Chad J. Swanson, Ph.D., serves as Chief Development Officer at Prothena Corporation plc, a clinical-stage neuroscience company focused on developing novel therapies for protein misfolding diseases such as amyloidosis and Alzheimer’s. With over 20 years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceutical drug development, Dr. Swanson leads Prothena’s clinical development strategy, overseeing the advancement of key pipeline assets including PRX004 (now birtamimab) for AL amyloidosis and PRX005 for ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. His role encompasses clinical operations, regulatory affairs, and cross-functional collaboration to accelerate programs toward regulatory approval and commercialization. Dr. Swanson earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego. He began his career at Isis Pharmaceuticals (now Ionis Pharmaceuticals), where he contributed to the discovery and early development of antisense oligonucleotides. At Biogen, he held progressive leadership roles, including Head of Neuromuscular Development, spearheading the global development and successful FDA approval of SPINRAZA (nusinersen), the first approved therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). He also led the development of tofersen, an investigational therapy for SOD1-ALS, demonstrating his expertise in rare neurological diseases. Under Dr. Swanson’s leadership at Prothena, the company has advanced multiple Phase 3 trials and forged strategic partnerships, positioning it as a leader in amyloidosis therapeutics. His strategic vision has been instrumental in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and integrating biomarker-driven approaches to enhance clinical outcomes, earning him recognition as a key innovator in neurodegenerative drug development.