Serving as National Institute of Clinical Research, Inc. vice president of clinical operations, Mark Paskewitz organizes a variety of clinical studies at affiliated sites in areas ranging from oncology to cardiology. Among Mark Paskewitz’ accomplishments has been his work in the development of a new Kyowa Hakko Kirin drug for X-Linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH), which received European Commission marketing authorization in early 2018.

A rare chronic and progressive musculoskeletal condition, XLH involves renal phosphate wasting and is related to too much of the hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) . Conventional treatments center on taking active vitamin D and phosphate on a daily basis. While this addresses FGF23 and its effects, it does not help resolve underlying issues that can cause children to develop a skeletal disease that results in decreased height and lower-extremity deformities.

The first FDA and EU-approved medication that addresses XLH’s underlying causes, Crysvita has been recognized for its outstanding contribution to public health by the European Medicines Agency. Crysvita works against FGF23 production as a fully human recombinant monoclonal IgG1 antibody, and has also been developed as a treatment for tumour-induced osteomalacia, which involves elevated FGF23 levels.