Cognito Therapeutics, Inc.
Cognito Therapeutics develops non-invasive neuromodulation therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer's treatment. The company has raised $322M in funding and employs 70 people. Its Alzheimer's therapy received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and is expected to enter pivotal studies in 2022.
The growth story
Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. grew from 28 to 70 employees between 2021 and 2026, raising $322M along the way, most recently a Series C in March 2026.
About
Cognito Therapeutics creates medical devices that use neuromodulation to treat neurodegenerative diseases and enhance cognitive function. Its lead product targets Alzheimer's disease, aiming to slow cognitive decline and brain volume loss. The technology originated from MIT optogenetics research.
The company has secured substantial funding, with $322M raised through Series C. With 70 employees, it is preparing for pivotal clinical trials of its Alzheimer's treatment in 2022. The FDA granted Breakthrough Device Designation for this therapy, indicating its potential to address unmet medical needs.
Founders and leadership
Operations is Cognito's largest function, with six employees. The company has a median tenure of two years, suggesting moderate turnover. Leadership includes scientific co-founders from MIT, indicating a strong research focus.
The Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. org chart
Christian Howell (Chief Executive Officer) leads 38 mapped leaders with 7 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Research 13 (-13% YoY), Business Development 9 (+80% YoY), Healthcare Services 8 (-27% YoY), Engineering 7 (+133% YoY), Operations 5 (+25% YoY), Sales 3 (+50% YoY).
Talent flow
Cognito recruits heavily from biotech and pharma companies, with Aetion, Woebot Health, Biogen, Novartis, and Eli Lilly being top sources. Employees often move to smaller healthcare startups, with Clara Care and PathMaker Neurosystems being common destinations.
Most common previous employers of Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. staff: Aetion, a Datavant Company (5), Woebot Health (4), Biogen (3), Novartis (3), Eli Lilly and Company (3), Sanofi (2). Former Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. employees most often moved to Clara Care (1), Alpenglow Ventures (1), StayIntheNODE (1), Becoming (1), Forcepoint (1), PathMaker Neurosystems (1).
Alumni worth knowing
The Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. mafia
Cognito alumni have founded five companies, including Becoming and Clara Care, which have grown to 17 and 13 employees respectively. Other ventures include Eratos Therapeutics, Gap Junction Labs, and Cambridge Health Sciences.
5Divya Dhar Cohen, MD, MBA, MPA, was VP of Products until 2023Brent Vaughan, was Chief Executive Officer until 2024Zach Malchano, was President until 2023Aylin Cimenser, was Fellow and Senior Director until 2024Web traffic
Traffic mix: 0% direct, 0% search, 0% social, 0% paid.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 3.50 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 3.60 / 5
- Senior management
- 2.90 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 4.30 / 5
Frequently asked
Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. has 70 employees as of September 2026.
Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. has raised $322M in total, most recently a Series C round in March 2026.
Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2016 by Ed Boyden, Hunter Iaccarino.
Christian Howell (Chief Executive Officer) sits at the top of Cognito Therapeutics, Inc.'s reporting structure, with 7 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. staff are Aetion, a Datavant Company (5 people), Woebot Health (4 people), Biogen (3 people).
Former Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. employees most often move to Clara Care (1), Alpenglow Ventures (1), StayIntheNODE (1).
At least 5 companies have a founder who previously worked at Cognito Therapeutics, Inc., including Becoming, Clara Care, Eratos Therapeutics.
Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. has about 13 people in Research, down 13% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. has about 9 people in Business Development, up 80% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 53 current and 64 former Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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