Ask Acumen

Todd Feaster, PsyD

Senior Clinical Research Scientist

How long have you been at Acumen?

I joined Acumen in April 2022 and have been with the company for 3.5 years. My involvement in Alzheimer’s disease and clinical research began in 2002, when I worked as a neuropsychologist conducting Alzheimer’s assessments in the clinic and was introduced to the world of clinical trials where I became a site rater and sub-investigator for Alzheimer’s and other neurological disease studies. I later transitioned to the vendor side of clinical trials, gaining experience at an eCOA and rater training company. This diverse background enables me to bring a unique perspective to Acumen, having worked in Alzheimer’s research from both the site and vendor sides.

What excites you most about the work you do at Acumen?

I entered the field of Alzheimer’s research shortly after acetylcholinesterase inhibitors were first approved and have since witnessed decades where progress was slow. Now, with the success of Leqembi and Kisunla, alongside continued advances in imaging and biomarkers, there is a renewed sense of optimism in the field. What excites me most about my work at Acumen is contributing to the development of sabirnetug, the first immunotherapy candidate designed to target toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers. Our phase 2 ALTITUDE-AD trial keeps us constantly busy, but it is truly rewarding to collaborate with our dedicated sites, all united in the fight to help people with this devastating disease.

Which of Acumen’s four values (People, Integrity, Innovation, and Perseverance) resonates most with your work and role?

Innovation is a core aspect of my work as a Clinical Scientist. I strive to approach challenges and opportunities at Acumen with a fresh perspective and creative problem-solving. Being at the forefront of developing treatments for a debilitating disease is both inspiring and rewarding.

From your perspective, what sets our company apart in the field of Alzheimer’s research?

There are a lot of great companies, large and small, doing Alzheimer’s research. There are a few things that set Acumen apart for me. First is the small size. I basically know everyone in the company and while I may not get to work closely with everyone, the people at Acumen are one of its greatest assets. Second, I can’t say enough about the expertise and the pleasure of working alongside my colleagues on the Medical team. Additionally, being part of a smaller company allows me to collaborate across different departments, including Clinical Operations, CMC, Regulatory, QA, CMO, and the Bioanalytical Science team. The opportunity to learn and work with these experts is invaluable. Finally, the depth of expertise brought by every individual, from Executive Leadership down, is remarkable. At Acumen, no role is small or insignificant—everyone contributes meaningfully to our mission.

Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your free time?

When I’m not working, I try to stay active and keep up a mostly healthy lifestyle. Most days, I try to work out for at least half an hour and then sauna—the health benefits of a sauna are worth checking out (IYKYK). I love going to New York to catch shows, visit museums, and hunt for amazing food. I also really enjoy traveling—our big adventure this year was 2.5 weeks in Japan for the World Expo, plus plenty of time exploring and eating our way through the Kansai region between Osaka and Kyoto.