Coya Therapeutics, Inc. announced that founder Howard Berman, Ph.D., has stepped down as Executive Chairman and as a member of the Board, and that Mark H. Pavao has been appointed to the Board as an independent director. Dr. Berman became Executive Chairman in November 2024 as part of a planned CEO transition that established Arun Swaminathan, Ph.D., as the Company?s Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Berman?s departure from the Executive Chairman role was a contemplated next step in that process.
Coya announced that Mark H. Pavao is joining its Board, to fill the Board seat resulting from Dr. Berman?s departure. Mr. Pavao brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the global biopharmaceutical industry and has led global commercial organizations ranging from emerging biotechnology companies to multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical franchises. Throughout his career, he has led commercialization strategy and major product launches across multiple therapeutic areas including neuroscience.
Mr. Pavao has held senior leadership roles at Biotech Value Advisors, LLC, R-Pharm US and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Mr. Pavao currently serves as Chair of the Board of Medical Knowledge Group and as a board member of Perosphere Technologies and MiracleFeet. each effective as of April 1, 2026.
