Kevin Kimberlin

In 1982, Kimberlin invested in Millicom, a startup selected by the Federal Communications Commission to demonstrate the feasibility of cellular telephony.[1][2][3] As advisor to the CEO, he structured the first equity financing for Millicom, which started the Racal–Millicom joint venture —subsequently renamed Vodafone Group plc.[4]

Kimberlin co-founded Ciena Corporation with Optelecom and David R. Huber to commercialize the first dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) system,[5][6][7] powered by Ciena’s patented dual-stage optical amplifier.[8] As the common basis of all high-capacity fiber communications networks around the world,[9] WDM contributed to growth of the Internet and serves as its foundation today.[10][11]

Prior to its public offering, Kimberlin was the sole general partner of Next Level Communications, a broadband access company, 20% owned by Kimberlin LLC and 80% owned by General Instrument Corporation.[12] Kimberlin took Next Level through its IPO, achieving a market capitalization of $17 billion before it was acquired by Motorola in 2002.[13]

In 1986, Kimberlin co-founded the Immune Response Corporation with Jonas Salk.[14] The Immune Response Corporation patented the basis of the first FDA approved cancer vaccine, and has contributed to developments in the field of immunotherapy.[15]

He then co-founded Myriad Genetics, the first human genome company, with Nobel Prize winner Dr. Walter Gilbert, Peter Meldrum, and Dr. Mark Skolnick, the scientist who, with several colleagues, devised the gene-mapping technique that catalyzed the Human Genome Project.[16] Myriad Genetics received international acclaim by discovering the breast cancer gene, BRCA1.[17]

Osiris Therapeutics, also co-founded by Kevin Kimberlin, patented and developed the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). As of June 2020, a search of MSC in ClinicalTrials.gov turned up 1,116 clinical trials registered to treat 928 different medical conditions. Using the MSC as a drug, Osiris received the world's first regulatory approval for a stem cell-based therapy.[18]

Kimberlin helped launch Health Dialog based on the research of John Wennberg whose clinical studies precipitated[19][20] the Affordable Care Act.[21] Health Dialog provided $130 million in support of Wennberg’s efforts to put patients in charge of their medical decisions.[22] Health Dialog was recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America.[23]

Kimberlin supported Robert Langer in two of the three ventures he discusses in his biography. He was a founding shareholder in Langer's first company, Enzytech which later merged to form Alkermes,[24] and the third largest shareholder in his InVivo Therapeutics.[25]

Kimberlin's philanthropic activities in environmental science, education, and creativity include the Audubon Society, Harvard University and Yaddo, which Kimberlin serves as a lifetime honorary director for.[26]

In 2014, Kimberlin was reported as one of a number of "prominent investors [who] have taken to Transcendental Meditation".[27] He received his Bachelor of Sciences degree from Indiana University and his master's degree from Harvard University.

• Spencer Trask & Co.