California’s Life Science Industry Celebrates Black History Month

At CBF, we are proud to celebrate Black History Month by honoring the remarkable contributions of Black leaders in the life science industry. Their dedication, innovation, and advocacy are driving groundbreaking advancements and shaping a more inclusive future for all. Join us in recognizing these trailblazers who continue to inspire and uplift the next generation of leaders!

Dr. Karen Akinsanya is the President of R&D, Therapeutics at Schrodinger. A leader in drug discovery and translational medicine, she’s driving life science innovation and paving the way for future generations.

Mary Brown, President and CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation and has been tirelessly advocating for 50 years on behalf of the sickle cell community. She is notably responsible for getting state funding of 12 much needed clinics seeing more than 1,000 California patients.

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is a pioneering viral immunologist whose work was crucial to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. Her groundbreaking research continues to shape the future of public health.

Reverend Tammie Denyse is Co-Founder and President of Carrie’s TOUCH, a nonprofit breast cancer organization established to enrich the lives of African American women diagnosed with the disease. She is a 17-year breast cancer survivor and spent the past 16 years coaching cancer patients and their families through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis.

Kenneth Frazier is a life science industry leader and former Merck CEO. As the first Black CEO of a major pharmaceutical company, he continues to champion a better future for the next generation.

Bernard Parker is Chief Business Officer (CBO) at SPHBio. With 20+ years in biotech & a strong commitment to equality, he’s driving a more inclusive industry.

Rare Disease Awareness Month Highlights Latest Life Science Treatments and Care

Rare Disease Awareness Month is observed annually in February. It is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about rare diseases, their impact on patients and families, and the need for research, treatment advancements, and access.

Over 7,000 rare diseases impact more than 30 million people in the United States. Also known as orphan diseases, they are defined as those which affect fewer than 200,000 patients in America.  Numerous rare diseases are life-threatening and many do not have treatments.

The life science industry is developing treatments for rare diseases and is helping to improve access to diagnosis and care. Research and development involving rare diseases has increased over the past few years, largely thanks to major advances in technology and novel therapeutic platforms that can target the root cause of these disorders. Today, there are more than 700 clinical trials in progress hoping to create approved medicines for rare diseases.

CBF moderated a panel at a recent California Rare Disease Access Coalition meeting which brought together experts, advocates, and policymakers for powerful discussions on calling out barriers and improving access to diagnosis and treatment for rare disease patients.

A highlight of the meeting was the “Patient Voices & the Diagnostic Journey” panel where patients shared their experiences navigating barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Another session featured Project Baby Bear at Rady Children’s Institute of Genomic Medicine. Madison Arenchild presented on how rapid Whole Genome Sequencing is transforming the diagnostic journey for critically ill newborns in the NICU, helping identify genetic diseases faster, improving care, and reducing hospital costs over time.

For more information about the latest advancements in rare diseases visit this link. For companies developing cutting-edge rare disease treatments visit this link.