David Witzke

David Witzke, Ph.D., is the co-founder and co-managing partner of Avidity Partners, a $4 Billion biotechnology-focussed investment fund. He was previously a portfolio manager at Surveyor Capital, a subsidiary of Citadel, from 2009-2018. During this period, he managed the largest (> $2 billion) and most profitable healthcare focused investment portfolio at the firm. Previously, Witzke was a principal and senior biotechnology analyst in the Equity Research Department at Banc of America Securities LLC, where he covered the biotechnology industry. In 2005 and 2006 Witzke was highlighted in The Wall Street Journal’s annual “Best on the Street” survey for his stock picks. Previously, Witzke was a senior biotechnology equity research analyst where in the last two decades he held positions at Suntrust Robinson Humphrey, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse First Boston and Salomon Smith Barney. Witzke also worked at Cargill Inc. from 1993 until 1998 as a senior research engineer and mathematical modeling specialist in its Biotechnology division. Witzke earned both a Doctorate degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School. He has authored scientific journal publications regarding the mathematical modeling of bioprocesses and is the co-inventor of over ten industrial biotechnology manufacturing patents. Witzke has been an invited speaker at numerous biotechnology conferences including giving the “State of the Biotech Industry” address at the annual BIO-HR conference.