Mark Smith

Dr. Mark Smith is a research psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in basic research and CNS drug development from the lab bench through clinical proof of concept studies. He has been a successful project leader in both discovery and development resulting in approximately 20 investigational new drugs (INDs). Dr. Smith has directed clinical trials aimed at depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, ADHD and agitation in Phase 1 through Phase 2b and has vast knowledge and expertise in drug discovery and development, translational neuroscience, clinical trial design and regulatory interactions. Prior to Dr. Smith serving as Chief Medical Officer of Vistagen, he was the Clinical Lead for Neuropsychiatry at Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he was accountable for the strategy and clinical development of neuropsychiatric drugs through all phases of development with a focus on schizophrenia, sleep disorders and agitation. Dr. Smith also held a range of director positions including Executive Director of Clinical Development at AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Company where he led the early development of several novel chemical entities targeting treatment-resistant depression, anxiety and schizophrenia Dr. Smith received his Bachelor’s degree and Master of Science from Yale University, his Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of California, San Diego and completed his residency in the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center.