David Meeker, CEO of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, previously led Sanofi Genzyme and has been a key player in rare disease biotech. He shares his journey from physician to biotech leader, highlighting breakthroughs like enzyme replacement therapies for Gaucher disease. David emphasizes the importance of patient-centric approaches, the challenges of developing therapies for rare diseases, and the evolving dynamics between biotech and big pharma. He discusses regulatory impacts and the necessity for a clear focus in addressing unmet medical needs in the industry.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Career Shift
David Meeker transitioned from being a physician at Cleveland Clinic to Genzyme in 1994.
This was due to a friend's recommendation for a medical director role in Genzyme's cystic fibrosis gene therapy program.
insights INSIGHT
Rare Disease Business Model
Genzyme's early success with Gaucher disease, a rare genetic disorder, established a viable business model for rare disease treatment.
Setting a high price for the enzyme replacement therapy, despite controversy, demonstrated profitability potential, attracting investment and innovation in the field.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Genzyme's Focus Shift
Genzyme's initial focus on Gaucher disease led to investments in recombinant enzyme technology and expansion of treatment.
Later, they diversified into broader markets before refocusing on rare diseases due to emerging competition and the potential of enzyme replacement therapies.
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Synopsis:
Join host Alok Tayi as he welcomes David Meeker, CEO of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, for an inspiring conversation on the transformative journey of rare disease biotech. David shares his incredible path from practicing physician to biotech visionary, recounting his experiences at Genzyme, where he helped shape the rare disease business model and set the stage for a wave of life-changing innovations.
In this episode, David dives deep into the breakthroughs and hurdles of developing therapies for rare diseases, the pivotal role of patient-centric approaches, and how advancements in precision medicine are reshaping treatment for conditions like genetic obesity. He also explores the evolving relationship between biotech and big pharma, the critical impact of regulatory decisions, and the essential elements of building a thriving biotech company today.
Don’t miss this captivating discussion packed with actionable insights, industry wisdom, and a look at the future of rare disease therapeutics.
Biography:
Dr. David Meeker, a member of Rhythm’s Board of Directors since 2015 and Chairman of the Board since 2017, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in July 2020. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of KSQ Therapeutics for approximately three years. Previously, David was the Executive Vice President and Head of Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty-care global business unit of Sanofi that focused on rare diseases, multiple sclerosis, oncology, and immunology. He joined Genzyme in 1994 as Medical Director and, over the course of his tenure, served the company as Vice President of Medical Affairs, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer. He led Genzyme’s commercial organization and global market access functions and managed the launch of several treatments for rare genetic diseases, including Aldurazyme®, Fabrazyme® and Myozyme®. Prior to his tenure with Genzyme, David was Director of the Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Ohio State University. Dr. Meeker earned his MD from the University of Vermont Medical School and completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.
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