Local biotech Retrophin Inc. has hired William “Bill” Rote as senior vice president of research and development.
Rote will be in charge of the company’s R&D efforts, primarily tasked with moving the company’s pipeline through clinical development. Rote will also oversee discovery and translational research, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs.
Rote comes to Retrophin from Ardea Biosciences, a local biotech that sold to Big Pharma AstraZeneca Plc for $1.26 billion in 2012. Ardea recently announced layoffs of nearly 200 employees as the San Diego office shuttered its doors.
At Ardea, Rote served as vice president of clinical development, responsible for clinical trial execution and analysis.
Before Ardea, Rote worked at Amylin Pharmaceuticals in various positions, including a role as vice president and site head for research and development.
“Bill has a proven track record of leading successful R&D organizations and advancing innovative assets through all stages of clinical development, as well as supporting commercial portfolios,” said Stephen Aselage, Retrophin’s CEO, in a statement. “Bill’s leadership further strengthens our scientific expertise that continues to be instrumental in shaping the future of the company.”
