Dr. Robert Ryan is a visionary leader in the field of rare diseases and orphan drugs, and currently serves as the CEO of Paradigm Therapeutics, where he spearheads the development of an innovative therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). With a career spanning over 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Ryan’s expertise covers the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle—from preclinical research to Phase IV trials—honed through senior leadership roles at global giants like Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Pfizer, in addition to holding pivotal regulatory positions at top-tier clinical research organizations, including PPD and Quintiles (now IQVIA). Dr. Ryan's previous company, Scioderm, was the first Biotech to receive “Breakthrough Therapy” designation from the FDA and was also recognized by Fierce Biotech as one of the Fierce 15, considered as one of the most promising Biotechs in the world.
Under his leadership at Paradigm Therapeutics, Dr. Ryan's strategic vision and commitment to patient-centric research has propelled the company to the forefront of the industry, driving groundbreaking advancements in precision medicine and personalized treatments. Dr. Ryan is known for his collaborative approach, working closely with patients, advocacy groups, and regulatory bodies to ensure that Paradigm Therapeutics' therapy meets the highest standards of safety and efficacy. His passion for improving the lives of those affected by rare diseases such as EB is evident in his tireless advocacy for increased access to orphan drugs and innovative treatment options.
As a speaker at the World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2026, Dr. Ryan will share his insights and expertise on the latest developments in orphan drug research and development. Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from his presentation, as he continues to drive forward the mission of Paradigm Therapeutics to transform the landscape of rare disease treatment.
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare, devastating, genetic disorder manifesting typically at birth comprising several genetic subtypes that results in blistering or wound formation across the entire skin in response to little or no apparent trauma. EB is a chronic disease where the skin remains defective in terms of the anchoring fibers involved in maintaining stability of the various skin layers. One of the major morbidities is the tendency to develop chronic wounds, which predisposes patients to multiple complications including life- threatening infections, sepsis, failure to thrive, and squamous cell carcinoma. SD-101 (ZorbesiaTM) is being developed to treat the entire skin surface in all subtypes of EB patients impacting multiple clinical manifestations of the disease that are important to patients. There are currently no products approved or in development that treat the entire skin surface of patients with EB.
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare, devastating, genetic disorder manifesting typically at birth comprising several genetic subtypes that results in blistering or wound formation across the entire skin in response to little or no apparent trauma. EB is a chronic disease where the skin remains defective in terms of the anchoring fibers involved in maintaining stability of the various skin layers. One of the major morbidities is the tendency to develop chronic wounds, which predisposes patients to multiple complications including life- threatening infections, sepsis, failure to thrive, and squamous cell carcinoma. SD-101 (ZorbesiaTM) is being developed to treat the entire skin surface in all subtypes of EB patients impacting multiple clinical manifestations of the disease that are important to patients. There are currently no products approved or in development that treat the entire skin surface of patients with EB.