Tessera Therapeutics, a Boston-area startup attempting to revolutionize the technology used to edit DNA and RNA, has hired Cynthia Patton, a 20-year veteran of law in the biotech space, as general counsel and secretary.

The company, founded just five years ago, already has attracted more than $532 million in funding, drawn by its technology and the pedigree of its leadership team, including CEO Michael Severino, a former vice chairman and president of AbbVie.