Ionis CEO Brett P. Monia receives 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) today announced that Brett P. Monia, Ph.D., Ionis’ chief executive officer, was awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS), a nonprofit organization that fosters academia and industry-based research and development of oligonucleotide therapeutics. The OTS Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lasting commitment to the field of oligonucleotide therapeutics through education, research and therapeutic application and serve as outstanding examples to new and seasoned members of the field.

A founding member of the OTS, Dr. Monia’s contributions have focused on the medicinal chemistry and mechanisms of action of oligonucleotide-based medicines, as well as the establishment and oversight of numerous preclinical and clinical programs. Dr. Monia joined Ionis as a founding scientist in 1989, subsequently taking on roles of increasing responsibility before becoming the chief executive officer in 2020. At Ionis, programs under Dr. Monia’s direct supervision have resulted in the approval of several medicines for serious diseases as well as the clinical development of more than forty oligonucleotide-based medicines in neurological, cardiometabolic and rare diseases. Dr. Monia has published more than 250 primary research manuscripts, reviews and book chapters, and he holds more than 100 patents. Dr. Monia previously served on the Board of Directors and was the OTS President from 2015-2016.

“I have dedicated my entire career to the discovery and development of oligonucleotide-based medicines, and I am proud and humbled to have contributed to the incredible advances we have made for people in need of better treatment options,” said Brett P. Monia, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Ionis. “It has been my deep honor and privilege to have worked alongside many remarkable colleagues, whose contributions helped create a new therapeutic modality that has now helped thousands of people live fuller and healthier lives.”

The award will be presented at the 21^st Annual OTS Meeting in Budapest, Hungary on October 21, 2025. Ionis will also present pre-clinical and clinical research across both oral and poster presentations at the meeting.

“Brett’s work has directly benefitted individuals and families all over the world. His leadership has contributed to significant therapeutic advances and FDA approved medicines, including Ionis’ first targeted delivery medicine for a genetic form of amyloidosis, the first medicine for familial chylomicronemia syndrome and the first RNA-targeted medicine for hereditary angioedema,” said Richard Geary, Ph.D., chief development officer, Ionis and current OTS President. “Under his leadership, Ionis has grown into an industry-leading fully integrated commercial-stage biotech – one that not only prioritizes scientific excellence, but also fosters an unmatched culture of innovation, collaboration and passion for the patient communities that we serve. There is no one more deserving of this accolade than Brett.”

About Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For three decades, Ionis has invented medicines that bring better futures to people with serious diseases. Ionis has marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiometabolic and other areas of high patient need. As the pioneer in RNA-targeted medicines, Ionis continues to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing. A deep understanding of disease biology and industry-leading technology propels our work, coupled with a passion and urgency to deliver life-changing advances for patients. To learn more about Ionis, visit Ionis.com and follow us on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.