Biotech company fighting neurodegenerative diseases

In this fascinating episode Founder CEOI had the honor of interviewing Howard Berman, founder and CEO of Coya Therapeutics. Howard told the extraordinary story of the founding of Coya Therapeutics, born from a deeply personal family experience. We delved into his evolution as a business leader, examining his mission-driven approach to healthcare innovation and the challenges and triumphs of taking a biotech company public. Howard’s insights into the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases and the way forward for therapeutic development are truly inspiring. Don’t miss this dynamic conversation highlighting the way forward for healthcare.

Watch the full video interview with the founder and CEO above and read the takeaways below.

Personal influence and family background

• Howard’s mother, a world-renowned expert in cancer prevention, and his father, a triple-licensed physician, have had significant influence on his mission-driven approach.
• The founding of Coya Therapeutics is closely related to the diagnosis and subsequent death of Howard’s father from dementia.

Founding challenges and milestones:

• The idea for Coy got here from a collaboration between Howard and Dr. Stan Appel, a leading expert in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
• The company’s founding coincided with personal tragedy, as Howard’s father died the same week that Coya went public.

Mission-oriented approach:

• Coya Therapeutics is developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases by targeting inflammation through regulatory T cells (Tregs).

The complexity of neurodegenerative diseases:

• Howard emphasized the complexity of diseases like ALS and dementia, which require targeting multiple pathways to be effectively treated.
• Traditional single-mechanism drugs often fail, highlighting the need for modern, multi-pronged approaches.

Therapeutic innovations and developments:

• Coy’s unique approach involves administering two drugs concurrently to deal with the multifaceted nature of neurodegenerative diseases.
• The goal is to prove the effectiveness and safety of those therapies through rigorous clinical trials.

Challenges of the biotechnology market:

• Navigating the biotech market, especially in difficult times like 2022, required smart, modern strategies to secure financing and achieve IPO status.

The evolution of resilience and leadership:

• Howard’s journey from visionary entrepreneur to CEO of a public company required overcoming significant barriers and learning to rely on a talented team.
• His leadership style emphasizes collaboration and trust in experts in their fields to make sure the company’s success.

Strategic development and team building:

• Hiring top talent and fostering a collaborative environment has been critical to Coya’s progress.
• Howard’s experiences underscore the importance of adapting leadership strategies to the changing needs of the company.

The future vision for Coya Therapeutics:

• Howard is committed to proving the effectiveness of Coya 302 in the treatment of Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases reminiscent of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Strategic partnerships with other pharmaceutical firms are a part of Coya’s growth plan to speed up therapeutic development.

Howard Berman’s personal story is inspiring. His resilience as a person and entrepreneur shines through in his stories. These lessons will serve other founders and CEOs well as a reminder of all that comes with the trials and triumphs of starting and running your individual business.