Dova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that David Zaccardelli has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Zaccardelli brings substantial specialty pharmaceutical executive leadership and operational expertise, including most notably, serving in several senior management roles at United Therapeutics Corporation. In addition, Jason Hoitt joins Dova as Chief Commercial Officer.

Alex Sapir, the company's prior President and Chief Executive Officer, is no longer President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective as of December 16, 2018. Previously, Dr. Zaccardelli served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Cempra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from December 2016 until the company's merger with Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. From 2004 until 2016, Dr. Zaccardelli served in several senior management roles at United Therapeutics Corporation, including chief operating officer, chief manufacturing officer and executive vice president, pharmaceutical development and operations. Prior to joining United Therapeutics, Dr. Zaccardelli founded and led a startup company focused on contract pharmaceutical development services, from 1997 through 2003.

From 1988 to 1996, Dr. Zaccardelli worked at Burroughs Wellcome & Co. and Glaxo Wellcome, Inc. in a variety of clinical research positions. He also served as director of clinical and scientific affairs for Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals from 1996 to 1997.

Dr. Zaccardelli currently serves on the board of directors of Melinta Therapeutics, Inc., Evecxia Therapeutics and CoreRx, Inc. Prior to Dova, Mr. Hoitt served as Vice President and Head of U.S. sales at Insmed Inc. since 2017. Previously, Mr. Hoitt held roles at Sarepta Therapeutics from 2013 to 2017, including Head of U.S. Sales and Senior Director of Medical Affairs. Prior to Sarepta Therapeutics, Mr. Hoitt, served in various sales and marketing leadership positions at Vertex and Gilead Sciences.