Company: Curemark, Rye, NY
Entry Submitted By: Lazar Partners Ltd.
Company Description: Curemark is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies to treat serious diseases for which there are limited treatment options. All of its product candidates address severe neurologic diseases that are underserved by available approved therapies and represent large potential commercial market opportunities.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Maverick of the Year

Nomination Title: Dr. Joan Fallon, Founder and CEO

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated woman since the beginning of July last year (up to 525 words):

Dr. Joan Fallon, Founder and CEO of Curemark, is considered a visionary scientist who has dedicated her life’s work to championing the health and wellbeing of children worldwide. She is widely recognized for her vision, passion, and innovation in defining a successful entrepreneurial venture.

In 2013 Curemark commenced the filing of a New Drug Application for the first novel drug for autism under the FDA Fast Track Program. Fast Track status is a designation given only to investigational new drugs that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions, and that have demonstrated the potential to address, unmet medical needs. This pre-NDA registration by Curemark marks a historic moment for children with autism. After completing a successful Phase III trial, Curemark is presently looking at the use of their biomarker as a potential companion diagnostic for their drug CM-AT

The original observations, which led to the formation of Curemark, were done by Dr. Fallon who recognized a nutrition-based pattern in her young patients with autism. Her keen insight, together with her drive to push the boundaries of scientific understanding, provided the foundation for her subsequent research, which methodically and comprehensively analyzed the gut-brain connection. Her revolutionary discovery of a potential biomarker for autism and her vast array of intellectual property in the area of gastrointestinal secretory deficiencies have the potential to transform the current landscape of treatment options for persons affected by autism and other neurological conditions. To that end, Curemark’s principal drug, CM-AT, a unique drug that was developed to address a very specific gap in a broad population of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. .

During her entire life, Joan has centered her personal and professional philosophies on disruptive innovation for the advancement of healthcare. She proudly speaks about Caremark’s novel approach to 1) patient-centered drug discovery, 2) the biotech financing model, and 3) the medical paradigm by focusing on patterns and her belief that patients’ needs should drive innovation (and not the reverse). In its early days, Curemark successfully raised $50MM in capital. However, these resources were not obtained from venture capitalists. Instead, the individuals — not necessarily parents of autistic children — who believed in Joan and her cause, and the power of disruption invested in Curemark and Joan’s vision. There is currently no venture capital invested in drugs for autism.

As one of the world’s first virtual biotechs, today Curemark continues to function on the very values that founded and guided Joan’s research for years. Her leadership style decisively blends a unique business model with an expert scientific and regulatory team to bring promising medical technologies to patients with autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders.

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Provide a brief biography of the nominated woman (up to 125 words):

Joan has written numerous scholarly articles, lectured worldwide on pediatric developmental problems, and a former Assistant professor at yeshiva University in the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and presently serves on the Council of National Advisors for Springboard Enterprises an internationally known venture catalyst, that supports women–led growth companies. She has also served on the Board of Directors of Kentuckiana Children’s Center and the Board of physicians as Oxford Health Plans

She was awarded a DC from Palmer College of Chiropractic and completed the coursework for an MSc from Harvard University’s program with Mass General Hospital.