Peter Barrett –

VCJ Fact Sheet for Peter Barrett

Born: October 12, 1952, in Boston.

Education: B.S. in Chemistry from University of Massachusetts, Lowell (1974); Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Northeastern University (1979); completed Harvard Business School’s Management Development Program (1986).

Career Path: Peter Barrett is a senior principal with Atlas Ventures. He started out in the atomic spectroscopy at Perkin-Elmer (now Applera Corp.) in 1979. Became its director of lab automation, new business initiatives in 1985. Promoted to vice president of its life sciences division in 1990 and led the company’s $200 million acquisition of Applied Biosystems in 1993. Co-founded Celera Genomics in 1998 and helped take public in 1999. Served as chief business officer and executive vice president from 1998 to 2001. Helped take public in May 1999. Joined Atlas Venture as a senior principal in January 2002.

Venture focus: Genomics and proteomics-based drug discovery technology.

Investments: HuBit Genomix and Genecore.

Biggest accomplishment: Launching Celera Genomics.

Biggest mistake: Made incorrect assumptions when Perkin-Elmer launched its lab automation business in 1985. The initiative folded in 1988.

Personal: Married with three children, will read “anything” by Tom Clancy, and his favorite flick is “Top Gun.

Did You Know? He came in third place in a downhill race with Perkin-Elmer’s European managers in 1989 on the slopes at Cortina, Italy.

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