About Uncommon Cures

A team built around rare disease clinical trials

Uncommon Cures is a rare disease development and execution partner built to help sponsors move from strategy to clinical readiness to trial execution through a patient-centered, physician-led model.

Who we are

Rare disease does not fit a standard clinical trial model

Uncommon Cures is focused on rare disease clinical trials.

We bring together scientific strategy, trial readiness, and hands-on execution under one model so programs can move forward with more continuity and less fragmentation. Our work is built around the realities of rare disease, where patient populations are small, timelines matter, and getting the trial right from the start can make a meaningful difference.

What sets Uncommon Cures apart

Our model is built specifically for the demands of rare disease clinical research.

 

Rare Disease Focus

Our model is built specifically for the scientific, operational, and patient recruitment realities that make rare disease trials fundamentally different.

 

Design + Execution Under One Model

We help shape the strategy and support delivery, so the intent behind the trial is not lost between planning and execution.

Physician-Led Leadership

Clinical insight stays connected to operational decision-making, helping programs move forward with stronger judgment and better alignment.

Patient-Centered Trial Planning

Patient and caregiver burden are considered from the beginning so studies are more practical, more accessible, and more likely to succeed.

Operational Readiness

We help turn strategy into a real-world plan with the right structure, support, and preparation to move into clinic confidently.

Leadership

The team you work with

Uncommon Cures brings together clinical expertise, operational leadership, and real-world execution under one roof.

Marshall Summar, MD
Chief Executive Officer

Rob Kathol
President & COO

Kerri Gallagher, BSN, RN
Vice President of Operations

Tamanna Roshan Lal, MB ChB, MBA
Chief Medical Officer

Charles M. Bucklar
Chief Business Officer

Alan M. Freeman, Esq.
Chief Strategy Officer & General Counsel

Shan Lu, CPA CGMA MBA
Chief Financial Officer

Juan Francisco Cabello, MD
Senior VP, Latin America

Dr. Joshua Crago, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP,
Vice President of Pharmacy

Laura Allan, BSN, RN
Director of Clinical Operations

Christiana Bakare
Director of Business Operations

Our Board of Directors

Uncommon Cures is guided by an accomplished Board of Directors.

Thomas D. O'Malley Jr
Board Chairman

Andrew Lo, PHD
Board Director

Simon Frost
Board Director

Marshall Summar, MD
Board Director

Rob Kathol
Board Director
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Our Leadership Model

Leadership that stays connected to delivery

At Uncommon Cures, the same experts who help shape the development approach remain connected to the work of delivering the study.

That continuity matters. It helps keep strategy practical, operations aligned, and execution grounded in the original intent of the program.

Our Approach

Built around rare disease realities

Traditional clinical trial approaches do not always fit the realities of rare disease. That is why our approach is built around the disease, the therapy, the patient population, and the practical experience of participation. We believe trial design should be scientifically strong, operationally realistic, and mindful of the burden placed on patients and families. Across design, readiness, and execution, our goal is the same: to help rare disease trials work in the real world.

Connect with Uncommon Cures

Whether you are exploring a rare disease program, looking to learn more about our model, or simply trying to understand who we are, we welcome the conversation.

Marshall Summar, MD

Chief Executive Officer

A clinical geneticist with nearly 40 years of experience in rare disease research, Dr. Summar has been involved in more than 100 clinical trials. He was the founding Director of the Rare Disease Institute at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, and also chaired the Board of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). Dr. Summar is internationally recognized as a leading authority in the field of rare disease research, and his deep insight into both patient care and clinical trial
inefficiencies inspired the creation of Uncommon Cures.

Rob Kathol

President & COO

Driven by a passion for problem solving and a desire to spark meaningful change, Rob’s approach to business mirrors his approach to life: Lead with candor, resilience and empathy, and never stray from your values. It’s this ethos, combined with a fierce dedication to delivering measurable, sustainable value, that defines his leadership and advisory work.

Kerri Gallagher, BSN, RN

Vice President of Clinical Operations

Kerri Gallagher oversees all clinical activities related to study execution. She leads feasibility assessments, protocol reviews, and operational planning to ensure trials are practical, efficient, and patient-centered. She brings 10+ years of leadership experience in emergency nursing at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, along with more than two years in organ transplant and procurement operations. Her background provides a strong foundation for managing complex, high-stakes clinical
environments.

Tamanna Roshan Lal, MB ChB, MBA

Chief Medical Officer

A triple board-certified metabolic geneticist with 15+ years of experience in rare metabolic disorders and clinical trials, Dr. Roshan Lal previously served as Director of Clinical Trials at the Rare Disease Institute of Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, where she managed numerous rare disease studies. As Chief Medical Officer of Uncommon Cures, she works closely with our clients to design clinical trial protocols, and she provides medical oversight to our clinical operations, often
serving as Principal Investigator for our in-house trials.

Chuck Bucklar

Chief Business Officer

A pharmaceutical industry veteran with 25+ years of commercial experience, Chuck Bucklar leads Uncommon Cures’ business development and sponsor relations efforts. He brings to the role a keen eye for aligning trial design with market access needs, having worked on numerous rare disease product launches. He often is the first point of contact for our clients, guiding them in how Uncommon Cures can tailor solutions to their programs.

Alan M. Freeman, Esq.

Chief Strategy Officer & General Counsel

A corporate attorney with nearly 30 years of experience in boardrooms and courtrooms, Mr. Freeman provides both strategic and legal counsel to Uncommon Cures. In addition to supervising governance, contracting and human resource functions, he leads the company’s federal and state government relations initiatives and plays a key role in developing our international footprint. While focused on aligning Uncommon Cures’ legal and business strategies, Alan’s approach emphasizes collaboration, actionable solutions and sustainable growth.

Shan Lu, CPA, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

A finance professional with 15 years in biotech and drug development finance, Shan Lu ensures Uncommon Cures’ financial health. She oversees all financial management, planning and reporting functions, including the budget for each clinical trial – always prioritizing efficiency and quality. Her background in the life sciences sector enables her to bring sound financial management to each trial.

Juan Francisco Cabello, MD

Senior Vice President, Latin America

A leading neurologist with 20+ years of clinical trial experience in Latin America, Dr. Cabello expands Uncommon Cures’ reach and capabilities into Latin America, leveraging relationships with key medical centers and clinical communities. His expertise helps us accommodate diverse patient populations and regulatory environments, reinforcing our global approach.

Joshua Crago, Pharm.D.

Vice President of Pharmacy

A clinical pharmacist with 10+ years of experience in research pharmacy and pharmacology, Dr. Crago manages investigational product handling for all trials. His diligence ensures dosing accuracy and drug accountability across our studies.

Laura Allan, BSN, RN

Director of Clinical Operations

Laura Allan is an experienced nurse with nearly 20 years in critical care and transport medicine, including support for clinical trials in both settings. She oversees our clinical trial coordinators and nursing staff, ensuring seamless execution of patient visits, data collection, and protocol compliance. Her deep commitment to patient-centric care reinforces our company’s values at every stage of the clinical trial process. Laura brings both expertise and empathy to her leadership role, fostering excellence across clinical operations.

Christiana Bakare

Director of Business Operations

Christiana is an experienced program management professional with over a decade of demonstrated history of working in international development, trade relations and finance sectors. She is skilled in Non-profit Organizations, Financial Management, Relationship Management, Development Finance, Research and Private Sector Development. She has successfully managed and coordinated programs centered on poverty alleviation, African regional and bilateral trade and sustainable development.
She is constantly learning to stay current on the most effective business trends and emerging practices. At Uncommon Cures, she provides expertise to facilitate successful onboarding of projects through the provision of business and program management strategy and operations.

Thomas D. O’Malley Jr.

Chairman of the Board

The founding partner of PilotRock Investments, LLC, Tom O’Malley brings significant international business and finance leadership experience to the role. In addition to his role with Uncommon Cures, he serves on the Boards of Directors of Phlow Corp, Clearspeed and Vestr AG.

Andrew W. Lo, PhD

Board Director

As the Charles E. and Susan T. Harris Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, director of MIT’s Laboratory for Financial Engineering, and principal investigator at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Andrew Lo is a leading authority on financial engineering and business modeling for drug and device development. He is a co-founder and Director of BridgeBio Pharma, a Director of AbCellera and Atomwise, a co-founder and Chairman of QLS Advisors, and a member of the Advisory Boards of NCATS and the American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge Impact Fund.

Simon Frost

Board Director

The founder and CEO of Tiber Capital Group, Simon Frost is a prominent business executive and rare disease advocate. In addition to his role with Uncommon Cures, Mr. Frost is President of Cure AHC and Hope for Annabel, and a Board member of both RARE-X/Global Genes and the National Center for Advancing.