Cogent Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, today announced the appointment of Evan Kearns as Chief Legal Officer. In his new role, Mr. Kearns will oversee all corporate legal operations for Cogent Biosciences.
“I am excited to welcome Evan to the Cogent team as our Chief Legal Officer,” said Andrew Robbins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cogent Biosciences. “Evan’s expert counsel and proven leadership in advising life science companies will be invaluable as we initiate multiple clinical studies of CGT9486 this year while building a research pipeline of novel targeted therapies designed to help patients fighting genetically driven diseases.”
Mr. Kearns joins Cogent with nearly 15 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Cogent, Mr. Kearns served as Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer at Agenus Inc., where he guided the global biopharmaceutical company through multiple clinical and preclinical programs. Previously, Mr. Kearns worked at the Boston office of Goodwin Procter LLP, where he advised both public and private companies in domestic and international transactions including corporate and securities law matters, merger, acquisition and financing transactions, and corporate governance.
“I am thrilled to join the Cogent Biosciences team,” said Evan Kearns, Chief Legal Officer of Cogent Biosciences. “It is an exciting time for the company as we take CGT9486 into three clinical trials this year and expand our discovery pipeline with the recent establishment of the Cogent Research team in Boulder. I look forward to working closely with and advising our talented team as we drive these programs forward to deliver precision therapies for patients with genetically-driven diseases.”
Cogent remains on track with three late-stage clinical trials beginning in 2021, including Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis (1H21), Non-Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis (2H21) and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (2H21). Cogent has a strong existing cash position to support the company’s goals into 2024.
About Cogent Biosciences, Inc.
Cogent Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. Our most advanced clinical program, CGT9486, is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to potently inhibit the KIT D816V mutation as well as other mutations in KIT exon 17. KIT D816V is responsible for driving systemic mastocytosis, a serious disease caused by unchecked proliferation of mast cells. KIT exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. In addition to CGT9486, the newly formed Cogent Research team is developing a portfolio of novel targeted therapies to help patients fighting serious, genetically-driven diseases. Cogent Biosciences is based in Cambridge, MA and Boulder, CO. Visit our website for more information at www.cogentbio.com. Follow Cogent Biosciences on social media: Twitter and LinkedIn. Information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted on our website and Twitter.