Professional Position: Chief Development Officer
Company: BrainXell Therapeutics
Location: San Diego, CA

Dr. Eugene Brandon is a neuroscientist working in translational medicine. He has expertise in biomedical product development, regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, stem cell technology, endocrinology, and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on ALS. He has spent approximately 30 years in scientific research and development, in both academic and industry contexts. Since 2005, Eugene has been an active volunteer with the ALS Association. Eugene’s involvement became more personal in 2008 when his friend and neighbor was diagnosed with ALS. With a broad understanding of the scientific advances as well as the patient’s perspective, Dr. Brandon is driven to contribute where he can to improving life for people living with ALS.

Eugene’s career in scientific research began with a major in Biopsychology at Tufts University, followed by a position at New England Medical Center pioneering activated lymphocytes for the treatment of cancer in the early days of immuno-oncology. He earned his PhD at the University of Washington School of Medicine, with his doctoral work on intracellular signaling and neural function. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, he focused on cholinergic systems, motor neurons, and the neuromuscular junction. In the biotechnology industry, Eugene led the Parkinson’s Disease and ALS gene therapy efforts at Ceregene, and the product development of a cell therapy for diabetes at ViaCyte. More recently, he consulted and contributed to the development of several different biomedical products in his role as the Executive Director of the IQVIA Cell and Gene Therapy Center. At BrainXell and BrainXell Therapeutics he oversees product development including an autologous cell therapy candidate for Parkinson’s Disease. 

While at Ceregene, Eugene joined the Board of Directors for the ALS Association in San Diego. Over the years he has served in each of the Executive Committee positions including five years as the Board Vice Chair and two as Chair. In San Diego, Eugene led Strategic Planning and the formation of an Advisory Council. On the Board of Trustees of the ALS Association, he serves on and has chaired the Research Committee. He's grateful to have the opportunity to guide the 150-project portfolio, including promoting initiatives regarding earlier diagnosis, a clinical trial matching tool for people living with ALS, and launching a scientific community for the Safenowitz post-doctoral fellows in ALS.