Wagner Zago

Biography

Dr. Zago has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since 2017.  He joined Prothena in 2012 when the company was founded, first as Head of Pharmacology and Neuropathology and more recently as Vice President, Head of Research. Between 2006 and 2012, Dr. Zago was Principal Scientist at Elan Pharmaceuticals performing research aimed at developing new therapeutics for CNS disorders, including beta amyloid-targeted therapies and supportive research for the development of natalizumab, which was commercialized by Biogen for relapsing multiple sclerosis. While in this position, between 2009 and 2013, he also served as a Scientist at Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, where he made significant discoveries about vascular changes associated with anti-beta amyloid immunotherapy. Dr. Zago earned his PhD in Pharmacology at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil and was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of California – San Diego and the Burnham Institute. Dr. Zago has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since 2017.  He joined Prothena in 2012 when the company was founded, first as Head of Pharmacology and Neuropathology and more recently as Vice President, Head of Research. Between 2006 and 2012, Dr. Zago was Principal Scientist at Elan Pharmaceuticals performing research aimed at developing new therapeutics for CNS disorders, including beta amyloid-targeted therapies and supportive research for the development of natalizumab, which was commercialized by Biogen for relapsing multiple sclerosis. While in this position, between 2009 and 2013, he also served as a Scientist at Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, where he made significant discoveries about vascular changes associated with anti-beta amyloid immunotherapy. Dr. Zago earned his PhD in Pharmacology at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil and was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of California – San Diego and the Burnham Institute.

Research Interest

Pharmacology and Neuropathology