Board of Directors
Jack A. Khattar
Mr. Khattar founded and is the current CEO of Supernus Pharmaceuticals, a company with five marketed products and a robust pipeline of programs in neurology and psychiatry. Prior to founding Supernus, Mr. Khattar served in various positions, including board member, president and CEO of Shire Laboratories Inc., the drug delivery subsidiary of Shire plc. Prior to that, he was an executive officer and the chairman of the management committee at CIMA, a drug delivery company where he was also responsible for business development, corporate alliances and strategic planning. Earlier in his career, Mr. Khattar held several marketing and business development positions at Merck & Co., Novartis, Playtex and Kodak in various locations, including the United States, Europe and the Middle East. In addition, he serves as the chairman of the board of scPharmaceuticals, a board member at Navitor Pharmaceuticals and an advisor to New Rhein Healthcare. Mr. Khattar earned his degrees in marketing, with a BBA from the American University of Beirut and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Khattar founded and is the current CEO of Supernus Pharmaceuticals, a company with five marketed products and a robust pipeline of programs in neurology and psychiatry. Prior to founding Supernus, Mr. Khattar served in various positions, including board member, president and CEO of Shire Laboratories Inc., the drug delivery subsidiary of Shire plc. Prior to that, he was an executive officer and the chairman of the management committee at CIMA, a drug delivery company where he was also responsible for business development, corporate alliances and strategic planning. Earlier in his career, Mr. Khattar held several marketing and business development positions at Merck & Co., Novartis, Playtex and Kodak in various locations, including the United States, Europe and the Middle East. In addition, he serves as the chairman of the board of scPharmaceuticals, a board member at Navitor Pharmaceuticals and an advisor to New Rhein Healthcare. Mr. Khattar earned his degrees in marketing, with a BBA from the American University of Beirut and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jack A. Khattar
Mark H. Breedlove
Mr. Breedlove is general partner for the Breedlove Family Limited Partnership, a family investment partnership and acts as managing partner with specific responsibility for its direct investments in private companies. Since 2006 the partnership has been an angel investor in early stage life sciences companies with five current active interests. Mr. Breedlove has responsibilities as a board member for Cognition Therapeutics and sits on the board of one other life sciences company and one manufacturing company. Mr. Breedlove is also president and CEO of Keystone Profiles, Ltd. which he founded in 2004. Prior to founding Keystone Profiles, Mr. Breedlove served at Qualitor, Inc. as president and COO and board member. Before joining Qualitor, Mr. Breedlove enjoyed a 19-year career with Allied Signal, Inc., and served as corporate officer and member of AlliedSignal’s Corporate Executive Committee while leading Allied Signal’s Friction Materials business, a >$900 million global company with manufacturing plants, distribution centers and engineering labs on five continents. Mr. Breedlove’s charitable activities include board membership for Laurel Highlands Council, Boy Scouts of America; Board President, Beaver County Educational Trust; Co-chair Dean’s Development Council, College of Education, The Pennsylvania State University.
Mr. Breedlove is general partner for the Breedlove Family Limited Partnership, a family investment partnership and acts as managing partner with specific responsibility for its direct investments in private companies. Since 2006 the partnership has been an angel investor in early stage life sciences companies with five current active interests. Mr. Breedlove has responsibilities as a board member for Cognition Therapeutics and sits on the board of one other life sciences company and one manufacturing company. Mr. Breedlove is also president and CEO of Keystone Profiles, Ltd. which he founded in 2004. Prior to founding Keystone Profiles, Mr. Breedlove served at Qualitor, Inc. as president and COO and board member. Before joining Qualitor, Mr. Breedlove enjoyed a 19-year career with Allied Signal, Inc., and served as corporate officer and member of AlliedSignal’s Corporate Executive Committee while leading Allied Signal’s Friction Materials business, a >$900 million global company with manufacturing plants, distribution centers and engineering labs on five continents. Mr. Breedlove’s charitable activities include board membership for Laurel Highlands Council, Boy Scouts of America; Board President, Beaver County Educational Trust; Co-chair Dean’s Development Council, College of Education, The Pennsylvania State University.
Mark H. Breedlove
Susan Catalano, Ph.D.
Dr. Catalano is a pharmaceutical industry executive with 22 years of experience in strategic and operational scientific leadership of neurobiology and oncology drug discovery and development programs. She is currently our chief science officer and member of our board of directors since co-founding our company in 2007. Dr. Catalano guided the discovery and development of CT1812. She also established the International Symposium on sigma-2 Receptors: Role in Health and Disease,” now in its fifth year, authored numerous publications and patents and continues to serve as principal investigator of several National Institute of Health, or NIH, awards, and has served on various NIH review panels in the areas of drug discovery and clinical development for neurodegenerative diseases and on the editorial board of Assay and Drug Discovery Technologies for over 10 years. Previously, she held scientific leadership positions at Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2004 to 2007, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2001 to 2003, and Roche Biosciences from 1999 to 2001.
Dr. Catalano received her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College and Ph.D. in Neurobiology from U.C. Irvine with postdoctoral training at U.C. Berkeley and Caltech.
Susan Catalano, Ph.D.
Aaron Fletcher, Ph.D.
Dr. Fletcher has worked as an independent consultant for the biotech/healthcare equity industry for over 10 years. Dr. Fletcher has a strong understanding of commercial viability in the marketplace through his activities as a healthcare consultant to provide fundamental healthcare intelligence focused on the biotech and medtech sub-sectors. He is the founder and president of Bios Research, a financial services firm that provides public equity research in the healthcare space tailored to institutional firms and large family offices. Dr. Fletcher holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Colorado State University and serves as a professor at Dallas Baptist University where he teaches biochemistry, bioethics and cell biology.
Dr. Fletcher has worked as an independent consultant for the biotech/healthcare equity industry for over 10 years. Dr. Fletcher has a strong understanding of commercial viability in the marketplace through his activities as a healthcare consultant to provide fundamental healthcare intelligence focused on the biotech and medtech sub-sectors. He is the founder and president of Bios Research, a financial services firm that provides public equity research in the healthcare space tailored to institutional firms and large family offices. Dr. Fletcher holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Colorado State University and serves as a professor at Dallas Baptist University where he teaches biochemistry, bioethics and cell biology.
Aaron Fletcher, Ph.D.
Brett P. Monia, Ph.D.
Brett P. Monia, Ph.D. is a founding member and the current CEO of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in antisense drug development. Dr. Monia joined Isis Pharmaceuticals (now Ionis) at the time of its founding from SmithKline & French Laboratories, the predecessor of GlaxoSmithKline. His initial role as senior scientist was followed by director-level positions of increasing responsibility in R&D. In 2018 Dr. Monia was promoted to chief operating officer and SVP of translational medicine and in 2020 to the role of chief executive officer. During his tenure at the company, Ionis has advanced its antisense platform from a nascent technology to one with a recognized potential that has been licensed to pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners worldwide.
Dr. Monia holds Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry and biology from Stockton University and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Brett P. Monia, Ph.D. is a founding member and the current CEO of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in antisense drug development. Dr. Monia joined Isis Pharmaceuticals (now Ionis) at the time of its founding from SmithKline & French Laboratories, the predecessor of GlaxoSmithKline. His initial role as senior scientist was followed by director-level positions of increasing responsibility in R&D. In 2018 Dr. Monia was promoted to chief operating officer and SVP of translational medicine and in 2020 to the role of chief executive officer. During his tenure at the company, Ionis has advanced its antisense platform from a nascent technology to one with a recognized potential that has been licensed to pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners worldwide.
Dr. Monia holds Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry and biology from Stockton University and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Brett P. Monia, Ph.D.
Lisa Ricciardi
Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Ricciardi joined Cognition Therapeutics in March 2019 as a member of the Board of Directors and was appointed CEO in March 2020. She possesses a unique perspective and breadth of knowledge formed during a career working in multiple industry segments, including drug development and commercialization, healthcare services and genomics. She has a proven track record launching large-market therapeutics as well as negotiating financial and business development agreements, from small to multi-billion-dollar deals.
Before her appointment as interim CEO, Ms. Ricciardi served as an advisor at M.M. Dillon, a boutique life sciences investment bank, where she provided counsel to biotech companies on transactions with pharma and biopharma companies. Earlier, she was CEO of Suono Bio, which she led through a Series A fundraising. Ms. Ricciardi held senior business development positions at Foundation Medicine, where she negotiated the $1.03 billion transformational agreement with Roche in 2015, and at Medco, where she was involved in numerous deals including the $29 billion acquisition of Medco by Express Scripts in 2011. She also held positions at Pfizer in global licensing and development as well as in commercial operations, where she was involved in growing the company’s cardiovascular, arthritis/rheumatology and anti-infectives franchises and was responsible for the launches of Norvasc, Zithromax and Trovan.
In addition to her role at Cognition Therapeutics, Ms. Ricciardi is a member of the Board of Directors of United Drug Healthcare Group, a Dublin-based pharmaceutical outsourced supplier. Previous director roles include Sepracor (acquired by Dainippon), Chimerix and Contrafect. Ms. Ricciardi earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in English and religion from Wesleyan University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Management.
Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Ricciardi joined Cognition Therapeutics in March 2019 as a member of the Board of Directors and was appointed CEO in March 2020. She possesses a unique perspective and breadth of knowledge formed during a career working in multiple industry segments, including drug development and commercialization, healthcare services and genomics. She has a proven track record launching large-market therapeutics as well as negotiating financial and business development agreements, from small to multi-billion-dollar deals.
Before her appointment as interim CEO, Ms. Ricciardi served as an advisor at M.M. Dillon, a boutique life sciences investment bank, where she provided counsel to biotech companies on transactions with pharma and biopharma companies. Earlier, she was CEO of Suono Bio, which she led through a Series A fundraising. Ms. Ricciardi held senior business development positions at Foundation Medicine, where she negotiated the $1.03 billion transformational agreement with Roche in 2015, and at Medco, where she was involved in numerous deals including the $29 billion acquisition of Medco by Express Scripts in 2011. She also held positions at Pfizer in global licensing and development as well as in commercial operations, where she was involved in growing the company’s cardiovascular, arthritis/rheumatology and anti-infectives franchises and was responsible for the launches of Norvasc, Zithromax and Trovan.
In addition to her role at Cognition Therapeutics, Ms. Ricciardi is a member of the Board of Directors of United Drug Healthcare Group, a Dublin-based pharmaceutical outsourced supplier. Previous director roles include Sepracor (acquired by Dainippon), Chimerix and Contrafect. Ms. Ricciardi earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in English and religion from Wesleyan University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Management.
Lisa Ricciardi
Stephen Sands
Stephen Sands is the vice chairman of investment banking and chairman of the Global Healthcare Group at Lazard, a leading financial advisory and asset management firm. Mr. Sands has built a 25-year career providing strategic and financial advice to senior executives and boards of directors at leading healthcare and life sciences companies globally. Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Sands was a partner in the healthcare practice of McKinsey & Company. During his career, he has co-founded two life sciences companies: Enzytech (acquired by Alkermes) and Opta Food Ingredients (acquired by Stake Technology). Mr. Sands has also served as director on the boards of several life sciences companies, including National Imaging Associates, Inc. (acquired by Magellan Health Services), and Isogen LLC (acquired by Monsanto). Mr. Sands is a member of the Rockefeller University Council, the Washington University (St. Louis) School of Engineering & Applied Science National Counsel, the National Campaign Committee and the New York Regional Cabinet; a trustee and co-chair of the nominating and governance committee of the New York Hall of Science; and a member of the Columbia University Science Advisory Committee. He earned a B.A. in biology from Oberlin College, a B.S. and M.S. in chemical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from New York University.
Stephen Sands is the vice chairman of investment banking and chairman of the Global Healthcare Group at Lazard, a leading financial advisory and asset management firm. Mr. Sands has built a 25-year career providing strategic and financial advice to senior executives and boards of directors at leading healthcare and life sciences companies globally. Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Sands was a partner in the healthcare practice of McKinsey & Company. During his career, he has co-founded two life sciences companies: Enzytech (acquired by Alkermes) and Opta Food Ingredients (acquired by Stake Technology). Mr. Sands has also served as director on the boards of several life sciences companies, including National Imaging Associates, Inc. (acquired by Magellan Health Services), and Isogen LLC (acquired by Monsanto). Mr. Sands is a member of the Rockefeller University Council, the Washington University (St. Louis) School of Engineering & Applied Science National Counsel, the National Campaign Committee and the New York Regional Cabinet; a trustee and co-chair of the nominating and governance committee of the New York Hall of Science; and a member of the Columbia University Science Advisory Committee. He earned a B.A. in biology from Oberlin College, a B.S. and M.S. in chemical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from New York University.
Stephen Sands
Peggy Wallace
Ms. Wallace joined the Cognition Therapeutics board in January 2017. She is a managing partner at Golden Seeds, a venture capital firm dedicated to raising capital for women entrepreneurs and to encouraging both women and men to become active venture investors. She is a general partner of Golden Seeds Fund and Golden Seeds Fund 2 and works with companies and their board representatives to build a post-investment environment that fosters the growth of companies in the portfolio. Ms. Wallace has more than 25 years’ experience on Wall Street at JP Morgan and other organizations, focusing on complex financial structures, credit, derivatives, mergers and acquisitions, and risk management. She holds a B.A. from The George Washington University.
Ms. Wallace joined the Cognition Therapeutics board in January 2017. She is a managing partner at Golden Seeds, a venture capital firm dedicated to raising capital for women entrepreneurs and to encouraging both women and men to become active venture investors. She is a general partner of Golden Seeds Fund and Golden Seeds Fund 2 and works with companies and their board representatives to build a post-investment environment that fosters the growth of companies in the portfolio. Ms. Wallace has more than 25 years’ experience on Wall Street at JP Morgan and other organizations, focusing on complex financial structures, credit, derivatives, mergers and acquisitions, and risk management. She holds a B.A. from The George Washington University.