Thomas P. Monath

Tom is currently CSO and COO of BioProtection Systems, the infectious disease subsidiary of NewLink Genetics, where he is leading the development of the most advanced Ebola virus vaccine in partnership with Merck. The vaccine was recently shown to provide efficacy after a single dose in Phase 3. He has over 25 years operating experience in the healthcare biotechnology industry and is a former partner in the Pandemic and Biodefense Fund at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Before joining NewLink Genetics, Tom was CMO for Hookipa Biotech, Juvaris and Xcellerex. Between 1992 & 2006, he was CSO and Executive Director of Acambis prior to its acquisition by Sanofi Pasteur, where he directed R&D on vaccines against dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, yellow fever, Clostridium difficile, and smallpox. The dengue vaccine that he invented, Dengvaxia®, was recently approved for human use and is one of four vaccines he developed that are now licensed. He currently serves on the boards of Vaxxinnate, Juvaris, Sentinext, RapidMicro Biosystems, and US Biologic. Before joining the industry, Tom served in the uniformed services of the US Army and US Public Health Service for 24 years prior to retiring as a Colonel. He was Director, Division of Vector-Borne Viral Diseases at the CDC and Prevention and Chief of the Virology Division at USAMRIID. Dr. Monath received his undergraduate degree and MD from Harvard. Tom has received many prestigious awards, including the Nathanial A Young Award (1984), the Richard M Taylor Award (1996), the Walter Reed Medal (2002) and the James H Steele Gold-Headed Cane Award (2015). He has served on numerous government and international committees on infectious diseases, biosecurity, WHO expert committees and the National Vaccines.