# Jared Rutter

**Type:** person
**Status:** Draft
**Confidence:** Medium
**Focus:** biochemistry, metabolomics, allosteric drug discovery, university commercialization, life sciences
**Location:** Salt Lake City, UT
**Updated:** 2026-06-19
**Hero:** https://picsum.photos/seed/jared-rutter-uofu-biochem-2026/800/600

## Summary

Jared Rutter is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah and co-founder of [Atavistik Bio](atavistik-bio.md), a clinical-stage biotechnology company commercializing allosteric drug discovery based on metabolite-protein interaction mapping. He co-founded Atavistik in 2021 alongside Ralph DeBerardinis (UT Southwestern). Rutter remains on the University of Utah faculty while the company has grown into a Cambridge, Massachusetts-headquartered operation with approximately $299M raised as of 2026.

## Impact

The Rutter lab developed MIDAS/AMPS — a technology for systematic readout of metabolite-protein interactions at proteome scale — which was published in *Science* in 2023. The platform provided the first evidence suggesting that metabolite regulation of proteins is far more widespread than previously appreciated, expanding the universe of potentially druggable allosteric sites.

Atavistik's lead programs target AKT1 and JAK2 mutations implicated in cancer and blood disorders. The IND-cleared ATV-1601 program for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia received FDA Fast Track designation in June 2026. If the platform translates clinically, the founding science from Utah will have contributed a new map of cellular allostery to drug discovery.

## What They Offer

Rutter's public profile is primarily that of a research scientist and academic entrepreneur: deep expertise in metabolite-protein biology, cofounded company leadership experience, and demonstrated ability to attract elite life-sciences investors to Utah-origin science. As a still-active faculty member, his laboratory continues to produce the science that Atavistik and future spinouts may draw on.

## What They Are Looking For

Not publicly stated. As a faculty entrepreneur, likely oriented toward high-quality research talent, graduate and postdoctoral fellows interested in metabolomics and structural biology, and collaborators who can advance clinical programs from Utah academic science.

## Proof of Work

- Co-developed MIDAS/AMPS metabolite-protein interaction platform (published *Science*, 2023)
- Co-founded Atavistik Bio (2021); company raised ~$299M through Series B including Column Group, Lux Capital, Regeneron Ventures, Nextech Invest
- ATV-1601 IND cleared; FDA Fast Track designation for HHT (June 2026)
- University of Utah Biochemistry faculty, with prior work on mitochondrial metabolism and cellular energy sensing

## Good Fits

Utah biotech founders and researchers working on metabolism, structural biology, or allosteric pharmacology who want a peer with experience turning academic biochemistry into venture-backed drug programs. Graduate students and postdocs interested in the interface of academic biochemistry and startup formation. Investors exploring Utah university spinouts in life sciences.

## Public Connection Path

Reachable via University of Utah Department of Biochemistry faculty page. Atavistik Bio's Cambridge headquarters is the operational contact for the company; the Utah connection is primarily academic.

## Evidence

- [Official Website: Atavistik Bio](atavistik-bio-official-website.md)

## See Also

- [Atavistik Bio](atavistik-bio.md)
- [Huntsman Cancer Institute](huntsman-cancer-institute.md)
- [Dave Bearss](dave-bearss.md)

## Open Questions

- Rutter's specific faculty role and publication record are not independently confirmed here; the University of Utah Biochemistry faculty page is the authoritative source.
- Whether Rutter maintains an active advisory or board role at Atavistik as the company has matured is not confirmed.
- MIDAS/AMPS publication details (journal, volume, DOI) should be verified before citing.