CAMBRIDGE, Mass.– Cognito Therapeutics, a leader in technology-based therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Christian Howell as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Brent Vaughan, who has been pivotal in establishing Cognito as a leader in neurotechnology since his appointment in 2020.
Mr. Howell joined Cognito in October 2023 as Chief Commercial Officer. As Cognito nears enrollment completion in the HOPE pivotal study for Spectris™, its lead disease-modifying candidate for Alzheimer’s disease, Mr. Howell’s extensive commercialization expertise will be ideally suited to the role as the company focuses on the steps needed to make this therapy accessible to the millions of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
“Christian is an exceptional strategic leader with a proven track record in medical device launches, and I look forward to working closely with him as we position Cognito for this next phase of growth,” said Gerald Chan, ScD., founder of Morningside and Chairman of the Board, Cognito Therapeutics. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Brent for his leadership of Cognito and in building the company from a promising startup into the leading neurotechnology company it is today.”
“I am honored to take on the role of CEO at Cognito, a company that is at the forefront of innovation in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases,” said Christian Howell, CEO, Cognito Therapeutics. “Our mission is to improve the lives of patients and families affected by neurodegenerative diseases. I am committed to leading with a focus on the needs and well-being of those we serve, ensuring that every decision we make is aligned with our core values of serving patients.”
“As one of the fastest-growing diseases in America, what we do next to address the many impacts of Alzheimer’s disease will be critical. Christian’s leadership at Cognito has fostered a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the entire organization,” said Dr. Rick Kuntz, Board Member, Cognito Therapeutics. “His patient-first mentality in the development of this therapy makes him the ideal next leader for Cognito, as the company advances a new therapy for the millions of patients impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.”
Mr. Howell has more than 20 years of expertise in medical devices, where he navigated responsibilities in business development, commercial leadership, product management, market development, and strategy. Prior to joining Cognito, he was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Aetion’s Medical Device and Diagnostic Group. In this role, he was responsible for the commercialization of Aetion’s real-world evidence platform to the medical device and diagnostics industry. During his nearly 15-year tenure at Medtronic, he led Medtronic’s Value-Based Health Care Partnerships organization, as well as P&L responsibility for Medtronic’s Integrated Health Solutions program to improve delivery of care and patient experience with partner health systems.
