Contineum Therapeutics Names Timothy Watkins as CMO and Head of Development
Contineum Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for neuroscience, inflammation, and immunology (NI&I) disorders, today announced a significant leadership transition as part of its ongoing strategic evolution. The Company has appointed Timothy Watkins, MD, M.Sc., as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Head of Development. Dr. Watkins’ appointment is effective immediately. In this new role, he will be responsible for leading all aspects of clinical development and medical affairs activities across Contineum’s expanding therapeutic portfolio.
Dr. Watkins succeeds Stephen L. Huhn, MD, who has served as Contineum’s Chief Medical Officer since early 2020. To ensure a smooth transition, Dr. Huhn will remain with the Company in an advisory capacity during the leadership handover.
Commenting on the appointment, Carmine Stengone, President and Chief Executive Officer of Contineum Therapeutics, expressed confidence in the Company’s decision to bring Dr. Watkins on board at this critical juncture. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Watkins to our executive leadership team, particularly as Contineum sharpens its focus on advancing differentiated therapies in inflammation, immunology, and fibrotic disease areas,” said Stengone. “Tim’s deep expertise in pulmonology, immunology, and fibrosis, honed over a distinguished career at Gilead Sciences, makes him uniquely suited to lead our clinical development efforts. His proven track record across all phases of clinical research and drug development aligns perfectly with our strategic priorities.”
Stengone emphasized that Dr. Watkins’ leadership comes at a pivotal time for Contineum, as the Company prepares to initiate a Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) during the second half of 2025. “Tim’s leadership will be instrumental as we intensify our clinical activities aimed at delivering novel and transformational therapies for patients who have limited treatment options today,” Stengone added.
The Company also took the opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of Dr. Huhn over the past five years. Under Dr. Huhn’s leadership, Contineum advanced its neuroscience portfolio significantly, including the development of PIPE-307, a selective modulator of the M1 muscarinic receptor, which is currently being evaluated for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and major depressive disorder (MDD) through a partnership with Johnson & Johnson. Additionally, Dr. Huhn played a crucial role in the early-stage clinical translation of PIPE-791, another promising asset in Contineum’s neuroscience pipeline. “Stephen’s expertise and steady leadership were vital to shaping Contineum’s clinical programs and overall growth trajectory. We are deeply grateful for his service and commitment,” said Stengone.
Background and Career Achievements of Dr. Timothy Watkins
Dr. Watkins brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of biopharmaceutical development and academic medicine. Over the past decade, he has held increasingly senior leadership roles at Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD), culminating in his role as Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head for Inflammation, Clinical Development. In this capacity, Dr. Watkins was responsible for overseeing the clinical development of a broad portfolio of assets targeting serious inflammatory and fibrotic conditions, including IPF and advanced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
During his tenure at Gilead, Dr. Watkins led programs across all stages of development—from early-phase proof-of-concept studies to global late-stage clinical trials aimed at regulatory approval and commercialization. His portfolio management skills extended to both internal R&D programs and strategic collaborations with external partners, ranging from large pharmaceutical companies to emerging biotech firms.
Before transitioning into the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr. Watkins built a strong academic foundation in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He served on the faculty at the University of Washington, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and conducted research at the Research Institute of Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle. His academic research focused on translational and clinical studies targeting severe lung diseases and critical illnesses, providing a solid scientific foundation for his subsequent industry career.
Dr. Watkins holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Ohio University, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Science in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology from the University of Washington. His academic achievements and clinical acumen position him exceptionally well to lead Contineum’s ambitious development programs.
Dr. Watkins’ Vision for Contineum’s Future
Reflecting on his appointment, Dr. Watkins conveyed his enthusiasm for joining Contineum at such an exciting time in its growth trajectory. “Contineum is pioneering novel therapies to improve outcomes for patients with serious inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurological diseases,” said Dr. Watkins. “I am impressed with the progress the Company has made in advancing its molecules, many of which are directed toward clinically validated targets with strong scientific rationale.”
Dr. Watkins added, “Patients suffering from diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other serious inflammatory conditions currently have limited therapeutic options. I am honored to join the talented Contineum team and look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to execute on key clinical milestones, beginning with the important Phase 2 trial in IPF and extending into broader programs as we move through 2025 and beyond.”
Equity Awards in Accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
In connection with his appointment, and as an inducement to join the Company, Contineum’s Board of Directors approved the granting of equity awards to Dr. Watkins under stand-alone inducement award agreements, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). These awards were made outside of Contineum’s 2024 Equity Incentive Plan.
Effective as of his start date, April 28, 2025, Dr. Watkins was granted a time-based stock option to purchase 260,000 shares of Contineum’s Class A Common Stock. The exercise price for these options is equal to the closing market price of Contineum’s Class A Common Stock on the date of the grant. The vesting schedule stipulates that 50% of the option shares will vest on the six-month anniversary of Dr. Watkins’ start date. The remaining 50% of the option shares will vest in 36 equal monthly installments over the next three years, subject to his continued employment with Contineum.
In addition, Dr. Watkins was awarded a performance-based stock option to purchase an additional 26,000 shares of Contineum’s Class A Common Stock. These performance-based options are contingent upon the achievement of a specific clinical development milestone during Dr. Watkins’ tenure at the Company.
The structure of these inducement awards reflects Contineum’s commitment to aligning executive compensation with key corporate and clinical milestones, reinforcing a strong performance culture across the organization.
