Contineum Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering differentiated therapies for the treatment of neuroscience, inflammation and immunology (NI&I) indications, announced the appointment of Timothy Watkins, M.D., M.Sc., to the Company’s executive team as its Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development. Effective immediately, Dr. Watkins will lead all clinical development and medical affairs activities at Contineum. Dr. Watkins succeeds Stephen L. Huhn, M.D., who has been the Company’s Chief Medical Officer since early 2020. Dr. Huhn will serve as an advisor during the leadership transition.
“We’re excited for Dr. Watkins to join our executive team as Contineum’s pipeline strategy continues to evolve with an intensified focus in the I&I and fibrotic disease space,” said Carmine Stengone, CEO, Contineum Therapeutics. “His background in pulmonology and distinguished career in immunology and fibrotic disease therapeutic development at Gilead Sciences makes him an exceptional fit to lead our clinical organization. Tim’s track record spans all stages of clinical development. His appointment is timely, as we plan to start a Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the second half of 2025. His leadership will be instrumental as we deepen our focus on clinical development in support of developing novel and transformational therapies for patients.”
Stengone continued, “Dr. Huhn’s expertise was essential to the advancement of our neuroscience portfolio including PIPE-307 in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and depression in collaboration with our partner, Johnson & Johnson, as well as early clinical translation of PIPE-791. We’re grateful to Stephen for his steadfast contributions that helped shape the organization we are today.”
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Dr. Watkins has substantial executive leadership experience spanning the biopharma and academic sectors. Over the past decade, Dr. Watkins advanced to senior level roles at Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD), ultimately serving as the Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head for Inflammation, Clinical Development. In this role, he oversaw assets spanning a broad portfolio including therapeutics directed towards IPF and advanced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Dr. Watkins expertise spans all stages of clinical development including late-stage programs linked to global registration and commercialization. He has also managed strategic business partnerships with both established pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech enterprises. Prior to his tenure at Gilead Sciences, Dr. Watkins held an academic career within the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Washington and the Research Institute of Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle, WA. He focused on clinical and translational research programs in severe lung disease and critical illness. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Ohio University, an M.D. from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Public Heath – Epidemiology from the University of Washington.
“Contineum is pioneering novel therapies to improve outcomes for patients with serious inflammatory, fibrotic and neurological diseases,” said Timothy Watkins, M.D., M.Sc., Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development, Contineum Therapeutics. “I’m impressed with Contineum’s progress advancing molecules directed towards clinically-validated targets for patients with serious diseases where a lack of therapeutic options exist. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues as we embark on key clinical trials in 2025 and beyond.”
Inducement Awards in Accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
On April 28, 2025 (Start Date), Dr. Watkins was granted a time-based stock option to purchase 260,000 shares of Contineum’s Class A Common Stock with an exercise price equal to the closing price of Contineum’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. This option will vest with respect to 50% of the option shares on the six-month anniversary of the Start Date, and the remaining 50% of the option shares will vest in 36 equal monthly installments over the next 36 months, based on Dr. Watkins’ continued service with Contineum through the applicable vesting date. In addition, Dr. Watkins was granted a performance-based stock option to purchase 26,000 shares of Contineum’s Class A Common Stock with an exercise price equal to the closing price of Contineum’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. The option shares subject to this option will vest in full contingent upon the achievement of a certain clinical development milestone during Dr. Watkins’ service to the Company. These options are being made pursuant to stand-alone inducement award agreements outside of Contineum’s 2024 Equity Incentive Plan as a material inducement to Dr. Watkins’ acceptance of employment with Contineum in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
Source: Businesswire