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Dr. Nathaniel Brown

Nathaniel Brown, MD

Distinguished Professor

Biography

Dr. Nathaniel A. Brown, an infectious diseases expert esteemed for his career expertise in globalized clinical development of pioneering medicines for hepatitis B, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hepatitis B Foundation. Dr. Brown was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and is a native of Doylestown PA, graduating from Central Bucks (West) High School in 1966. He was subsequently educated at Yale College (Class of 1970), majoring in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, then continuing his education at Georgetown University School of Medicine, earning his M.D. in 1976 with Alpha Omega Alpha academic honors (top 10% of his class), followed by clinical specialty training at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and Yale. His subsequent 39-year academic and industry career included eight years in academic medicine at UCLA and Cornell, where he advanced to the position of Associate Professor and Division Head. During this period, he secured continuous NIH R01 research funding for viral research and served on N.I.H. review committees. 

Transitioning to full-time clinical research in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Brown contributed 27 years of full-time effort in Phase 1-3b pharmaceutical development, focusing on developing innovative antiviral therapies for globally common, deadly chronic viral infections. He had leadership roles in U.S. and global clinical development programs for 12 novel anti-infective agents targeting Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis C. Notably, he played a pivotal role in designing and leading global clinical trial programs for the first and third regulatory-approved antiviral medicines for chronic hepatitis B, a major global health concern. Dr. Brown’s expertise in antiviral drug development is reflected in his extensive publication record, featuring over 200 research articles, chapters, and scientific abstracts. Recognized for his career accomplishments, he has been cited in prominent publications, including the New York Times, and has received awards from foundations. His engagement with regulatory processes spans North America, Europe, Japan, and Asia, including pioneering involvement in mainland China’s drug development processes. As a respected clinical program leader, Dr. Brown has interacted with government agencies and global regulatory bodies, presenting clinical data to the U.S. FDA, N.I.H. (DAIDS-ACTG), the European Medicines Agency, mainland China’s Drug Evaluation Bureau, and other national regulatory agencies worldwide. 

His corporate leadership experience includes serving as 11 years as a Section Head at BurroughsWellcome/GlaxoWellcome/GlaxoSmithKline, and Chief Medical Officer roles at Idenix Pharmaceuticals and three other biotech companies focused on antiviral drug development for viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. In retirement Dr. Brown has continued to make career contributions, with advisory services to the N.I.H. Division of Extramural Grants, FDA Division of Antiviral Drug Products, Gates Foundation Strategic Investment Fund, and various pharmaceutical and biotech companies. His commitment to charitable efforts is evident through his involvement with the Hepatitis B Foundation, a Yale global health training program, and multiple educational organizations. In recognition of his achievements, Dr. Brown was elected as a Sterling Fellow by the Board of Trustees of Yale University in 2021.

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