Rick has been actively involved in drug discovery, metabolism, toxicology and preclinical development for more than 30 years for companies like Celgene, Schering Plough and Merck.  He has more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in areas of toxicology, pathology, drug metabolism, and nonclinical drug development.  Prior to that he also worked with the National Toxicology Program, and the Agricultural Research Unit of the US Dept of Agriculture. He has served as President of the American Board of Toxicology and was active in PhRMA, the Innovation & Quality Board of Directors and the Preclinical Safety Leadership Group. Rick has been responsible for over 200 IND’s and six registered drugs, both in the US and globally.  His experience spans small molecules, biologics, gene therapy, and compounds intended for livestock and aquatic species.  He has experience with health authorities that has spanned pre-IND to Advisory Committee meetings.