EveryONE Medicines Names Michelle L. Mellion, MD, as New Chief Medical Officer
EveryONE Medicines, a trailblazing biotech company transforming the way individualized therapies are developed for children suffering from ultra-rare and life-threatening neurodegenerative diseases, has announced the appointment of Michelle L. Mellion, MD, as its new Chief Medical Officer. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s evolution as it prepares to initiate its first-in-human clinical trials and build a global clinical infrastructure capable of supporting scalable, personalized therapeutic solutions.
Dr. Mellion joins the company at a pivotal time, bringing with her an extensive background in pediatric neurology, clinical development, and strategic leadership within the biopharmaceutical industry. In her new role, she will oversee the strategic design, execution, and expansion of EveryONE Medicines’ clinical development programs. Her leadership is expected to catalyze the launch of the company’s first clinical trial in the United Kingdom later this year, a program that aims to validate a novel model for individualized treatments targeting multiple genetically driven pediatric neurodegenerative disorders.
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mellion will also be instrumental in developing and implementing the company’s global network of treatment centers. These centers will serve as critical infrastructure for delivering bespoke therapies to children who otherwise face limited or no treatment options. Her appointment signals EveryONE Medicines’ commitment not only to scientific innovation but also to the operational scalability of its platform—a challenge long faced by the field of individualized medicine.
A New Era in Individualized Therapy
Founded on the vision of creating a sustainable, globally scalable framework for individualized treatments, EveryONE Medicines is pushing the boundaries of traditional drug development. The company’s approach addresses a glaring gap in the treatment landscape: the absence of effective therapies for children suffering from ultra-rare genetic neurodegenerative disorders. These conditions often affect only a handful of patients globally, making conventional drug development models economically and logistically unfeasible.
Traditional pharmaceutical pipelines, shaped by commercial incentives and regulatory frameworks optimized for broader populations, often overlook these “n-of-1” diseases. EveryONE Medicines challenges this status quo by leveraging advances in genomics, bioinformatics, and regulatory science to enable a new pathway for individualized therapeutics. Their model centers on the development of Antisense Oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies tailored to each patient’s unique genetic mutation—a revolutionary shift toward truly personalized medicine.
Kent Rogers, CEO of EveryONE Medicines, emphasized the significance of Dr. Mellion’s arrival at this transformative juncture.
“Dr. Mellion is joining at a pivotal moment as we prepare to launch a first-of-its-kind clinical trial in the UK later this year, which is a critical step in demonstrating a new, scalable approach to treating ultra-rare pediatric neurodegenerative diseases,” said Rogers. “Current regulatory pathways are not designed for truly individualized medicines, and Michelle’s deep expertise in navigating these complexities will be invaluable as we work to advance a more proportional framework.”
Rogers further noted that Dr. Mellion’s leadership would be central to expanding EveryONE Medicines’ clinical presence into other geographies, including the European Union and the United States—regions where rare disease regulatory frameworks are evolving to accommodate the next generation of therapeutics.
Strategic Vision Meets Deep Clinical Expertise
Dr. Mellion’s unique blend of academic neurology, clinical practice, and industry leadership positions her as an ideal fit for the company’s ambitious mission. With over two decades of experience spanning neurology, rare disease drug development, and therapeutic innovation, she brings a holistic understanding of both patient care and the scientific rigors of translational medicine.
“EveryONE Medicines is redefining what’s possible for children with ultra-rare diseases by pioneering a sustainable approach to individualized medicine,” said Dr. Josh Ofman, chairman of the board at EveryONE Medicines. “Dr. Mellion’s expertise in neurology and her track record of industry leadership will be central to building the clinical infrastructure needed to efficiently develop, validate, and deliver these therapies at scale. Her guidance will not only accelerate our ability to bring life-changing medicines to more people living with ultra-rare diseases but also set the foundation for a future where no patient is left without options.”
Dr. Mellion echoed these sentiments, expressing her enthusiasm for contributing to a mission that aligns with both her professional expertise and personal passion.
“Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the toll these diseases take on children and families and the limitations of a one-size-fits-all model,” said Mellion. “With ASO therapies and advancements in individualized development pathways, we already have the tools needed to address these complex conditions. I’m proud to join this team to create a new paradigm shaping a new era of individualized treatment grounded in precision, compassion, and clinical excellence.”
Career Highlights and Academic Contributions
Dr. Mellion’s extensive experience spans both academic institutions and top-tier biopharma companies. Prior to joining EveryONE Medicines, she served as Chief Medical Officer at PepGen, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing enhanced delivery oligonucleotide therapeutics for neuromuscular and neurological diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). At PepGen, Dr. Mellion was responsible for leading the development of innovative oligonucleotide-based candidates and driving clinical strategy.
Before PepGen, she held senior roles at Fulcrum Therapeutics, where she served as Executive Medical Director. In this capacity, she led neurology-focused development programs while maintaining clinical responsibilities as a pediatric neurologist affiliated with Tufts Medical Center. Her clinical insights and research experience enabled her to bridge the gap between early-stage development and patient-facing care.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Mellion also held leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Biogen, two companies widely recognized for their contributions to neurology and rare diseases. At Biogen, she was involved in the development of therapies for spinal muscular atrophy and multiple sclerosis, gaining firsthand experience in working through complex regulatory and clinical environments.
Dr. Mellion remains a prominent advocate for the Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) community through her ongoing involvement with the FSHD Society. Her dedication to neuromuscular disorders extends beyond her corporate responsibilities, reflecting a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of patients affected by these rare conditions.
In academia, she previously served as an attending neurologist at the Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic and as an assistant professor of neurology at Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Her clinical practice focused on pediatric patients, further deepening her understanding of the unique challenges faced by children with rare neurological diseases.
Dr. Mellion earned her M.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular Biology at Colgate University. She completed her neurology residency at Brown Medical School and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles published in leading scientific journals, contributing to the body of knowledge shaping the future of rare disease research and treatment.
Building the Future of Pediatric Neurodegenerative Care
The appointment of Dr. Mellion reinforces EveryONE Medicines’ commitment to advancing a paradigm shift in how ultra-rare diseases are treated. By embracing individualized development models and targeting regulatory innovation, the company seeks to redefine how therapeutic equity is achieved for populations previously left behind by traditional frameworks.
As the biotech sector increasingly turns its attention toward the promise of precision medicine, EveryONE Medicines stands at the forefront of a movement that could reshape not only drug development but also healthcare delivery models. The planned clinical trials in the UK are expected to set a precedent for integrating personalized therapies into mainstream clinical practice, potentially opening the door to new policy frameworks and treatment strategies.
In an era where “one-size-fits-all” medicine falls short for many, EveryONE Medicines is proving that a scalable, compassionate, and scientifically rigorous path forward is not only possible—it’s already underway.
