Coya Therapeutics, Inc. announced the engagement of Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSc as expert clinical advisor. Dr. Cudkowicz is a world-renowned neurologist who has dedicated her career to improving the life of patients with ALS and other serious neurological conditions. Dr. Cudkowicz brings decades of experience supporting the development of new therapies for ALS.

Dr. Cudkowicz is Principal Investigator of the Clinical Coordination Center for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke?s Neurology Network of Excellence in Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT). Dr. Cudkowicz has launched the first platform trial initiative in ALS, the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial, a program that helps accelerate therapy development in ALS. Dr. Cudkowicz received the American Academy of Neurology 2009 Sheila Essay ALS award, the 2017 Forbes Norris Award from the International MND Alliance, the 2017 Pinnacle Award from the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the 2019 Ray Adams American Neurological Association Award.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Cudkowicz mentors many young neurologists in clinical investigation of ALS and related neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Cudkowicz completed her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtained a medical degree in the Health Science and Technology program of Harvard Medical School. She served her internship at Beth Israel Hospital in New York and her neurology residency and fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.

She also obtained a master?s degree in Clinical Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.