The CMT Research Foundation is pleased to announce that William Skach, MD, retired Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), has joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Skach is a clinically trained physician-scientist with more than 35 years of experience as a practicing oncologist, professor of biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology, and an executive leader in venture philanthropy–driven drug development. He is a recognized expert in the genetic mechanisms of disease and has published nearly 100 scientific articles describing fundamental properties of membrane protein biogenesis, folding, cellular trafficking, and quality control.
During his tenure at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Dr. Skach was instrumental in strategically developing and leading a major expansion of global CF research programs and industry-based drug discovery partnerships. These collaborations spanned biotech and pharmaceutical companies, venture capital groups, and small incubator laboratories and addressed a diverse range of therapeutic targets. His leadership and strategic vision were vital in pivoting CFF’s drug development capabilities toward the goal of developing a cure for all people with cystic fibrosis. In this role, Dr. Skach built deep expertise in establishing scientific foundations and advancing genetic-based therapies, including mRNA and gene replacement, gene editing, and oligonucleotide therapies for rare disease applications.
Drawn to CMTRF’s mission-driven approach to drug development, Dr. Skach joined the Foundation as an expert consultant in 2022. In that role, he has provided scientific insight on research proposals, helped build strong internal and external scientific teams, identified funding opportunities, and evaluated potential industry partnerships.
“I have been extremely impressed with the CMTRF team, their accomplishments, and their remarkable momentum in advancing therapeutic treatments for people with CMT,” said Dr. Skach. “I am both excited and honored to now serve on the Board of Directors. CMT is a complex disease that takes a devastating toll on patients and families, and there is an urgent need for treatments that will slow disease progression and ultimately address its underlying causes. I am thrilled to be part of the team that will achieve that goal.”
“I am delighted that Bill has decided to take all of his knowledge and experience from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and apply it to the field of CMT drug development with the CMTRF.”, said Peter deSilva, Board Chair of the CMTRF.
Dr. Skach received bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry/biophysics and crop science from Oregon State University and earned his MD degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his clinical and research training at the University of California, San Francisco, and has held academic appointments at the University of Pennsylvania and Oregon Health & Science University. He currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the College of Science at Oregon State University.
Following his retirement from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2022, Dr. Skach and his wife returned to Oregon, where they now reside in Salem on their small tree farm.