Polaris Partners, an investment firm with a long history of partnering with repeat entrepreneurs and world-class innovators, is pleased to announce Darren Carroll has joined the firm after completing a 22-year tenure with Eli Lilly and Company. Carroll will be based in Polaris’ Boston office.
“Throughout his prolific career, Darren has made a lasting impact on the biopharma industry and on patients,” said Amir Nashat, Polaris Managing Partner in Boston. “We have had the pleasure of working with Darren as he led Lilly’s venture capital arms and are delighted to have his perspective and experience on the team.”
Carroll’s work at Lilly spanned venture capital investing, company creation, licensing, divestitures, and acquisitions. He rose to the position of senior vice president of corporate business development, where he led deals that have collectively resulted in 10 medicines on the market today. He also oversaw the two largest transactions in the pharmaceutical company’s 145-year history: the $8.1 billion acquisition of Loxo Oncology and the divestiture of animal health company Elanco.
Carroll led Lilly’s venture capital work through Lilly Ventures and Lilly Asia Ventures, a group he formed. He is well versed in the experience of biotech CEOs, through his service as founding CEO of InnoCentive, a Lilly spinout, and as a board member of nine private biotech companies, such as Citic Pharmaceuticals.
“I am very excited to join the Polaris Partners team, which I have partnered with for over a decade,” said Carroll. “This opportunity will allow me to leverage my experience with dozens of biotech and technology firms in every aspect of strategy, from company formation through IPO and sale.”
About Polaris Partners
Polaris Partners has a 20-plus-year history of partnering with repeat entrepreneurs and world-class innovators who are improving the way we live and work. The multibillion-dollar firm manages specialty and diversified funds in healthcare and technology with investments across all stages. Polaris has offices in Boston, San Francisco, and New York. Learn more at polarispartners.com.
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