On April 19, 2023, Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. terminated the employment of Mina Sooch, Chief Executive Officer of the company. On April 19, 2023, the Board of Directors of the company appointed Richard Rodgers as the company's interim Chief Executive Officer effective as of April 19, 2023. Richard Rodgers, age 56, has served on the Board since November 2020.

Mr. Rodgers previously served as a member of the board of Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2014 until November 2020. Mr. Rodgers currently serves on the board of directors and as the chair of the audit committee and member of the compensation committee of Ardelyx, Inc., Novavax, Inc., and Sagimet Biosciences, Inc. Mr. Rodgers was previously Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of TESARO, Inc. from March 2010 until August 2013. He served as the Chief Financial Officer from June 2009 to February 2010 of Abraxis BioScience, Inc. which was subsequently acquired by Celgene Corporation.

Prior to that, Mr. Rodgers served as Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of MGI PHARMA, INC., from 2004 until its acquisition by Eisai Co. Ltd. in January 2008. He has held finance and accounting positions at several private and public companies, including Arthur Andersen.

Mr. Rodgers holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Accounting from St. Cloud State University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business.