Dr. Joe McDonough is the Vice President, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division at the Southwest Research Institute. He has been involved in pharmaceutical development, from discovery through late-stage manufacturing, for more than 30 years. He understands the risks and tradeoffs for decisions made all along the development pathway. He also understands the costs and what kind of institutions are needed to successfully advance new therapeutics to the clinic.
Dr. McDonough is responsible for managing the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division at the Southwest Research Institute. In his role as Vice President, he manages five departments including Pharmaceuticals and Bioengineering, Fire Technology, Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Geosciences and Engineering. He manages the development of antidotes for nerve agent, chlorine, and cyanide and is also involved in programs developing antivirals, vaccines, and pediatric diabetes treatments. Additionally, he has developed novel calcium phosphate nanoparticle systems for small drug, interfering ribonucleic acid (iRNA), and large protein delivery that has been licensed for use in a DNA vaccine. Since 2011, he has served as an army reserve officer billeted to the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Prior to joining SwRI, Dr. McDonough led chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) development efforts for a chiral developmental diabetes compound while at Metabolex, Inc., a small pharmaceutical company. This work resulted in filing of an investigational new drug (IND) application and implementation of a stability program.
Dr. McDonough holds a doctorate in organic chemistry from Texas Tech University and a bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Dallas. He is a member of the editorial board for Military Medical Science Letters. McDonough is an inventor of 16 U.S. patents, four of which have been licensed.
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