Brett Monia

Dr. Monia is a founding member of Ionis and is the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Antisense Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine. He is also the Franchise Leader for Programs in Oncology and Rare Diseases at Ionis. As head of Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine, Dr. Monia is responsible for establishing strategic directions for preclinical drug discovery research focused on RNA-directed therapeutic platforms, establishment and supervision of early clinical development strategies, and coordinating research activities with clinical investigators, consultants, and with corporate partners. His contributions include research into the medicinal chemistry and mechanisms of action of oligonucleotide-based drugs in cell culture and in animals, and in the establishment of numerous preclinical and clinical programs, many of which have resulted in clinical proof of concept across a broad range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardio-metabolic diseases, inflammation, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare diseases.  Programs under Dr. Monia’s direct supervision have resulted in the clinical development of more than forty antisense-based drugs to date, resulting in multiple market authorization approvals.

Dr. Monia has also served as President of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS), and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Dynacure Therapeutics and as an adjunct professor of Biology at San Diego State University.

Dr. Monia received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania and B.S. degrees in Molecular Biology and Analytical Chemistry at Stockton State University, in Pomona, New Jersey.