TSRI Appoints Richard King as Chief Operating Officer

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has named Richard A. King, formerly president and CEO of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as chief operating officer.

“I am delighted that Richard King will be joining us as the new chief operating officer of TSRI,” said CEO Pete Schultz. “Richard's operating, business and financial background will help us to improve the efficiency and robustness of our operations, create value for TSRI from our collective resources and the talents of our staff, and help guide our strategic planning as we move forward.”

“I am thrilled to be joining TSRI at this exciting time in the evolution of the institute,” said King. “The institute has a strong history of scientific breakthroughs that have resulted in medicines that improve human health. I look forward to supporting the work of TSRI’s scientists in their ongoing efforts to find solutions to challenging diseases.”

King will be in charge of operations on both campuses, including finance, facilities, human resources, research services, sponsored programs and business development.

King has held senior leadership roles in a variety of life sciences commercial operations. Most recently, from 2010 to 2015, he led AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company developing new pain medications.

Prior to AcelRx, King held positions as president and general manager of Tercica, Inc., a biotechnology company (later sold to the Ipsen Group) developing a treatment for children failing to grow, and as executive vice president of commercial operations at Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a firm developing and commercializing prescription products to treat chronic cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory diseases.

A graduate of the University of Surrey (B.Sc., Chemical Engineering) and the Manchester Business School (M.B.A.), King has also worked for Lederle Laboratories, SmithKline Beecham and Solvay Pharmaceuticals. 

Douglas Bingham, who previously held the role of TSRI’s chief operating officer, will continue to serve as part of the executive management team as executive vice president and general counsel.

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