Leading ALS Researcher Merit Cudkowicz Brings Expertise to Klotho Neurosciences' Scientific Advisory Board

Pioneering Clinical Authority Strengthens Biotech’s Advisory Capabilities

Klotho Neurosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: KLTO) has expanded its scientific leadership by welcoming Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, a distinguished figure in neurodegenerative disease research, to its Scientific Advisory Board. The appointment underscores the specialty biotechnology firm’s commitment to advancing cell and gene therapies for conditions including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Who Is Dr. Merit Cudkowicz?

Dr. Cudkowicz holds a prominent position as Chair of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and directs the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. As the Julieanne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, she has established herself as a leading clinical voice in neurological research. Her credentials include membership in the National Academy of Medicine, reflecting decades of contributions to the field.

Beyond her institutional roles, Dr. Cudkowicz stands as one of the founding leaders of the Northeast ALS (NEALS) Consortium, a clinical research network comprising more than 150 sites across the United States and Canada. This consortium has become instrumental in conducting collaborative, academically-led clinical trials that advance ALS research and treatment development.

Strategic Addition to Klotho’s Team

The addition of Dr. Cudkowicz signals Klotho Neurosciences’ strategic focus on clinical trial design and execution. Dr. Joseph Sinkule, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Klotho Neurosciences, noted the significance of this collaboration: “Having a clinician of Dr. Cudkowicz’s caliber and influence join our SAB represents a major milestone. Her expertise will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of developing therapies for Lou Gehrig’s disease—a condition for which treatment options remain severely limited.”

The partnership centers on Klotho’s proprietary gene therapy approach, specifically its patent-protected product candidate that expresses the Klotho gene transcribed protein, commonly referred to as s-KL or “secreted Klotho.”

The Urgent Clinical Need

ALS remains one of the most devastating neurodegenerative conditions, with a universally fatal prognosis without intervention. Upon accepting her role on the Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Cudkowicz emphasized the importance of accelerating therapeutic innovation: “There is an urgent and unmet need for breakthrough treatments in ALS. I am committed to supporting Klotho Neurosciences’ efforts to bring a safe, effective, and disease-modifying therapy to patients who have few options available. The company’s proprietary s-KL technology represents a promising avenue for research and potential clinical application.”

About Klotho Neurosciences’ Approach

Klotho Neurosciences operates at the intersection of cell therapy and gene therapy innovation. The company leverages a patented version of the “anti-aging” human Klotho gene alongside a novel delivery system (s-KL/AAV.myo) to develop treatments targeting age-related and neurodegenerative disorders. Beyond its primary focus on ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, the company’s pipeline includes clinical-stage antibody biologics programs for cancer and autoimmune indications, as well as a needle-free drug delivery platform called Nanoject.

The company’s leadership team comprises executives and scientific advisors with extensive experience in bringing biopharmaceutical innovations from laboratory development through commercialization—a critical capability in advancing complex gene therapies to market.

Looking Forward

This advisory board expansion reflects Klotho Neurosciences’ commitment to gathering world-class scientific guidance as it progresses its development programs. With leaders like Dr. Merit Cudkowicz providing clinical perspective and research credibility, the company aims to optimize trial design, regulatory strategy, and ultimately, the path to delivering meaningful therapeutic options for neurodegenerative disease patients.