Investment Philosophy
Access Biotechnology invests in transformative therapies for conditions with high unmet needs and that have the potential to meaningfully impact human health.
Our approach is characterized by the following:
Broad Scope
We invest in both private and public biopharma companies across therapeutic areas, modalities, and development stages – from discovery-stage technology platforms to late-stage clinical programs.
Long-Term Orientation
Free from the constraints of a typical venture fund cycle, we aim to support the growth of our portfolio companies and build our investments over the long haul.
Flexibility
We adapt our approach to the needs of individual opportunities, while continually adjusting to shifts in the external environment.
Technical Rigor
We leverage our medical and scientific backgrounds to evaluate opportunities deeply, thoughtfully, and efficiently.
Collaborative Style
We partner with founders, management, and fellow investors to build and grow companies that are developing important new medicines.
Emphasis on Fundamental Value Creation
We invest in people, data, and innovation, not momentum or hype. We believe that financial returns will parallel the value we create for patients, caregivers, and society.
Team

Liam Ratcliffe
Head of Biotechnology
Liam Ratcliffe joined Access in April 2019 as head of biotechnology. He was previously Managing Director at New Leaf Venture Partners, where he focused on investing in therapeutic and therapeutic platform companies for 10 years. Prior to joining New Leaf, Liam was Senior Vice President and Development Head for Neuroscience, as well as Worldwide Head of Clinical Research and Development at Pfizer, where he spent a total of 12 years. Liam received his medical degree and Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Cape Town and his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. He completed his internal medicine training and fellowship in Immunology at Groote Schuur Hospital and associated teaching hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa.

Dan Becker
Managing Director
Dan Becker joined Access Biotechnology in August 2019. Prior to Access, Dan was a Principal at New Leaf Venture Partners, where he played a key role in multiple private and public biopharma investments, and a Principal in the Health Care practice at the Boston Consulting Group, where he led projects across the health care sector with an emphasis on biopharma R&D. Dan trained clinically in internal medicine and nephrology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, and was a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. He obtained both his M.D. and Ph.D. (Cellular and Molecular Biology) degrees from the University of Michigan, and received his B.S. in Physiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Christine Borowski
Vice President
Christine Borowski joined Access Biotechnology as a Senior Associate in July 2019. Prior to that she worked on therapeutics company creation at Apple Tree Partners. Before becoming an investor, Christine worked as an editor at several high-impact scientific journals, most recently as Chief Editor of Nature Medicine. She earned a Ph.D. in Immunology at Harvard University, studying thymocyte development in the laboratory of Harald von Boehmer. Her postdoctoral work in the lab of Albert Bendelac at the University of Chicago focused on natural killer T cell development.
Portfolio Companies
















Exited Investments






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