Dr. Keith Gottesdiener served as the CEO of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals from January 2018 until January 2020. He has a background in medicine, holding an M.D. from a respected institution. His leadership came at a key time when Rhythm was filing...

Dr. Keith Gottesdiener served as the CEO of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals from January 2018 until January 2020. He has a background in medicine, holding an M.D. from a respected institution. His leadership came at a key time when Rhythm was filing for FDA approval on new treatments for obesity related to genetic disorders. Dr. Gottesdiener’s tenure also saw him navigating the company through important regulatory processes and overseeing vital medical advancements. A notable aspect of his compensation history includes a significant bonus of $2.75 million in 2018, directly tied to, and reflective of, the company's performance metrics. Interestingly, he left Rhythm shortly after the company made substantial progress with its drug application. His departure was strategic, as he transitioned from CEO to a consulting role, indicating a close alignment with the company's ongoing needs as it moved forward. This transition highlights his interest in continuing to shape the company’s future, albeit from a different position. Dr. Gottesdiener’s expertise in the pharmaceutical sector, combined with his medical background, equipped him to make impactful decisions in a rapidly evolving field.

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1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CEOs

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Keith Gottesdiener, M.D.

Ex-CEO of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Education

M.D. from a recognized institution.

Field of Expertise

Healthcare & Life Sciences - Medicine

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

January 1, 1977 - 48 years ago

CEO of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for

2 years 0 months (Jan 2018 - Jan 2020)

Previous Experience

Various roles at the Company and other organizations in the healthcare space.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Keith Gottesdiener, M.D.

Holdings

See how much did Keith Gottesdiener, M.D. make over time.

During his time at Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Gottesdiener’s wealth was closely tied to the company’s stock performance. In 2019, he was granted options to buy 225,000 shares, which illustrated a high level of investment in the company’s success. His overall...

During his time at Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Gottesdiener’s wealth was closely tied to the company’s stock performance. In 2019, he was granted options to buy 225,000 shares, which illustrated a high level of investment in the company’s success. His overall compensation included a $2.75 million bonus, signaling major achievements in corporate goals. However, by 2020, his holdings and wealth began a notable shift following his separation from the company after the NDA filing with the FDA. This suggests that much of his financial stake was contingent on the full realization of Rhythm’s market potential, reflecting the high stakes involved in biotech leadership.

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Insider Trading

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No insider trades found for this CEO.

Compensation History

See how much did Keith Gottesdiener, M.D. make over time.

In 2018, Dr. Gottesdiener’s compensation included a base salary of $505,519 and a staggering bonus of $2,750,000. This bonus reflected the company's success in meeting its performance goals. However, in 2020, his total compensation sharply dropped to $638,443 as he stepped down, which mainly consisted of severance and other transition-related payments. He didn’t receive any stock options or additional bonuses that year due to his departure. His compensation journey illustrates the highs of leading a biotech company during a crucial phase and the inevitable shifts that happen with leadership changes.

Year

2020

Total Compensation

$638.44K

Salary

$142.91K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is designed to attract, retain, motivate and reward a highly talented executive team within the context of responsible cost management, linking individual/team performance and results to executive compensation.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Dr. Gottesdiener did not receive a bonus for 2020 performance because he separated from the Company during 2020.

Other

$495.54K

Board Justification

Includes cash severance payments, cash payments to cover a portion of healthcare expenses following termination, reimbursement of moving expenses, and reimbursement of attorneys’ fees relating to Dr. Gottesdiener’s separation and consulting agreements paid in 2020.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock awards vested in 2020 as all stock grants were either not vested or not applicable due to separation.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics were not applicable for Dr. Gottesdiener in 2020 due to his separation from the Company.

Other Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

David P. Meeker, M.D.

CEO of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

July 2023 - Present