Julia Pian | Senior Associate
Atlas Venture
Julia is a senior associate at Atlas Venture where she focuses on investing in and building companies that develop novel therapies to improve patients’ lives. Julia serves as a board observer for nChroma Bio, Pheon Therapeutics, Renasant Bio, and a stealth newco. She was previously a board observer at Sionna Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SION). Prior to joining Atlas, she completed her residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center. Julia continues to practice medicine as a pediatric hospitalist at Boston Medical Center. Prior to joining Atlas, Julia completed her residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center. She continues to practice medicine as a pediatric hospitalist at Boston Medical Center. Julia also leads the Access Working Group of the N-of-1 Collaborative. She earned her AB in chemical and physical biology summa cum laude from Harvard College with a secondary field in English, her MD from Harvard Medical School, and her MBA from Harvard Business School with honors. A black-belt in taekwondo, Julia has won multiple World Championship titles and co-founded a martial arts school for kids. In her free time, she is a theater aficionado, Formula 1 fan, and amateur culinary enthusiast.
Appearances:
Pre-Conference Day - World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2026 @ 14:00
Venture Capital for Rare Disease; How To Secure Investment for Rare Disease Startups
This workshop will:
- Identify the key investment criteria VCs apply to rare-disease startups—including scientific rigor, platform potential, and clarity of clinical path
- Highlight what VCs view as strong commercial viability in rare disease, from market shaping to patient-access strategies.
- Provide insights on how startups can present compelling data, leadership readiness, and long-term value creation that align with investor expectations
Day 1 - World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2026 @ 13:30
Investor’s Judging Panel
This Investors Judging Panel brings together leading venture capitalists and strategic investors focused on rare disease innovation. After a series of rapid-fire startup pitches, the panel will evaluate each company’s scientific promise, commercial potential, and impact on patients. Their collective insight will determine the winner of this year’s Best Startup Award.
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