Akcea Therapeutics, Inc., a majority-owned affiliate of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that William Andrews, MD, FACP, has joined the company as chief medical officer (CMO), effective immediately. Dr. Andrews will lead medical, clinical and regulatory functions in support of the company's two commercial-stage products TEGSEDI® (inotersen) and WAYLIVRA® (volanesorsen) and will also guide development of the multiple clinical-stage therapeutics in the pipeline. Former CMO Louis St. L. O'Dea, MB, BCh, BAO, FRCP(C), will serve as an advisor to the company to ensure a smooth transition. Dr. Andrews brings to Akcea two decades of life sciences experience in clinical development, medical affairs and medical/commercial strategy, including more than 13 years in rare diseases, and seven product launches. Most recently he served as chief medical officer at Acer Therapeutics where he managed and led clinical development programs for rare diseases including Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Prior to Acer, Dr. Andrews was a principal consultant at Aletheia Lifesciences where he provided biopharmaceutical companies with strategic consulting and product specific work in clinical trial design, clinical development, medical affairs, and pre-market strategy and planning. Before that, he worked at Aegerion Pharmaceuticals as senior vice president of business development and vice president of medical affairs. He also previously worked at Santhera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sepracor, Inc. (now Sunovion Pharmaceuticals).