Steven M. Paul

Not to be confused with Steve Paul and Steven Paul. For the alternative spelling see Stephen Paul (disambiguation).
Steven M. Paul
CitizenshipU.S
EducationTulane University (BS) (MBBS) (MD),
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Occupation(s)Neuroscientist
Psychiatrist
Biopharmaceutical executive

Steven M. Paul is an American neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and biopharmaceutical executive.[1][2] As of 2025, Paul is the co-founder and board chair of Rapport Therapeutics and Seaport Therapeutics. He is the former CEO and board chair of Karuna Therapeutics. Paul is a Venture Partner at Third Rock Ventures. Paul is also a professor of psychiatry and neurology at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

Early life and Education

Paul received his bachelor's, master's, and medical degree from Tulane University.[3] He acquired his master's and MD degree from the same university in 1975. He spent a year as a resident in psychiatry at the University of Chicago before joining the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). He is a 1968 graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School.[4]

From 1980 to 2000, Paul was ranked among the top 50 neuroscientists in the world by the Institute for Scientific Information.[5]

Career

At NIMH, he joined the laboratory of Nobelist Julius Axelrod to work on steroid metabolism in the brain, an area of research that as of 2025 Paul continues to pursue.[6]

In the late 70s, Paul and his colleague, Phil Skolnick, began a series of projects on benzodiazepines and GABAA receptors, resulting in several publications on various drugs shown to produce their anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, and anesthetic properties via these receptors.[7]

In 1989, he was the senior scientist on a paper published in Nature that undercut the claim that mutations in a gene on chromosome 11 caused bipolar disorder, which previously had been hailed as evidence that studies of genetics would lead to definitive biomarkers for mental illnesses.[8] Around this time, he became the scientific director of intramural research at NIMH.[9]

Paul and Dorota Majewska, in their lab, were the first to report that the significant progesterone metabolites allopregnanolone and pregnanolone were potent positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors. Together with Bob Purdy and Leslie Morrow, Paul’s lab went on to show stress-related elevations of allopregnanolone in both serum and brain of rats providing evidence for both peripheral and de novo synthesis of allopregnanolone in the brain.[10]

Paul moved to Eli Lilly and Company in 1993 as vice president for central nervous system discovery and decision-phase medical research.[9] A New York Times reporter described him in 1996 as "one of those at the forefront of the development of the coming breed of psychiatric medications."[9] In 1998, he was named group vice president, therapeutic area discovery research and clinical investigation, and by 2003 he was Lilly's executive vice president for science and technology and president of [[Lilly Research Laboratories]].[11] He helped organize cooperation and funding from pharmaceutical companies in establishing the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a non-proprietary collaborative research effort to develop imaging biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, a non-proprietary collaborative research effort to establish imaging biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease[12] and overseen by the foundation for the NIH (FNIH). Paul is the Chairman of the board of directors of the FNIH.[9]

In the early 2000s, Paul helped lead Lilly toward a new drug discovery and development model that focused on getting proof of concept as early as possible in the research process to avoid failures in Phase II and III clinical trials.[13][14] As part of that effort, he helped establish Lilly Chorus. This autonomous virtual business unit was created to design and execute studies that would allow drug candidates to be developed through “proof-of-concept” instead of lingering in a company's pipeline.[15][16][17][18] He assisted Lilly in overseeing the development of Zyprexa and Cymbalta, two of its major products for treating schizophrenia and depression, respectively. Paul was also the senior author of the paper which first demonstrated the antipsychotic properties of xanomeline, the CNS-active pharmaceutical ingredient in KarXT, the compound now FDA approved as Cobenfy, the first novel non-dopamine receptor antipsychotic drug being marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb[19] by his new company "Karuna Therapeutics." [20][21]

Paul also led Lilly's work on Alzheimer's drug solanezumab, which failed in Phase III clinical trials.[22][23] He also led Lilly's work on Alzheimer's drug solanezumab, which failed in Phase III clinical trials. In addition, he expanded Lilly’s presence in New York through the acquisition and development of ImClone Systems into a new research space. He helped establish a biotechnology center in San Diego after purchasing Applied Molecular Evolution.[24]

Paul retired from Lilly in 2010 and joined the faculty of Weil Cornell Medical College in New York City. In 2010, he also joined Third Rock Ventures as a venture partner. In 2011, he co-founded Sage Therapeutics with Third Rock partner Kevin Starr and collaborator Douglas Covey of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.[25]

Sage's research is based on earlier work Paul carried out at NIMH, which showed that certain neurosteroids, including the major metabolite of progesterone, allopregnanolone are potent positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors and have rapid anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in various animal models.[26]

In 2014, he took over as the CEO of Voyager Therapeutics.[27]

In 2018, Paul became the CEO, president and chairperson of Karuna Therapeutics, a public CNS biotechnology company developing a novel antipsychotic called KarXT, for both schizophrenia and dementia related psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease. Karuna was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb in December of 2023 for $14 billion.[28]

Paul is the former CEO, president, and chairperson of Karuna Therapeutics.[29][30][31]

In 2024, Paul co-founded Rapport Therapeutics with David Bredt, Reid Huber and Jeff Tong from Third Rock Ventures.[32] In 2024, Paul also co-founded Seaport Therapeutics with Daphne Zohar.[33]

Boards and memberships

Paul is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).[34]

He is also an elected fellow emeritus of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) and served as ACNP President (1999).[35][36] As of 2025, he was on the board of directors or is a trustee of several organizations, including serving as chairman of the Board of the Foundation for the NIH (FNIH) [37] a member of the Board of Trustees at Tulane University,[38] board chair at Seaport Therapeutics,[33] Chairman of the Board at Rapport Therapeutics,[32] He is a former Director of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals,[39] Sage Therapeutics,[40] Voyager Therapeutics [41] and Karuna Pharmaceuticals.[42]

As an author

He has authored over 600 papers and book chapters[43].

References

  1. ^ "Steve Paul". Thirdrockventures. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  2. ^ "Steven Paul". Research Profiles at Washington University School of Medicine. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  3. ^ "Neuroscientist, pharmaceutical executive Dr. Steven Paul named to Board of Tulane | Tulane University News". news.tulane.edu. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  4. ^ "Steven M. Paul | Tulane University School of Science and Engineering". sse.tulane.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  5. ^ "Steven Paul". 2015-10-27. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  6. ^ "Dr. Steven Marc Paul Moves to Weill Cornell Medical College". Medscape. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  7. ^ Schmeck, Jr, Harold M. (7 September 1982). "The Biology of Fear and Anxiety: Evidence Points to Chemical Triggers". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Schmeck, Harold M. Jr. (7 November 1989). "Scientists Now Doubt They Found Faulty Gene Linked to Mental Illness". The New York Times.
  9. ^ a b c d Goleman, Daniel (19 November 1996). "Research on Brain Leads to Pursuit Of Designer Drugs". The New York Times.
  10. ^ Idrus, Amirah Al (2020-01-16). "JPM: In conversation with Steve Paul, CEO of Karuna Therapeutics | Fierce Biotech". www.fiercebiotech.com. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  11. ^ Harris, Gardiner (22 November 2003). "Cialis, Lilly's Entry in Impotence Market, Is Approved". The New York Times.
  12. ^ Kolata, Gina (12 August 2010). "Rare Sharing of Data Led to Results on Alzheimer's". The New York Times.
  13. ^ Berenson, Alex (3 July 2005). "Blockbuster Drugs Are So Last Century". The New York Times.
  14. ^ Paul, SM; Mytelka, DS; Dunwiddie, CT; Persinger, CC; Munos, BH; Lindborg, SR; Schacht, AL (March 2010). "How to improve R&D productivity: the pharmaceutical industry's grand challenge". Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery. 9 (3): 203–14. doi:10.1038/nrd3078. PMID 20168317.
  15. ^ Bonabeau, E; Bodick, N; Armstrong, RW (March 2008). "A more rational approach to new-product development". Harvard Business Review. 86 (3): 96–102, 134. PMID 18411967.
  16. ^ Paul, S. (January 2009). "An Audience with: Steven Paul". Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery. 8 (1): 14. doi:10.1038/nrd2800. PMID 19116623. S2CID 21916329.
  17. ^ Henderson, Rebecca; Reavis, Cate (March 13, 2008). "Eli Lilly: Recreating Drug Discovery for the 21st Century" (PDF). MIT Sloan School of Management.
  18. ^ Owens, PK; Raddad, E; Miller, JW; Stille, JR; Olovich, KG; Smith, NV; Jones, RS; Scherer, JC (January 2015). "A decade of innovation in pharmaceutical R&D: the Chorus model". Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery. 14 (1): 17–28. doi:10.1038/nrd4497. PMID 25503514. S2CID 8067609.
  19. ^ Commissioner, Office of the (2024-09-27). "FDA Approves Drug with New Mechanism of Action for Treatment of Schizophrenia". FDA. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  20. ^ Idrus, Amirah Al (2020-01-16). "JPM: In conversation with Steve Paul, CEO of Karuna Therapeutics | Fierce Biotech". www.fiercebiotech.com. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  21. ^ "Where Are They Now? Karuna Therapeutics". www.lifescienceleader.com. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  22. ^ Wall, J.K. (August 11, 2012). "Alzheimer's quest puts Lilly to test". Indiana Business Journal.
  23. ^ Taylor, Phil (November 23, 2016). "Alzheimer's hopes dashed as Lilly gives up on amyloid drug solanezumab". FierceBiotech.
  24. ^ "Eli Lilly and Company Unveils Expanded Biotechnology Center in San Diego".
  25. ^ Timmerman, Luke (2020-12-22). "Creative New Treatments for Mental Health: Steve Paul on The Long Run - TimmermanReport.com". Timmerman Report. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  26. ^ Paul, Steven M.; Pinna, Graziano; Guidotti, Alessandro (2020). "Allopregnanolone: From molecular pathophysiology to therapeutics. A historical perspective". Neurobiology of Stress. 12 100215. doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100215. ISSN 2352-2895. PMC 7231972. PMID 32435665.
  27. ^ "Voyager Therapeutics Appoints Steven Paul, M.D., to Chief Executive Officer".
  28. ^ N, Vishnu Priya (2024-03-19). "Bristol Myers Squibb acquires Karuna Therapeutics for $14bn". Pharmaceutical Technology. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  29. ^ Timmerman, Luke (2020-12-22). "Creative New Treatments for Mental Health: Steve Paul on The Long Run - TimmermanReport.com". Timmerman Report. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  30. ^ "Karuna clears PhII hurdle in schizophrenia, takes aim at a pivotal in blockbuster hunt — shares soar". Endpoints News. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  31. ^ "One more gig: Steven Paul decides to extend a 35-year track record with one last shot at a big development program". Endpoints News. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  32. ^ a b "Board of Directors » Rapport Therapeutics". Rapport Therapeutics. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  33. ^ a b "Team – Seaport Therapeutics". seaporttx.com. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  34. ^ "Paul profile as Alnyam Board Member". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  35. ^ "CURRICULUM VITAE STEVEN MARC PAUL, M.D". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021.
  36. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  37. ^ "Steven M. Paul, M.D. | the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health".
  38. ^ "Board of Tulane | Tulane University". tulane.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  39. ^ "The Alnylam® Leadership Team". www.alnylam.com.
  40. ^ "Steven Paul, M.D. | Board of Directors | Sage Therapeutics, Inc".
  41. ^ "Voyager Therapeutics".
  42. ^ "About Us • Karuna". Karuna.
  43. ^ "Steven M. Paul | Tulane University School of Science and Engineering". sse.tulane.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
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