The Rhode Island Life Science Hub (RILSH) and Cognito Therapeutics announced the launch of the Rhode Island Brain Health Collaboratory, the third Collaboratory in Cognito's growing national network, following collaborations with the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in 2025 and Ochsner Health in 2026. Together, RILSH and Cognito will partner to establish a first-of-its-kind statewide platform that brings together research, clinical care, industry, and community partners to advance brain health across Rhode Island.
The RI Brain Health Collaboratory is a statewide initiative designed to accelerate research, innovation, and care delivery related to Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions. The Collaboratory will bring Cognito together with Rhode Island health systems, researchers, and community stakeholders to evaluate and deploy Spectris®, Cognito's technology platform, designed to optimize neuromodulation protocols through clinical research, real-world studies, and engagement with providers, caregivers, and patients. The initiative aims to accelerate a new model for brain health research and care.
RILSH will support the integration of Cognito into Rhode Island's life sciences ecosystem, facilitating connections with leading academic institutions, healthcare systems, researchers, and public-sector partners across the state.
"Rhode Island offers a unique environment for innovation because of its ability to bring together stakeholders across healthcare, academia, government, and industry," said Christian Howell, Chief Executive Officer of Cognito Therapeutics. "Through this collaboration, we have an opportunity to generate valuable clinical and real-world insights, engage directly with patients and caregivers, and help advance a new model for brain health innovation that could ultimately benefit people living with Alzheimer's disease and related conditions."
Cognito Therapeutics is advancing a novel category of non-invasive neuroprotective therapies designed to preserve brain function and slow neurodegenerative disease progression. The company has raised more than $220 million in private financing and expects to report results later this year from its pivotal HOPE clinical trial evaluating Spectris®, its investigational therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Spectris AD received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and has demonstrated promising results in earlier feasibility clinical studies, including potential improvements in cognition and function, as well as evidence of slowing brain atrophy, supporting its potential as a first-in-class, potential disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
"Rhode Island can move quickly, and that makes us the right place for new breakthroughs to reach patients first. Nearly all of us have been touched by dementia, and patients have far too few options today. Together with Cognito, Rhode Island will help change that," said Bob Cormier, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. "The Brain Health Collaboratory positions Rhode Island to lead in one of medicine's most urgent frontiers. Non-invasive therapies like the ones Cognito is advancing could change how we treat Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions — offering real hope to the families living with them. By connecting our researchers, health systems, and innovators, Rhode Island is building the foundation for new discoveries and a lasting investment in both our patients and our economy."