Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show A New Path Forward For Rare Disease Treatments - Craig Martin - CEO - Orphan Therapeutics Accelerator
There are over 9,000 rare diseases affecting 300 million people—and yet 90% of them have no approved treatment. Why?
Craig Martin is the Founder and CEO of Orphan Therapeutics Accelerator ( https://www.orphantxl.com/ ), a pioneering nonprofit launched in 2024 to advance shelved therapies for ultra-rare diseases—bringing overlooked science back to life and guiding it through approval and into patients’ hands through innovative development and commercialization pathways.
With more than two decades at the intersection of biotech, digital health, and healthcare strategy, Craig has built a career around unlocking value in overlooked opportunities and tackling some of medicine’s toughest challenges. He previously founded Rithm Health, where he has advised emerging biotech and health technology companies on strategy, growth, and stakeholder engagement.
Craig also served as CEO of Global Genes, one of the world’s leading rare disease patient advocacy organizations, where he reversed declining revenues, launched major new initiatives, and led a successful merger with RARE-X—expanding the organization’s impact across the rare disease ecosystem.
Earlier in his career, Craig spent over a decade leading Ogilvy | Feinstein Kean Healthcare, and held leadership roles at Ogilvy Consulting and Ruder Finn, advising global pharma, biotech, and health innovators.
A graduate of Duke University, Craig brings a unique blend of strategic insight, policy awareness, and deep commitment to patients—focused on transforming how therapies for ultra-rare diseases are developed, financed, and delivered.
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