Professor Ari Zimran is Former Director of the Gaucher Unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. This is the world’s largest referral centre for Gaucher disease, where more than 750 patients are followed and about 350 patients are treated with enzyme replacement therapy. Professor Zimran developed his interest in Gaucher disease during his fellowship at the Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, in La Jolla, California, USA under the mentorship of Professor Ernest Beutler.

Professor Zimran has published more than 290 professional papers and reviews, and has edited three books; he has been a leader in clinical trials for new treatments for Gaucher disease, including Cerezyme, Zavesca, VPRIV and Elelyso.