Paul Harmatz, MD
Professor
Pediatrics
School of Medicine

paul.harmatz@ucsf.edu

Dr. Paul Harmatz is a gastroenterologist who specializes in mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) and other lysosomal storage diseases (genetic disorders in which a lack of certain enzymes results in progressive damage to cells and organ systems). He leads a team of specialists who diagnose and care for patients with these rare diseases, offering therapies such as weekly enzyme infusion.

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Harmatz's research focuses in particular on promising new treatments for MPS disease. He has led clinical trials to evaluate treatments for a variety of MPS and other lysosomal storage diseases, resulting in approval from the Food and Drug Administration for five specific treatments. He also led the first trial on a drug to treat mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (also called Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome or MPS VI). In addition, he led a trial in which genome editing was done inside a human body for the first time in an effort to change the DNA of a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (also known as Hunter syndrome or MPS II).

Harmatz earned his medical degree from Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. He completed a residency in pediatrics at Harbor – UCLA Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Massachusetts General Hospital. Prior to joining UCSF, he served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School for 12 years.

Harmatz is a member of the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders and American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy. In 2017, UCSF awarded him a medical science career achievement award.

Education & Training

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  • Fellowship Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Massachusetts General Hospital 06/1982
  • Pediatric Residency Harbor UCLA 06/1979
  • MD Medicine Dartmouth Medical School 06/1976
  • AB Human Biology Stanford University 06/1973

Grants and Projects

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Publications (225)

Top publication keywords:
ThalassemiaMucopolysaccharidosis IVGlycosaminoglycansRecombinant ProteinsN-Acetylgalactosamine-4-SulfataseMucopolysaccharidosis IIIChondroitinsulfatasesIduronate SulfataseIron Overloadbeta-ThalassemiaMucopolysaccharidosis VIMucopolysaccharidosis IMucopolysaccharidosesMucopolysaccharidosis IIEnzyme Replacement Therapy

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