Dr. Emil Kakkis Received 2016 Award for Innovation and Accomplishment

Each year, WORLDSymposium recognizes one individual for innovation and accomplishment in the field of lysosomal disease research and therapy. This year, the 2016 Award for Innovation and Accomplishment in the field of lysosomal disease research and therapy was presented to Emil Kakkis, MD, PhD. Over the last 22 years Dr. Kakkis is best known for his work developing novel treatments for rare diseases and policy issues affecting rare disease treatment development. Dr. Kakkis began his career as Assistant Professor at UCLA where he initiated research on enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type I. More recently, he founded the non‐profit EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, dedicated to the acceleration of biotech innovation for rare diseases through practical and scientifically sound improvements to development strategies, regulatory policy and laws. Dr. Kakkis is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical where he leads a drug development team working on multiple rare and ultra‐rare disease treatments.