Dr Yocum will be responsible for leading the clinical development of soluble ferric pyrophosphate (SFP), the company’s proprietary iron maintenance product currently progressing through a US Phase II clinical study, as well as overseeing all aspects of clinical R&D.
Prior to joining Rockwell, Dr Yocum spent 15 years in clinical drug development and project team management within the biopharmaceutical industry. He worked as vice president of clinical development and medical affairs at Halozyme Therapeutics; as vice president of clinical development and medical affairs at Chugai Pharma USA; as executive medical director of clinical research at Ligand Pharmaceuticals and as associate director of clinical research at Gensia.
Robert Chioini, chairman, CEO and president of Rockwell, said: “We welcome Richard to the Rockwell team. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in clinical development and has coordinated clinical drug development processes across the US, Europe and Japan. In addition, he has direct hands-on experience in all stages of the clinical development process, from pre-IND through post-marketing trials.
“We are confident that Richard’s expertise will enable Rockwell to successfully bring SFP to the market, as well as to develop proprietary SFP related extensions to penetrate additional markets.”