Abbie Collins

About Abbie Collins

I am a highly sub-specialized pediatric movement disorders neurologist with additional training and experience in diagnosing and managing rare and ultra-rare neurogenetic and neurometabolic disorders. My primary areas of interest within movement disorders include ataxia, Glut-1 transporter deficiency syndrome, NBIA disorders, leukodystrophies, channelopathies, neurotransmitter disorders and Friedreich Ataxia. I was a site PI for several international drug trials and consulted for several pharmaceutical, biotechnology companies and CROs as a disease expert/Key Opinion Leader. In addition, I presented educational talks at international Investigator Meetings to Principal Investigators, at International Society Meetings, locally to community physicians, medical students, residents, fellows and Attending colleagues, and trained site PIs in primary and secondary endpoints including movement disorders rating scales (BAD, ICARS, UPDRS). I was consistently rated very highly by patients for clinical care activities and truly enjoy speaking engagements. I was in clinical practice for 12.5 years. I made a transition to pharma in December 2020 to be able to push forward therapies for rare and ultra-rare neurological disorders, with a focus on disease-modifying therapies and potential cures. I currently work as a Director in Clinical Development at Ionis Pharmaceuticals. My roles have included designing a FIH Phase 1b/II clinical trial of a disease-modifying ASO in a rare neurological disorder and serving as the Project Team Lead for an ongoing Phase clinical trial in an ultrarare pediatric and adult astrocytic leukodystrophy (Alexander Disease). This involves leading a cross-functional team to manage ongoing study strategy; writing protocol amendments and study specific documents; responding to regulatory, IRB and ethics board queries; presenting at Independent Data Safety Monitoring Study reviews; reviewing study data with the Medical Monitor and Safety physicians; coordinating with Medical Affairs, Commercial, HEOR and Patient Advocacy; and presenting to executive leadership on study status and strategy.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   Jan 2025 — Present

Education

• Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

  Fellowship, Movement Disorders

  2006 — 2008

• University of California, San Francisco - School of Medicine

  Doctor of Medicine - MD, Medicine

  1995 — 2001

• Macalester College

  Bachelors of Arts, Biology

  1991 — 1995

• University of California, San Francisco - School of Medicine

  Residency, Child Neurology Residency Program

  2001 — 2006