James Rickard

James Rickard is Chief Scientific Officer of Richmond Research Institute (RRI), where he leads research that advances the science of clinical trials through collaborative programmes spanning multiple therapeutic areas. He is responsible for shaping the Institute's scientific strategy, fostering academic and industry partnerships, and driving research that improves the design, delivery and impact of clinical studies.

James brings more than 20 years of experience across hospital pharmacy, clinical research, biotechnology and academia. He began his career in NHS hospital pharmacy, progressing through large London teaching hospitals before becoming Deputy Chief Pharmacist at Barts Health NHS Trust, where he led pharmacy manufacturing and research and development services across five sites, managing more than 100 staff. Throughout his career, he has supported over 400 clinical trials, with several translational project now in pivotal studies.

He later joined a biotechnology start-up as Chief Scientific Officer, leading the development of regenerative cell therapies and pioneering manufacturing technologies. During this time, he played a key role in translating scientific innovation into commercial value and contributed to changes in UK medicines legislation to support emerging advanced therapies.

Alongside his role at Richmond, James is a Senior Visiting Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at King's College London and serves as a Senior and Expert Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care through his position on the British Pharmacopoeia Commission.

James is passionate about advancing clinical research to address unmet patient need and developing innovative approaches that improve how treatment success is measured, helping to deliver better outcomes for patients.

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About the Richmond Research Institute

The Richmond Research Institute, founded in 2020, exists to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and patient benefit. Through collaborations with healthcare providers, academic institutions and industry partners, the Institute delivers impactful research designed to generate evidence, improve patient outcomes and advance the development of new therapies and healthcare approaches.

Under James's scientific leadership, the Institute is focused on accelerating translational research, supporting innovative investigator-led studies and creating opportunities for research that can deliver real-world benefits to patients sooner.

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