harvard University and his M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.