A L T I T U D E
Life Science Ventures
"Altitude’s deep expertise in intellectual property strategy and investment diligence gives them a unique ability to add value to what is often the most valuable asset of biotech companies -- the intellectual property portfolio. I’ve benefitted greatly from long sessions with the Altitude team obsessing over portfolio and business strategy, claim construction, and patent prosecution, and the connection between our IP and our near- and long-term business objectives.”
Geoff von Maltzahn, General Partner Flagship Pioneering, CEO of Lila Sciences, Co-founder of Generate Medicines, Tessera Therapeutics and Sana Biotechnology
Investment Team
Dave Maki | Managing Partner
Kristen Wong | Partner
David (Dave) Maki has been associated with life science companies for the past 40 years. Prior to founding Altitude Life Science Ventures in 2004, Dave served as a partner with Perennial Ventures and previously as a vice president of Tredegar Investments, where he was responsible for the sourcing and management of investments in early-stage life science companies. From 1987 to 1999, Dave served as a partner at the intellectual property firm of Seed and Berry (now Seed IP Law), where he focused on strategic planning for healthcare companies, particularly in relation to R&D programs, competitive analysis, and corporate collaborations and licensing transactions. Under his leadership as senior partner in the biotechnology group, the firm built the client base to represent over 60 healthcare companies. During his career, Dave has served as a director for a diverse set of life sciences companies and has managed over 40 healthcare investments. Dave currently serves as a director on the board of Iris Medicine and Interdict Bio, and as an board observer at Tessera Therapeutics, Mozart Therapeutics, and Nutcracker Therapeutics, among others, and has previously served on the Board of Effector Therapeutics, Omniome and as Chairman of the Board of the Infectious Disease Research Institute.
Kristen focuses on investments directed toward the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, nanorobotics and minimally invasive medical devices, and has sourced and currently manages a series of related investments for Altitude. With over fifteen years of overall experience in life sciences, including nine years of experience in venture capital, she brings a deep understanding of both scientific innovation, research and development, and commercialization strategy. Prior to joining Altitude, Kristen held a series of roles at Bayer HealthCare, where she led high-level project management activities for the commercialization of two pipeline drugs. Her responsibilities included a priority initiative to identify and resolve issues in the commercial manufacturing process, and ensuring adherence to critical FDA submission timelines. Kristen holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, and both undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Biology from Stanford University. She is also a registered patent agent (USPTO Registration No. 79,212).