Scientific Advisory Board
Marty Okun, MD/PhD graduated from the MD/PhD program at Yeshiva University/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1990, with a PhD in molecular biology, focused on elucidating the mechanism by which secreted proteins are translocated across the endoplasmic reticulum. He subsequently completed an internship in internal medicine at UCLA Medical Center, a residency in dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine, and a four-year post-doctoral research fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, researching the fine structure of the papilloma virus.
His post-training career commenced at the Food and Drug Administration, where he was a medical reviewer, and later a dermatology team leader, in the Division of Dermatologic and Dental Products for three years. He spent 5 years as a general dermatologist in Madison, Wisconsin, then joined Abbott Laboratories in a medical affairs position, and later migrated into clinical development. His team successfully garnered an approval for adalimumab for several dermatologic indications: adult psoriasis, pediatric psoriasis (ex-US), and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Adalimumab was, for a time, the leading prescribed biologic agent for psoriasis in the US.
He has continued his involvement with advancing disease awareness and patient advocacy for HS by serving on the board of directors and Secretary of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation.