Overview
In 2024, I founded JRBrown Bio Consulting as a biotechnology strategist and AI-driven life sciences consultant firm working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, genomics, precision medicine, and multi-omics data integration. My work focuses on how cutting-edge technologies — including large language models (LLMs), and AI-based drug discovery tools — are transforming the future of healthcare, pharmaceutical R&D, and personalized medicine.
I specialize in identifying emerging trends, evaluating AI and biotech innovations, and translating complex scientific data into actionable strategies. From microbiome research and metagenomics to regulatory tech and translational bioinformatics, I help organizations make informed decisions in fast-evolving biomedical landscapes. If it involves AI in drug discovery, multi-omics analytics, or next-generation health technologies, I am already exploring what’s next.
Work Experience & Philosophy
I have over 28 years experience in providing impactful bioinformatics and computational biology support to biopharma R&D covering multiple therapeutic areas for both a large pharmaceutical company (GlaxoSmithKline or GSK) and mid-sized biotechs (i.e., Kaleido Biosciences, Novasenta). My academic experience spans institutions in the USA (i.e., Drexel University, and University of Florida and Canada (McGIll University, Simon Fraser University and Dalhousie University). My active client list include Cambrian Bio, the Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Arbolus, AlphaSights and Quadrant Strategies.
My core work philosophy is to enable data-driven decision-making in the life sciences through the application of innovative computational solutions combined with in-depth interpretations of those results, anchored in my deep knowledge of biology and drug discovery. My consulting capabilities span the entire drug development pipeline from early target discovery and validation through all clinical phases to launched products, across the key business units including pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer heath.
Genomics with a Purpose
I am highly experienced in the design, execution, analysis and interpretation of multi-omics studies geared to pre-clinical and clinical biopharma R&D studies. I have expertise in developing strategic drug discovery solutions using advanced data analytics to multidimensional datasets. These include human genetics, next generation sequencing (NGS – transcriptomics, single-cell genomics, whole genome sequencing [WGS]), microbial WGS, microbiome metagenomics, molecular evolution and host-pathogen interactions. As such, I am well versed in the relevant use cases for conventional computational biology and new AI methodologies, such as machine learning (ML) and LLMs.
These capabilities are coupled with my in-depth biological knowledge of diverse therapy areas including viral, bacterial and parasite infections, oncology and metabolic, respiratory, neuro-degenerative and autoimmune diseases. During my biopharma industrial career, I initiated and led numerous, diverse therapeutic discovery projects related to the gut, lung, urogenital and skin microbiome, human immune system-microbial interactions and oncology. I have supported consulting projects across the broad biopharma sectors of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, consumer health, diagnostics, and global health.
Purposeful & Broad Leadership
With my extensive leadership experience in leading matrix teams of specialists in data scientists, biologists, chemists and clinicians, I can help with the planning and implementation of the wider R&D strategy. For example, I can provide expert advice in the build-out, management and integration of in-house computational biology and data science teams.
During the course of my career, I have also supported multiple business development deals from both the large pharma and small biotech perspectives. Thus, I also offer customized deep-dive analyses into specific diseases or technologies, due diligence reviews of data-rooms and strategic planning into specific disease areas, novel biopharma technologies, potential public and private partnerships and more.
Science First
Finally, I have a deep passion for “following the science” and interacting with the wider scientific community. Thus I have attended to my public-facing scientific profile with 120 plus publications, many of which are in the top scientific journals as well as numerous invited presentations. I hold Visiting Scholar positions with Drexel University and University of Florida, both with a focus on AI and multi-omics.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss your consulting project needs — small or large!
Best regards,
James (Jim) Brown, Principal Consultant and Founder