Professor Sue Fletcher AO is a senior principal research fellow at Murdoch University, an adjunct professor and lecturer at the University of Western Australia, and continues her neuromuscular research alongside research in other muscle diseases, neurodegenerative disease and Inherited Retinal Dystrophies.
Prof Fletcher holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Chemistry, and a PhD in Physiology. Her research at the University of Western Australia and Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute (currently the Perron Institute) was as a molecular biologist, studying muscle regeneration and developing therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy where she co-pioneered the development of a novel therapy for the devastating childhood disorder through the design of antisense oligonucleotide therapies.
Her work as co-inventor of Eteplirsen (ExonDys51 ®) became the first FDA-approved drug specifically for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. She is also the co-inventor of Vyondys-53 (previously Golodirsen) which was approved by the FDA in 2019, and Casimersen which has been submitted for FDA approval.
In 2021, Prof Fletcher was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medical research, to neurological science, and to the treatment and support of those with Muscular Dystrophy.
