Veteran medtech executive brings leadership experience across neuromodulation, clinical-stage company building, and commercialization; Founder Kent Leyde to lead technology and product development as CTO
REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Cadence Neuroscience, a clinical-stage company developing a biomarker-guided platform for personalized neuromodulation, announced the appointment of medtech executive Chris Cronin as Chief Executive Officer. Cronin joins as Cadence prepares for clinical evaluation of its investigational Biomarker Targeted Stimulation (BTS) system in focal drug-resistant epilepsy as its first indication, while building the capabilities to develop the platform across additional neurological conditions.
Cronin brings nearly three decades of experience across medical technology, healthcare, finance, business development, and commercialization, including leadership experience in neuromodulation and other complex therapeutic-device categories. Kent Leyde, company founder, will become Chief Technology Officer and continue to lead Cadence’s technology development, product strategy, and key external collaborations.
“Cadence has developed a fundamentally different approach to personalized neuromodulation—using patient-specific biomarkers not only to guide stimulation, but to measure how the brain responds,” said Cronin.
Cronin most recently served as CEO and President of KARDION, a cardiovascular medical technology company, where he led the organization through a critical stage of growth as it moved from first-in-human to pivotal study. Previously, he held executive leadership roles at MOBĒ, helping scale the early-stage healthcare company, and spent more than a decade at Medtronic in leadership roles spanning cardiac and restorative therapies. As a Business Director at Medtronic, he held P&L responsibility across eight countries and regions for one of the company’s largest franchises, with experience spanning neuromodulation modalities including deep brain stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, and intrathecal baclofen.
Cadence’s investigational BTS system is designed to use patient-specific neural biomarkers to inform stimulation and measure the brain’s response to therapy. This biomarker-guided approach is intended to provide clinicians and researchers with real-time physiological feedback that may support more personalized and adaptable neuromodulation.
Cadence is initially evaluating BTS in focal drug-resistant epilepsy, a serious condition in which many patients continue to experience seizures despite available anti-seizure medications and may have limited treatment options. This substantial unmet need makes focal drug-resistant epilepsy an important first indication for clinical evaluation of Cadence’s platform.
“Cadence has developed a fundamentally different approach to personalized neuromodulation—using patient-specific biomarkers not only to guide stimulation, but to measure how the brain responds,” said Cronin. “The company has built a compelling technical and scientific foundation, and I’m excited to work with Kent, the board, clinical collaborators, and the broader team at this pivotal stage as we prepare for an important clinical study in focal drug-resistant epilepsy and build toward the broader potential of the Cadence platform across neurological conditions.”
“Chris’ patient-centered approach to healthcare and medical devices is closely aligned with the way we’ve built Cadence from the beginning,” said Leyde. “He brings deep business and medtech leadership experience at an important point in our growth. I’m pleased to have Chris leading the company while I focus on developing the technology and products at the heart of our work.”
“Cadence has reached an important inflection point,” said Dan Moore, Independent Board Director at Cadence Neuroscience. “The company combines innovative technology with a clear initial clinical focus. Chris’s experience in complex therapeutic-device categories and growth-stage medtech leadership complements Kent’s continued technical leadership, positioning Cadence to execute its clinical plan and build toward future commercialization.”
Cadence’s technology originated from research conducted by a Mayo Clinic Neurology and Neurosurgery team led by Gregory Worrell, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic epileptologist and lead investigator. Cadence is building on this scientific foundation as it advances the BTS system through clinical evaluation.
About Cadence Neuroscience
Cadence Neuroscience is a clinical-stage medical technology company developing a biomarker-guided platform for personalized neuromodulation. Its investigational Biomarker Targeted Stimulation (BTS) system is designed to use patient-specific neural biomarkers to inform stimulation and measure the brain’s response to therapy in real time. Cadence is initially advancing BTS in focal drug-resistant epilepsy, with a long-term goal of developing the platform for additional neurological conditions. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Cadence is building on technology originating from Mayo Clinic research. Cadence is backed by leading healthcare and technology investors, including F-Prime Capital, Jazz Venture Partners, LivaNova, Angelini Lumira Biosciences Fund, and Mayo Clinic. For more information, visit cadenceneuro.com.
Mayo Clinic and Dr. Worrell have a financial interest in the technology referenced in this news release. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education, and research.
Cadence Neuroscience is developing investigational medical technologies that have not been approved or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other health authorities.