Dr. Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN, is a Presidential-awardee, inventive physician-scientist, esteemed biopharma board director, and distinguished biotech executive with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, academia, and industry. He is board-certified in both neurology and pain medicine trained at Cleveland Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital. Passionate about the convergence of science, technology, and medicine, he pioneered several novel therapeutics and clinical service lines to benefit patients in need.

Innovative Industry Leadership:

Formerly the Chief Medical & Scientific Officer at Click Therapeutics, Dr. Lakhan advanced first-in-class treatments via trail-blazing pharma partnerships with Otsuka and Boehringer Ingelheim. He serves as a Board Director at Frenelle Pharma (portfolio companies: SpineThera, Frenelle PBC, Anumio), guiding novel drug-delivery platform assets across human and animal health. His industry expertise spans biopharma leaders like Sage Therapeutics, Neurocrine, Zogenix, Benuvia Therapeutics, and FSD Pharma, as well as biotech disruptors such as The Learning Corp, Fern Health, and Lin Health.

Clinical Excellence and Academic Impact:

Dr. Lakhan provides expert neurology and pain care at Brigham and Women's, Beth Israel Deaconess, and Mount Auburn Hospital, all affiliates of Harvard Medical School. He is a professor of neurology, neuroscience, and medicine at Western University, Virginia Tech, and Morehouse School of Medicine, respectively. As a founding department chair and curricular dean at California University of Science and Medicine, he had a pivotal role in shaping the future of medical education. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, books, and book chapters, his contributions to the scientific community have been prolific and profound.

Distinguished Honors and Philanthropy:

Dr. Lakhan received the President's Call to Service Award from President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congressional Award Gold Medal from Senators Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Appointed by California Governor Brown, he played a critical role in closing health equity gaps through the Health Professions Education Foundation awarding over $200 million to clinicians caring for the underserved. His dedication to social impact earned him the Harvard Medical School Dean's Community Service Award for founding the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation. Dr. Lakhan holds the esteemed title of Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing neurological care.

ORCID ID

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2994-3630

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