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David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc

Physician-Scientist @ UPenn | National Bestselling Author, Chasing My Cure | Co-Founder @ Every Cure & CDCN

David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, is a distinguished physician-scientist and a tenured professor at the University of Pennsylvania, known for his groundbreaking work in medical research and treatment.

Dr. Fajgenbaum is the national bestselling author of 'Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope Into Action' and is recognized for his co-founding roles in the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network and Every Cure.

Having discovered a life-saving treatment during his medical school years, Dr. Fajgenbaum has since identified 15 additional repurposed treatments through his Center at Penn, striving to unlock the potential of existing medicines for various ailments.

Beyond his academic pursuits, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA, showcasing his commitment to advancing healthcare regulations and policies.

With an impressive publication record in esteemed journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine and the Lancet, Dr. Fajgenbaum has been honored with prestigious awards like the 2016 Atlas Award and inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

His educational background includes a BS from Georgetown University, an MD from the University of Pennsylvania, an MSc from the University of Oxford, and an MBA from The Wharton School, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach.

Noteworthy for his athletic achievements and philanthropic endeavors, Dr. Fajgenbaum was a Division I Quarterback at Georgetown and co-founded the National Students of AMF Support Network.

His diverse professional experience spans roles such as Associate Professor of Medicine, Board Member, and Co-Founder in various healthcare and research organizations, illustrating his versatile expertise and leadership in the field.

Highlights

Aug 12 · linkedin

A 100-year-old drug might be a promising treatment for autism spectrum disorder!

A small clinical trial recently revealed that Suramin, a drug originally developed for African sleeping sickness, seems to improve communication skills and social behaviors in individuals with autism.

While the role of medications in treating autism spectrum disorder can be a complex and multifaceted topic, we were struck by the evidence suggesting that those who received Suramin experienced significant improvements in their verbal communication skills.

The idea of helping children find their voice is incredibly powerful.

At Every Cure, we are dedicated to exploring opportunities like Suramin for autism spectrum disorder, as well as other drug-disease matches, to identify the most promising treatments to move forward.

#AutismAwareness #DrugRepurposing #MedicalResearch #HealthcareInnovation

Jul 18 · linkedin

To develop a new drug from scratch, a drug company needs to invest 10 years and a billion dollars.

However for every clinical trial that Every Cure embarks on, we're looking at an investment of $1 to $5 million. This dramatic reduction is possible because we're not starting from zero.

We focus on FDA-approved drugs known for their safety, drawing upon a vast reservoir of existing data to inform our trials. This allows us to conduct focused, 'right fit' trials specifically designed to reveal a drug's efficacy in a new disease area.

Our goal isn't necessarily to change drug labels or seek new FDA approvals. Instead, we aim to generate compelling evidence that convinces both doctors and insurers of the drug's new application, ensuring patients have access to these repurposed treatments without the exorbitant costs of traditional drug development.

This approach not only accelerates the availability of treatments but also opens doors to exploring the potential of thousands of safe, approved drugs in combating a wide array of conditions.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the potential of repurposing FDA-approved drugs to treat new diseases.

#raredisease #pharma #drugdevelopment #biotech #clinicaltrials

To develop a new drug from scratch, a drug company needs to invest 10 years and a billion dollars.
David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc
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Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States