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…
About
The story so far.
David co-founded Averin with Eric with the goal of investing in GDP-defining opportunities with a focus on driving return for investors while bringing forth impactful innovations to society. He brings nearly two decades of investing, entrepreneurship, and company building experience to Averin.
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 in 2019 and served as its CEO through the end of 2023. 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
2025 - Present
Co-founded Averin to invest in GDP-defining opportunities at the intersection of technology, health, and sustainability.
Valo Health
Founder & CEO
2018 - 2024
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.
10 published on Averin Capital
Diagnostics Isn’t Broken. Our Model for Evaluating It Is
Investor sentiment has turned against diagnostics, but for the wrong reasons. Recent failures have hardened a lazy narrative that the category is…
Regulation, AI, and Geopolitics: Insights from Our Latest Fireside Chat
In a candid conversation with Peter Hutt, David Shulkin, and Daniel Troy, we cut through headline noise to find a clear pattern - despite few formal…
The FDA’s Shifting Regulatory Landscape
The FDA has shifted from a distant gatekeeper to an active force shaping how health-tech companies build, sell, and exit. Regulatory cycles are…
AI’s Leap in Healthcare and Biotech: Insights from Our Latest Fireside Chat
Averin’s David Berry hosts a conversation with leaders from XYME, AWS, and Bioptic to explore how AI is transforming drug discovery, data infrastructure,…
Alzheimer’s Disease — Why We May Be Entering a New Era of Drug Development
Advancements in trial design, disease hypothesis, therapeutic pathways and diagnostics give us hope that in the next 10-15 years, the life sciences…
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