WIXOM, Mich., June 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rockwell Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:RMTI), a fully-integrated
biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and
services for the treatment of iron replacement, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis, announced today that Robin L.
Smith, MD, MBA has joined the Company’s Board of Directors.
“Robin’s extensive experience as a top-level executive and reputation as a thought leader in healthcare make her
a highly-valued addition to the Rockwell Board," stated Robert L. Chioini, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell. “In addition to
her commercial and business development skills, she also has an extensive network with deep relationships that will be beneficial
as we grow our drug business. We are pleased to have the interest and guidance of a healthcare executive of her caliber as we
continue to build a world class pharma business focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for renal patients
worldwide.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Rockwell at this exciting time,” stated Dr. Robin Smith. “I believe Rockwell has
the potential to deliver significant value while positively impacting the lives of 450,000 renal patients here in the U.S. and 2
million globally. The Company has built a successful commercial business which is well positioned to launch new innovative products
such as Triferic®, one of the most innovative products to come into the renal market in recent years. I look forward to
working with the executive team and the Board and contributing to the execution of both domestic and international growth."
Dr. Smith has extensive strategic, operational and management experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. She
is the former CEO of the NeoStem family of companies1, which she led as CEO from 2006 to 2015 and established as one of
the preeminent healthcare brands focused on the development of cellular therapies. During her tenure, Dr. Smith pioneered the
company’s innovative business model building proprietary cell therapy development and a successful commercial contract and
manufacturing organization. At NeoStem, Dr. Smith raised over $200 million while completing six acquisitions and one divestiture of
a company in the pharmaceutical space that achieved a doubling of revenues during her tenure. Dr. Smith has also held various
board positions and served in senior management roles for numerous medical and healthcare based entities.
In 2008, Dr. Smith founded The Stem For Life Foundation (SFLF), a nonpartisan, 501(c)3 educational organization
devoted to fostering global awareness of the potential for regenerative medicine to treat and cure a range of deadly diseases and
debilitating medical conditions, as opposed to merely treating their symptoms. In 2009, Dr. Smith forged a historic,
first-of-its-kind partnership with The Vatican. The Vatican and SFLF collaborate to create high-profile initiatives that help
catalyze interest and development of cellular therapies that could ultimately reduce human suffering on a global scale. In 2016,
Dr. Smith expanded the foundation to broaden the scope and become an entity under the Cura Foundation, a global charitable
organization which stands as the parent-entity of SFLF and seeks to catalyze funding for the advancement of a wide array of
cellular therapies that enhance cellular health and longevity.
Dr. Smith is a 2016 recipient of the Women of Power and Influence Awards and winner of the 2014 Brava Award,
which recognizes top women business leaders in the Greater New York area. She was also a finalist for the 2014 EY Entrepreneur of
the Year award for the New York area, recognizing entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and success in the areas of innovation,
financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. She also writes a regular column on
healthcare topics for The Huffington Post. Dr. Smith earned an MD degree from Yale University and an MBA from the
Wharton School of Business.
About Rockwell Medical
Rockwell Medical is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney
disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron replacement, secondary hyperparathyroidism and
hemodialysis.
Rockwell’s Triferic is an innovative iron replacement product that is delivered to hemodialysis patients via
dialysate, replacing the ongoing iron loss that occurs during their dialysis treatment. Triferic is added to the bicarbonate
concentrate on-site at the dialysis clinic. Once in dialysate, Triferic crosses the dialyzer membrane and enters the blood where it
immediately binds to transferrin and is transported to the erythroid precursor cells to be incorporated into hemoglobin. Triferic
delivers sufficient iron to the bone marrow and maintains hemoglobin without increasing iron stores (ferritin). Please visit
www.triferic.com or call Rockwell Medical at 800-449-3353 for more information.
Rockwell’s FDA approved generic drug Calcitriol is for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis
patients. Calcitriol (active vitamin D) injection is indicated in the management of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing chronic
renal dialysis. It has been shown to significantly reduce elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Reduction of PTH has been shown to
result in an improvement in renal osteodystrophy.
Rockwell is also an established manufacturer and leader in delivering high-quality hemodialysis
concentrates/dialysates to dialysis providers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad. As one of the two major suppliers in the
U.S., Rockwell’s products are used to maintain human life by removing toxins and replacing critical nutrients in the dialysis
patient’s bloodstream. Rockwell has three U.S. manufacturing/distribution facilities.
Rockwell’s exclusive renal drug therapies support disease management initiatives to improve the quality of life
and care of dialysis patients and are intended to deliver safe and effective therapy, while decreasing drug administration costs
and improving patient convenience. Rockwell Medical is developing a pipeline of drug therapies, including extensions of Triferic
for indications outside of hemodialysis. Please visit www.rockwellmed.com for more information.
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Rockwell’s intention to launch Calcitriol and Triferic following FDA
approval. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,”
“forecast,” “project,” “plan”, “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations,
are forward-looking statements. While Rockwell Medical believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance
should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this
release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and
uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in Rockwell Medical’s SEC filings. Thus, actual results could be
materially different. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
1 NeoStem underwent a name change to Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLBS) in June 2015.
Triferic® is a registered trademark of Rockwell Medical, Inc.
Michael Rice, Investor Relations; 646-597-6979
