Eric Trac is a distinguished leader in the healthcare investment and biopharmaceutical industry, leveraging a unique blend of medical expertise and financial acumen to drive transformative growth in the sector. With a background spanning medicine, venture capital, and shareholder activism, he has played a pivotal role in identifying and advancing groundbreaking investments in biotechnology and life sciences. His strategic insight, coupled with a deep understanding of both clinical innovation and market dynamics, positions him at the forefront of value creation in healthcare investments.
Currently serving as a Senior Analyst & Director at Sarissa Capital Management LP, a premier healthcare-focused investment firm managing over $1 billion in assets, Trac works directly with renowned industry leaders, including Chief Investment Officer Alex Denner and Senior Managing Director Odysseas Kostas. His role encompasses leading activist investment strategies, evaluating public and private market opportunities, and serving as a board director at Lyndra Therapeutics. He has been instrumental in executing high-impact transactions, including investments in Neurocrine, Cytokinetics, and Lantheus, as well as venture-backed financings such as Attralus’ $116 million Series B. His shareholder activism experience includes engagements with Amarin and Alkermes, where he has played a key role in influencing corporate strategy to unlock shareholder value.
Prior to his tenure at Sarissa, Trac was an Associate at Vida Ventures, a venture capital firm managing over $1 billion in healthcare investments. At Vida, he contributed to high-profile transactions, including AskBio’s $4 billion acquisition by Bayer, Centessa Pharmaceuticals’ $250 million Series A financing, and ReCode Therapeutics’ $80 million Series A. His work extended to board observer roles, market analysis, and due diligence on more than 30 prospective investments across the biotech ecosystem. Earlier in his career, he was a Summer Associate at Vivo Capital, a global healthcare investment firm with over $5 billion in assets, where he supported deal teams evaluating innovative biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Beyond investing, Trac has an extensive background in medical research and innovation. As an HHMI Medical Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Department of Bioengineering, he investigated phage therapy as a potential alternative to antibiotics, presenting his findings at international scientific conferences. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on as a Cofounder of Wickit Medical, a medical device startup focused on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. The company’s pioneering device earned recognition as a top-10 healthcare startup in the OneStart $150K competition, a prestigious national competition for biomedical startups. His research work also includes contributions as an Undergraduate Researcher at MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, where he studied the biomedical applications of polyethylene glycol hydrogels, culminating in a coauthored publication and multiple research presentations.
Trac’s academic credentials reflect his unwavering commitment to excellence. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Stanford University’s School of Medicine and an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, where he was selected as one of 70 Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Fellowship recipients nationwide. His academic journey began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he graduated in the top 8% with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical-Biological Engineering, earning induction into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi honor societies. During his final year at MIT, he was one of 10 students featured on the university’s homepage and recognized by Business Insider as one of “The 14 Most Impressive Students at MIT.”
With a rare combination of scientific expertise, business leadership, and investment acumen, Eric Trac continues to shape the future of healthcare innovation. His ability to bridge the gap between science and finance enables him to identify transformative opportunities, accelerate medical advancements, and drive meaningful impact across the global healthcare landscape.
Character
Eric Trac is a driven and principled leader whose dedication to healthcare innovation and investment is guided by a strong ethical foundation and an unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Knowledge
With an extensive background in medicine, biotechnology, and finance, Eric Trac possesses a rare combination of scientific expertise and business acumen that allows him to navigate the complexities of healthcare investments with precision and insight.
Strategic
Eric Trac excels in identifying high-impact opportunities, leveraging his experience in venture capital and activist investing to drive transformative growth, maximize shareholder value, and influence corporate strategy in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Communication
A persuasive and articulate communicator, Eric Trac effectively bridges the gap between science and finance, engaging with key stakeholders, investors, and corporate leaders to advance healthcare innovation and execute strategic initiatives.
