Bio
Dr. Mark Charles Fishman, M.D. — American cardiologist, pharmaceutical executive, and academic researcher. Yale College B.A. (1972). Harvard Medical School M.D. (1976). Member of the National Academy of Medicine. Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences [1][2][3].
Currently: Professor, Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. Chief of the Pathways Clinical Service at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Co-founder and Scientific Advisory Board Chair, Aditum Bio [1][2][4].
Previously: Founding President, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), 2002–2016. During 14-year tenure, NIBR discovered and brought through successful clinical trials 90 new medicines in more than 120 indications [1][2][3]. Before Novartis: Chief of Cardiology and founding Director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at MGH. Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School [1][2].
Research: Pioneered use of zebrafish as genetic model organism for cardiovascular development. Over 100 publications. Current research focuses on heart-brain axis and genetics of social behavior in vertebrates [1][2][3].
Career Timeline
1972 — B.A., Yale College [3] 1976 — M.D., Harvard Medical School [3] 1976–~2001 — Residency, Chief Residency, Cardiology Fellowship at MGH. Rose to Chief of Cardiology and founding Director of Cardiovascular Research Center at MGH. Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Built zebrafish genetics program [1][2][3]. 2002–2016 — Founding President, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). Appointed by then-Novartis Chairman/CEO to “devise and implement a new global strategy for Novartis’ drug discovery effort.” Moved NIBR HQ to Cambridge, MA (plus nine global sites). 90 new medicines, 120+ indications [1][2][3][5]. 2016 — Returned to Harvard. Joined Semma Therapeutics board as Chairman (later acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals for $950M in 2019) [5]. 2018–present — Lead Independent Director, Beam Therapeutics (Nasdaq: BEAM). Base-editing gene therapy company [4][6]. ~2019–present — Co-founded Aditum Bio with Joe Jimenez (former Novartis CEO). Biotech venture capital firm focused on translating scientific discoveries into medicines. Oakland, CA. 12 investments, 3 funds [4][7]. June 2020 — Collaborated with Sam Altman and TrialSpark (Benjamine Liu, CEO) on Project Covalence — COVID-19 clinical trial platform. OpenResearch funded first cohort of studies [8][9][10]. Current boards — Beam Therapeutics (Lead Independent Director), Skyline Therapeutics, EmbarkNeuro Bio, Versanis Bio, Teres Bio, Anteris Bio. Trustee Emeritus, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [1][4][6].
Connection to Sam Altman / OpenResearch
Project Covalence (launched June 16, 2020) — a “turnkey trial platform that enables investigators and sponsors to rapidly launch clinical trials for COVID-19.” Three-way collaboration: Sam Altman + Dr. Mark Fishman + TrialSpark [8][9].
OpenResearch funded the first cohort of studies through Project Covalence. This is the same nonprofit (Open Research Lab Inc, EIN 81-0861414) where Chris Clark serves as COO and Sam Altman serves as Director [8][9][10].
Altman quote (PR Newswire, June 16, 2020): “I’m excited to lead this effort with Mark Fishman and the TrialSpark team because it will increase the quantity and quality of therapeutics and vaccines and help turn the tide on this pandemic” [8].
Altman’s blog (samaltman.com): “The goal of this project, in collaboration with TrialSpark and Dr. Mark Fishman, is to offer much better clinical trial support to COVID-19 projects than anything that currently exists” [10].
Dr. Michael Mina study (Harvard T.H. Chan School): First 500 patients enrolled within 10 days using the Covalence platform. “Funding support from Sam Altman and Open Research” [11].
TechCrunch context (Feb 2023): By 2020, “OpenResearch had largely abandoned its work on user interfaces and virtual reality. Aside from its one-off grant to TrialSpark, OpenResearch’s attention and funds would now be dedicated to UBI research” [12]. This means Project Covalence was a transitional use of OpenResearch funds — nonprofit money flowing to a for-profit clinical trial company before the entity pivoted entirely to UBI.
Aditum Bio — The Novartis-to-VC Pipeline
Aditum Bio (Oakland, CA) — Co-founded by Fishman and Joe Jimenez (former Novartis CEO, 2010–2018). Both served in Novartis senior leadership simultaneously (Fishman 2002–2016, Jimenez 2010–2018, overlapping ~6 years) [4][7].
Structure: Biotech venture capital. “Formation and management of companies that develop therapies for patient populations.” 12 investments across 3 funds [7].
Notable co-investors in Aditum portfolio companies:
- 8VC (Joe Lonsdale — Palantir co-founder, Thiel network) — co-investor in Tempero Bio Series B, March 2025 [7]
- Khosla Ventures (Vinod Khosla — investigation profile subject) — co-investor in Tempero Bio Series B, March 2025 [7]
Investigation significance: Fishman’s Aditum Bio creates a bridge between the Novartis pharmaceutical establishment and the Thiel/Altman venture capital network. The co-investment with 8VC and Khosla in Tempero Bio places Fishman one degree from both Lonsdale (Thiel orbit) and Khosla (investigation subject).
Key Relationships
Sam Altman — Project Covalence collaborator (2020). Altman provided funding through OpenResearch. Fishman provided scientific credibility and trial design expertise. Altman’s blog describes collaboration as peer-level [8][10].
Joe Jimenez — Former Novartis CEO. Co-founded Aditum Bio with Fishman. Both left Novartis senior leadership and created a VC firm that translates pharma R&D connections into startup investments [4][7].
Benjamine Liu — Co-founder and CEO of TrialSpark. Operated the technical platform for Project Covalence. TrialSpark is the for-profit entity that received OpenResearch nonprofit funding [8][9].
Dr. Michael Mina — Harvard epidemiologist. Ran the first major Covalence study (COVID-19 serological surveillance). “Funding support from Sam Altman and Open Research” [11].
Chris Clark — No direct documented relationship, but Clark is COO of OpenResearch, the entity that funded Project Covalence. Clark’s Form 990 certification covers the TrialSpark grant [12].
Douglas Melton — Harvard colleague. Co-founded Semma Therapeutics (Fishman joined as board chairman). Melton and Fishman co-created Harvard Masters program in Biotechnology of Life Sciences [1][5].
Flow Map
1 → Scientific credibility as legitimation mechanism. Fishman is not a tech investor or a startup founder. He is a National Academy of Medicine member, a Harvard professor, and a former head of global pharma R&D. His participation in Project Covalence gave Altman’s COVID response effort instant institutional credibility that Altman’s tech credentials alone could not provide.
2 → Nonprofit-to-for-profit funding conduit. OpenResearch (nonprofit) funded TrialSpark (for-profit) through Project Covalence. This is the same pattern documented across the Altman nonprofit triangle: nonprofit funds flowing to commercial entities controlled by or associated with Altman’s network.
3 → Novartis-to-Silicon Valley bridge. Fishman + Jimenez built Aditum Bio as a direct pipeline from Novartis institutional knowledge into VC-funded biotech startups. The co-investment with 8VC (Lonsdale/Thiel orbit) and Khosla Ventures in Tempero Bio places Fishman in the network graph connecting pharma to the Thiel/Altman investment ecosystem.
Nodes of Interest
🔴 NODE — PROJECT COVALENCE NONPROFIT CONDUIT [CONFIRMED]: OpenResearch (nonprofit, Clark COO, Altman Director) funded TrialSpark (for-profit) through Project Covalence. Nonprofit assets used to fund a commercial clinical trial platform [8][9][12].
🔴 NODE — SCIENTIFIC LEGITIMATION [CONFIRMED]: National Academy member, Harvard professor, and former head of world’s largest pharma R&D operation lent institutional credibility to Altman’s COVID initiative. This is the credibility-lending pattern: Altman acquires association with establishment figures whose reputations validate his ventures [8][10].
🔴 NODE — ADITUM-8VC-KHOSLA CONVERGENCE [CONFIRMED]: Fishman’s Aditum Bio co-invested with Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC and Vinod Khosla’s Khosla Ventures in Tempero Bio (March 2025). Places Fishman one degree from Palantir co-founder (Thiel network) and Khosla (investigation subject) [7].
🔴 NODE — NOVARTIS LEADERSHIP PIPELINE [CONFIRMED]: Fishman (Founding President NIBR, 2002–2016) and Jimenez (CEO, 2010–2018) both left Novartis senior leadership and created Aditum Bio together. 14 years of pharma R&D institutional knowledge converted to VC deal flow [4][7].
🔴 NODE — TRIALSPARK GRANT TIMING [CONFIRMED]: TechCrunch reports OpenResearch “largely abandoned” its original research by 2020. The TrialSpark grant was a “one-off” before pivot to UBI. Transitional use of nonprofit funds during entity’s strategic redirection [12].
🔴 NODE — COVID AS NETWORK FORMATION EVENT [SUPPORTED CONJECTURE]: Project Covalence (June 2020) established a direct working relationship between Altman and one of the most connected figures in global pharmaceutical R&D. Whether this relationship extended beyond COVID into other Altman ventures is OPEN.
Questions for Reporters
- What was the total dollar amount of the OpenResearch grant to TrialSpark for Project Covalence? The Form 990 should show this as a grant expenditure.
- Did Fishman invest personally in any Altman-affiliated entities (OpenAI, Helion, Oklo, Worldcoin) before or after Project Covalence?
- Has Aditum Bio or any Aditum portfolio company received investment from OpenAI, Altman personally, or any Altman-affiliated fund?
- What was the outcome of the Project Covalence studies? How many trials were actually launched, completed, and published?
- Does Fishman have any ongoing advisory or consulting relationship with Altman, OpenAI, or OpenResearch beyond the 2020 Project Covalence collaboration?
Citations
[1] Harvard Stem Cell Institute — Mark C. Fishman profile | Live: https://www.hsci.harvard.edu/people/mark-fishman [2] Harvard HSCRB — Mark C. Fishman faculty page | Live: https://hscrb.harvard.edu/people/mark-fishman/ [3] Wikipedia — Mark Fishman | Live: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fishman [4] MarketScreener — Mark Fishman positions and relations | Live: https://www.marketscreener.com/insider/MARK-FISHMAN-A05TOP/ [5] BioSpace — “Semma Therapeutics Announces Mark Fishman Has Joined Board as Chairman,” Nov 7, 2016 | Live: https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/semma-therapeutics-announces-b-mark-fishman-m-d-b-has-joined-its-board-of-directors-as-chairman-/ [6] American Academy of Arts and Sciences — Mark Charles Fishman | Live: https://www.amacad.org/person/mark-charles-fishman [7] CB Insights — Aditum Bio investments | Live: https://www.cbinsights.com/investor/aditum-bio [8] PR Newswire — “TrialSpark announces launch of Project Covalence,” June 16, 2020 | Live: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trialspark-announces-launch-of-project-covalence-a-clinical-trial-platform-to-rapidly-test-drugs-and-diagnostics-for-covid-19-301077065.html [9] Project Covalence — official site | Live: https://projectcovalence.com [10] Sam Altman blog — “Project Covalence” | Live: https://blog.samaltman.com/project-covalence [11] PR Newswire — “Dr. Michael Mina… first 500 patients,” July 21, 2020 | Live: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-michael-mina-of-the-harvard-th-chan-school-of-public-health-supported-by-trialspark-announces-enrollment-of-first-500-patients-of-a-covid-19-serological-surveillance-study-301096741.html [12] TechCrunch — “The nonprofits accelerating Sam Altman’s AI vision,” Feb 21, 2023 | Live: https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/21/the-non-profits-accelerating-sam-altmans-ai-vision/