Cortexa Therapeutics Founder Nathan Cole Nominated as ''Best Nonprofit Advocate'' by AZ Capitol Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cortexa Therapeutics Founder Nathan Cole Nominated for "Best Nonprofit Advocate" by Arizona Capitol Times
Public voting is open through May 1 to recognize the active-duty Marine, father, and ALS patient advocate driving new hope through science

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — April 21, 2026 — Cortexa Therapeutics today announced that founder Nathan Cole has been nominated for "Best Nonprofit Advocate" by the Arizona Capitol Times as part of its recognition of the Arizonans making a measurable impact on the communities they serve. Public voting is open now and runs through May 1, 2026.

Cole, an active-duty Marine aviator and former infantry corpsman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, was diagnosed with ALS at age 31. Rather than stepping back, he stepped forward, founding Cortexa Therapeutics to confront the disease he lives with and to change what an ALS diagnosis means for the patients and families who will come next.

"People like me don't have time to wait, and neither do the thousands of families navigating this diagnosis right now," said Nathan Cole, Founder of Cortexa Therapeutics. "This nomination belongs to every person in the ALS community who has shared their story, pushed for awareness, and refused to accept that incremental progress is enough. I'm honored to stand with them."

Over 12 years of Naval service, including two deployments in support of the Global War on Terror, shaped Cole's approach to building Cortexa: resilience, purpose, and urgency. He is also a husband to his wife Kara and father to two children under the age of three. That sense of urgency drives the company's scientific mission.

Cortexa Therapeutics is a biotech startup pioneering a new approach to treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Unlike traditional models, Cortexa targets ALS at its root through a dual-pathway strategy addressing excitotoxicity and calcium dysregulation, two overlooked and underfunded mechanisms in the nervous system. The company aims to move its first treatment toward human trials within a year, with potential applications extending to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and frontotemporal dementia.

Cole's advocacy extends well beyond the lab. He recently joined fellow advocates at the Arizona State Capitol for ALS Awareness Day, where he and his family stood alongside patients, caregivers, and supporters to share stories and push for greater recognition of the disease's toll on Arizona families.

The Arizona Capitol Times awards program marks the publication's 120th year covering the leaders, decisions, and debates shaping the state. Community votes determine the winners in each category.

How to vote: Visit https://shorturl.at/N0UTj before May 1, 2026 to cast a vote for Nathan Cole as Best Nonprofit Advocate.

Learn more about Cortexa Therapeutics: https://www.cortexatherapeutics.com/
 
About Cortexa Therapeutics
Cortexa Therapeutics is a biotech startup pioneering a new era in the treatment of ALS and related neurodegenerative diseases. Founded by a Marine Corps officer diagnosed with ALS at 31, Cortexa targets the underlying mechanisms of neuronal degeneration through a precision-driven, dual-pathway approach. The company is committed to rapid translation because ALS patients cannot afford to wait.

Media Contact:
Nathan Cole
Founder, Cortexa Therapeutics
(602) 329-0505
nathan.cole@cortexatherapeutics.com