Contineum Therapeutics Names Dr. Timothy Watkins as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development, Signaling Strategic Growth in Clinical Pipeline
Contineum Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTNM), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing novel treatments for serious central nervous system (CNS) and immunologic diseases, today announced the appointment of Timothy Watkins, M.D., M.Sc., as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Head of Development. Dr. Watkins brings more than two decades of medical, regulatory, and leadership experience across multiple therapeutic areas, including neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune disorders—areas central to Contineum’s strategic focus.
In his new role, Dr. Watkins will lead the company’s clinical development programs, with a focus on advancing Contineum’s investigational therapies through late-stage clinical trials and regulatory submission. He will also oversee all clinical strategy, medical affairs, and safety operations. His appointment marks a pivotal milestone as the company prepares to expand its pipeline and accelerate the development of its lead candidates, including PIPE-307, an investigational selective antagonist of the muscarinic M1 receptor, which is currently in mid-stage clinical development for multiple sclerosis (MS) and schizophrenia.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Watkins to the Contineum leadership team at this exciting moment in our journey,” said Ben Askew, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Contineum Therapeutics. “Tim’s extensive background in clinical strategy, regulatory affairs, and late-stage drug development will be instrumental as we continue advancing our differentiated pipeline of small molecule therapeutics for CNS and immune-mediated diseases. His proven ability to drive innovation, combined with his patient-centric focus, will strengthen our efforts to deliver life-changing medicines to patients in need.”
Dr. Watkins joins Contineum from Denali Therapeutics, where he most recently served as Head of Clinical Development. At Denali, he played a key leadership role in progressing multiple clinical programs targeting neurodegeneration, including therapeutic candidates for Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Clinical Development at Gilead Sciences, where he led clinical strategy and development for a portfolio of antiviral and inflammatory disease assets, helping drive several programs to late-stage trials and regulatory filings.
“Contineum is uniquely positioned to make a significant impact on diseases of the central nervous system and immune system through its innovative pipeline and scientific rigor,” said Dr. Watkins. “I am excited to join a team that is deeply committed to scientific excellence and to improving outcomes for patients living with serious, underserved conditions. I look forward to working alongside our exceptional team to progress our clinical programs and build on the company’s strong foundation.”
A Strategic Appointment in a Period of Momentum
Dr. Watkins’ arrival comes as Contineum Therapeutics gains increasing recognition for its targeted, mechanism-based approach to drug discovery. The company’s pipeline is rooted in a proprietary platform designed to identify small molecules that modulate GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors), a class of proteins that play a central role in signaling pathways relevant to CNS and immune function.
Its lead asset, PIPE-307, is being evaluated for its potential to restore myelination and modulate neuroinflammation, two key pathological drivers in diseases like MS and schizophrenia. Contineum recently reported encouraging data from a Phase 2 study in patients with relapsing forms of MS, showing favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. The company is also exploring PIPE-307’s application in psychiatric settings, based on emerging evidence linking muscarinic signaling to cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
Dr. Watkins is expected to provide critical leadership as these programs move toward pivotal trials. In addition, Contineum is preparing to nominate a second clinical candidate targeting a distinct GPCR involved in immune regulation, further expanding its footprint in immune-mediated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
“With Tim’s appointment, we are entering a new phase of clinical and operational maturity,” said Askew. “His experience navigating complex regulatory environments, designing adaptive trial protocols, and working cross-functionally with discovery, translational, and commercial teams will greatly enhance our ability to deliver on the promise of our pipeline.”
Deep Clinical Expertise and a Track Record of Impact
Dr. Watkins earned his medical degree from Duke University and holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he also served as Chief Resident.
He began his career in academic medicine and clinical research, focusing on population health and translational research. His transition into the biopharmaceutical industry brought him to Amgen, where he held roles of increasing responsibility in inflammation and oncology development. Over the course of his career, he has led or contributed to the development of several FDA- and EMA-approved therapies and has authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Colleagues who have worked with Dr. Watkins praise his collaborative leadership style, scientific acumen, and commitment to patients. “Tim is an outstanding physician-leader who brings intellectual rigor and humility to everything he does,” said one former colleague at Gilead. “He knows how to build and lead high-performing teams, and he never loses sight of the human impact of the work.”
Reinforcing Contineum’s Long-Term Vision
Contineum’s leadership team views the appointment as a key step in executing its long-term strategy: to become a leader in CNS and immunology drug development by combining high-quality science, translational insight, and operational excellence. With a focus on areas of high unmet need and a strong foundation of discovery capabilities, the company is committed to building a sustainable pipeline capable of delivering durable value to patients and shareholders alike.
In recent months, Contineum has expanded its research infrastructure, forged new academic and industry collaborations, and strengthened its financial position through a successful public listing and follow-on financing. The addition of a seasoned CMO with end-to-end development expertise is expected to further support these initiatives and position the company for successful Phase 3 execution and eventual commercialization.
With multiple clinical readouts expected over the next 12–18 months and a growing team of experienced biotech professionals, Contineum Therapeutics is entering a critical phase of growth. The company plans to initiate additional Phase 2 studies in 2025, while continuing to leverage its platform to discover and validate new targets in neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation.
“We are excited for what lies ahead,” said Askew. “The addition of Dr. Watkins ensures that we have the right clinical leadership in place to translate our scientific innovation into transformative outcomes for patients.”
As Contineum continues to expand its clinical programs and deepen its expertise in key disease areas, the appointment of Dr. Timothy Watkins reflects a clear commitment to clinical rigor, strategic growth, and patient-centered innovation.
