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David Brown
Chairman and co-founder, Healx Ltd, Cambridge UK
David Brown is a prominent figure in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, with a career spanning over 40 years in medical research and drug discovery. He is the co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Healx Ltd, a Cambridge University spinout company that uses machine learning to find treatments for rare diseases.15
Career Highlights
Pharmaceutical Industry Experience:: David Brown has held significant positions in major pharmaceutical companies. He was formerly the Global Head of Drug Discovery at Roche, where he was responsible for overseeing the productivity of over 2000 scientists across five research sites in the USA, Europe, and Asia.1
Notable Inventions:: While working at Pfizer, Brown was named co-inventor on the patent for Viagra. He led the team that developed Viagra for eight years, taking it through to proof of clinical efficacy for treating male erectile dysfunction. Additionally, he was involved in the development of Relpax (for migraines) and Revatio (for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension). These drugs have collectively generated sales exceeding $50 billion.1
Entrepreneurial Ventures:: In addition to co-founding Healx, Brown was also a co-founder of Crescendo Biologics, an antibody company.1
Healx and AI-Driven Drug Discovery
At Healx, David Brown and his team are pioneering the use of artificial intelligence in drug discovery, particularly for rare diseases. The company employs machine learning to analyze vast amounts of biomedical data, identifying hidden connections between existing chemical compounds and rare diseases.2
Recognition
Brown's innovative work has earned him recognition in the industry. In 2019, he was listed in the Maserati 100 UK Innovators/Entrepreneurs list.1
Philosophy and Approach
David Brown's approach to drug discovery has been shaped by his experiences, particularly the serendipitous discovery of Viagra. He advocates for a more holistic and data-driven approach to pharmaceutical research, emphasizing the importance of observing unexpected effects and leveraging technology to uncover new possibilities in treatment.3
David Brown's LinkedIn profile can be found under the username david-brown-7b2b394, reflecting his current position at Healx Ltd.4
