Emil Kakkis

Emil Kakkis is a renowned medical doctor and biomedical researcher known for his significant contributions to the field of rare diseases. He is the founder and CEO of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, a company dedicated to the development of novel products for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare diseases.

Early Life and Education

Emil Kakkis was born and raised in California, United States. He completed his undergraduate studies in biology at the University of California, Berkeley and later pursued his medical degree and PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Career

After completing his education, Kakkis began his career as a clinical researcher at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, where he developed the first approved treatments for the rare diseases Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) and Phenylketonuria (PKU).

In 2010, Kakkis founded Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical with the aim of developing treatments for rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases. Under his leadership, the company has developed and commercialized several innovative therapies for diseases that previously had no approved treatments.

Contributions to Medicine

Kakkis is widely recognized for his pioneering work in the field of rare diseases. His research has led to the development of several groundbreaking therapies, significantly improving the quality of life for patients suffering from these conditions.

In addition to his work at Ultragenyx, Kakkis is also the founder of the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the development of treatment and diagnostic opportunities for rare disease patients.

Awards and Recognition

Over the course of his career, Kakkis has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to medicine and rare disease research. These include the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Lifetime Achievement Award and the Global Genes RARE Champion of Hope Award.

See Also

• Rare diseases
• Biomedical research
• Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical
• EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases