WIXOM, Mich.– Rockwell Medical, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: RMTI), a healthcare company that develops, manufactures, commercializes, and distributes a portfolio of hemodialysis products to dialysis providers worldwide, today announced that Jesse Neri has joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Finance. Mr. Neri will oversee all aspects of Rockwell Medical’s finance organization.
Mr. Neri has over 20 years’ experience leading finance functions at both public and private companies. Prior to joining Rockwell Medical, he was the head of finance at Hemavant Sciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics to improve the lives of patients with blood disorders and hematological malignancies. Previously, Mr. Neri served as Senior Vice President of Finance at Zyla Life Sciences, a public pharmaceutical company with annual revenue of $80 million. As a member of the senior management team, Mr. Neri was responsible for all aspects of its finance organization including SEC reporting, audit, controllership, and strategic planning. While at Zyla, he played a pivotal role in multiple product acquisitions, financings, commercial product launches and regulatory approvals, along with Zyla’s acquisition by Assertio Therapeutics in May 2020. Prior to Zyla, Mr. Neri served as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at Symphony Health Solutions, a private equity-backed market research company with revenues over $200 million. Mr. Neri received a B.S., Business Administration of Finance from Villanova University and an M.B.A. from Drexel University LeBow School of Business.
“Jesse’s extensive experience leading finance organizations within revenue-generating, growth-oriented healthcare businesses will be valuable to Rockwell Medical as we contemplate various avenues of expansion and growth,” said Mark Strobeck, Ph.D., President and CEO at Rockwell Medical. “Additionally, Jesse’s expertise will enhance our ability to continue strengthening our financial and operating infrastructure while advancing our ability to meet our strategic objectives.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Rockwell Medical as its new head of finance at such an exciting time in the Company’s history,” said Mr. Neri. “Rockwell Medical continues to improve its balance sheet and expand its leadership position in the renal healthcare space. I am excited to be part of a team that is focused on innovative, long-term growth strategies that have the potential to positively impact patients and shareholders around the globe.”
The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant of stock options to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Mr. Neri (the “Inducement Grant”) on October 16, 2023 (the “Grant Date”). The Inducement Grant has been granted outside of the Company’s 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan (“Plan”) but remains subject to the terms and conditions of such Plan. The Inducement Grant was granted as an inducement material to Mr. Neri entering into employment with Rockwell Medical in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The Inducement Grant has an exercise price per share that is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Grant Date. The Inducement Grant will vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the Grant Date until fully vested, subject to Mr. Neri’s continued employment through the applicable vesting dates.
