When you speak with David Krause, MD, FACP, one thing becomes immediately clear: his career has been shaped not by a linear plan, but by an enduring curiosity and a willingness to follow science wherever it leads. Before he ever set foot in a medical school classroom, David was studying Art History and Psychology; disciplines he chose simply because he found them interesting. Medicine wasn’t part of the blueprint. That changed only when illness struck someone close to him, igniting a passion that would launch a decades-long career spanning global pharmaceuticals, precision medicine, infectious disease, gene-based therapies, and advisory roles for the U.S. military.

Today, David is recognized not only for his scientific expertise but also for his thoughtful leadership and ability to navigate complex situations—qualities that have guided him through successful FDA submissions, multidisciplinary collaborations, and pivotal moments in the evolution of drug development.

Innovation at Scale: Lessons from Organizations Big and Small

David’s resume reads like a tour through the full spectrum of life sciences companies: from early-stage ventures with lean teams to multinational pharmaceutical organizations. That breadth gives him a unique vantage point on how different environments approach innovation.

In large organizations, he explains, “there’s always someone who knows more about a particular issue that you can call on.” Deep institutional expertise and expansive internal networks allow for rapid problem-solving and knowledge-sharing. Smaller companies, by contrast, often move quickly because they must, but they rely heavily on bringing in specialized expertise through consultants, advisors, or partnerships.

In recent years, David has watched these models converge. Large pharma companies now routinely outsource clinical development through CROs, adopting the flexibility and external collaboration strategies that once defined early-stage biotech. The throughline here is simple: regardless of size, every organization seeks to move development forward as rapidly as possible.

Regulatory Success: Giving the FDA What It Needs

Among David’s most notable accomplishments is his track record of guiding multiple NDAs and BLAs to approval. His philosophy on successful regulatory interactions is refreshingly straightforward: always give the FDA what they want, or more.

Shortcuts, he warns, simply don’t work.

His respect for the Agency runs deep. “I’ve always found the FDA to be filled with well-intentioned, smart scientists,” he says. Building strong, collaborative relationships with reviewers, and understanding that they share the goal of bringing safe, effective therapies to patients, has been a hallmark of his approach. It’s a perspective that has served him and his teams exceptionally well—across his career, and within his work at Bracken.

From Broad Science to Precision Medicine: A Front-Row Seat to Transformation 

When David began working in clinical development, the Human Genome Project didn’t exist. Personalized medicine was not yet part of the industry vocabulary. Today, he describes the shift toward highly individualized therapies as nothing short of revolutionary.

Genetics now informs decision-making in areas such as oncology and psychiatry, where pharmacogenetics and companion diagnostics are becoming essential. “Treatments are tailored to the individual,” he reflects. This a fundamental shift that is reshaping not only clinical development strategies but also the role of medical affairs.

This evolution toward more data-driven, personalized approaches has been rapid, but David views it as just the beginning.

Scientific Rigor in Multidisciplinary Settings: A Lesson from the Military

Among the most meaningful chapters of David’s career is his collaboration with the U.S. Army on the development of a Hepatitis A vaccine while at GSK. Historically, Hepatitis A impacted every major conflict from the American Revolution through the Vietnam War. Through rigorous partnership and aligned objectives, the team brought a vaccine to market that effectively eliminated Hepatitis A from the military.

The experience made a lasting impression on David. He came away with immense respect for the military as an institution; one he describes as operating with exceptional clarity of purpose, coordination, and discipline. It also reinforced how powerful it can be when scientific rigor is applied within complex, mission-driven environments.

Leading with Curiosity and Building Future Leaders 

Though David’s early academic path may seem unconventional for someone in his role today, it reflects a trait that has defined his leadership style: unfiltered intellectual curiosity. He jokes that the “politically correct” answer is that his background in the humanities made him more broadly minded—but the truth, he says, is simpler. He studied what he loved, and that sense of exploration naturally carried into his scientific and leadership pursuits.

Over the years, David has built and led teams across therapeutic areas and organizational structures. Among the achievements he values most is identifying and developing talent: “individuals who became obvious successors to me,” he says. These hiring and mentorship decisions, he notes, have profound implications not just for teams but for entire organizations.

The Scientific Shifts That Changed Everything

Ask David to identify the developments that have had the most transformative impact on modern drug development, and two themes stand out.

First: recombinant DNA technology. This breakthrough laid the groundwork for insulin, growth factors, protein therapeutics, and numerous vaccines; fundamentally altering what drug development could achieve.

Second: the explosion of genetics and accessible knowledge. David points out that in 1950, medical knowledge doubled roughly every 50 years. Today, estimates suggest it doubles every two months. With AI-driven tools putting vast, up-to-date scientific information at our fingertips, the pace of progress has accelerated dramatically. This convergence of biology and data, he alleges, is reshaping the field faster than ever before.

Looking Ahead: A Future Powered by Genetics and AI

David’s outlook on the next decade of drug development is both ambitious and optimistic. He anticipates:

• transformative advances in gene editing tools like CRISPR,
• correction of inborn errors of metabolism,
• new therapeutic pathways for cancers and common diseases, and
• an expansion of genetic “vaccines” using viral vectors.

And then there’s AI, of course. It’s already deeply embedded in discovery and development and poised to become ubiquitous across every scientific and medical discipline. From accelerating early research to improving clinical trial efficiency and predictive modeling, AI is reshaping timelines, reducing costs, and increasing success rates across the field.

For David, these unprecedented tools represent not just technological shifts but opportunities to fundamentally improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion: A Career Defined by Agility and Vision

Across every chapter of his career, Dr. David Krause has demonstrated a unique ability to adapt, lead, and thrive in the face of scientific and organizational complexity. His journey from humanities student to physician-scientist, from startup advisor to global development leader reflects a lifelong commitment to understanding the full landscape of human health and what moves science forward.

As medicine enters an era defined by genetic technologies, rapid knowledge expansion, and AI-driven discovery, David’s insights offer both clarity and inspiration. His story is a reminder that science is always evolving—and that leaders who embrace curiosity, collaboration, and rigor will continue to shape the future.

Interested in working with David and Bracken’s team of expert consultants? Contact us today to learn more about opportunities for support.