Timothy Cote, MD, MPH, Joins NORD as Chief Medical Officer

Former FDA Official to Provide Medical Guidance on Behalf of Rare Disease Patients and Families

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Timothy R. Cote, MD, MPH, has joined the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) as Chief Medical Officer.  Cote was formerly Director of the Office of Orphan Products Development at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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His role at NORD will be to provide medical guidance in all areas -- particularly advocacy and education -- to promote fair, compassionate public policies; encourage the development of safe, effective treatments; and increase awareness of rare diseases and the needs of patients and their families.

"Dr. Cote's extensive experience in orphan product development will help NORD represent the nearly 30 million Americans with rare diseases even more effectively," said Peter L. Saltonstall, NORD President and CEO.  "Our single biggest challenge at this time is that there is no treatment for most patients with rare diseases.  With Dr. Cote's help, NORD will be able to serve as an even stronger catalyst for the development of safe, effective treatments and ensuring patient access to them."

Since 1983, NORD has been the primary voice of the rare disease patient community in the U.S.  It provides advocacy, education and patient services on behalf of all rare disease patients and families.  Issues currently being addressed by NORD include the need for more rare disease education in the nation's medical schools, greater patient access to treatments and increased emphasis on rare disease research.  

From 2007 to May 2011, Dr. Cote served as Director of the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD).  That office is FDA's primary interface with companies seeking orphan designation for drug and device products or seeking guidance in navigating FDA processes in reviewing orphan products.  As Director of OOPD, Dr. Cote was one of FDA's most visible spokespeople on issues related to orphan product development and also served as one of the agency's chief liaisons with patient organizations.

Before joining FDA, Dr. Cote was affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), serving as Country Director for Rwanda.  In that role, he was responsible for scientific and administrative leadership in patient care and research initiatives, and directed programs in HIV/AIDS, malaria and avian influenza.

Dr. Cote has also served as Senior Federal Advisor to the Director, District of Columbia Department of Health; Branch Chief, Therapeutics and Blood Safety, FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER); and Medical Director, Cancer Statistics Branch, National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Cote holds a B.A. from Syracuse University, M.P.H. from Harvard School of Public Health, and M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine.

In addition to his role at NORD, he will serve on the faculty of the Keck Graduate Institute, a specialized graduate school in Claremont, California.

SOURCE National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)