Onaitis was previously Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he led the legal, compliance and business development functions. Prior to his seven years at Somaxon, Mr. Onaitis served as Associate General Counsel for the oncology strategic business unit of Biogen Idec Inc. and as Director of Legal Affairs of Elan Corporation, plc. "Matt has broad legal experience with both development-stage and commercial-stage pharmaceutical companies," stated Jeffrey Stein, President and CEO of Trius Therapeutics. "In particular, his background in completing transactions, managing corporate governance and commercial compliance programs and supporting regulatory and commercial operations will strengthen our management team as we prepare for commercialization of tedizolid in the United States, pending regulatory approval."