FDA Director Dr. Lola Fashoyin-Aje to Keynote 2024 debra Care Conference (DCC)

debra of America is thrilled to announce our 2024 debra Care Conference (DCC) Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lola Fashoyin-Aje, MD, MPH! Dr. Fashoyin-Aje serves as the Director of the Office of Clinical Evaluation (Cell and Gene Therapies) within the Super Office of Therapeutics Products (OTP) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In her role, Dr. Fashoyin-Aje is at the forefront of bringing new treatments to life. She oversees the evaluation of gene and cellular therapies and ensures that these treatments meet strict safety standards and are effective. She’s passionate about advancing individualized and precise medicines for rare diseases like Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). 

Reflecting on her journey, she shares: “I simply followed where the science is leading as we edge ever closer to fulfilling the promise of bringing more individualized and precise medicines to patients who need them, especially for those patients who have rare diseases.” 

With over a decade at the FDA, Dr. Fashoyin-Aje has held key positions including Deputy Director in the Division of Oncology 3 (DO3) in the Office of Oncologic Diseases (OOD) at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research- Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Associate Director at the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence. She completed her undergraduate and graduate training at Columbia University and Yale University, respectively, and received her M.D. degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. 

Her participation in the 2024 DCC underscores both the importance of collaboration between debra of America and the FDA in advancing progress and the crucial role of the patient voice in therapy development. 

“I am quite honored that Dr. Fashoyin-Aje accepted our invitation to be the keynote speaker at this year’s debra Care Conference,” said Brett Kopelan, Executive Director of debra of America. “Dr. Fashoyin-Aje has led an exemplary career at the FDA and she is committed to advancing cell and gene therapies for those of us who live with a rare disease. I am excited for our community to hear the importance of the patient voice in the regulatory pathway from such a senior leader at the FDA.”

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Fashiyin-Aje to our DCC stage this July!