# Richard Batycky

> Richard P. Batycky, known as Rick, is president and CEO of Nocion Therapeutics, which he joined in August 2018. A chemical engineer educated at Calgary and MIT, he taught at the University of Alberta, helped develop AIR and Alkermes programs, co-founded Civitas Therapeutics, and became Acorda’s chief technology officer following its $525 million Civitas acquisition.

- **Role:** President & CEO at Nocion Therapeutics, Inc.
- **Organizations:** Nocion Therapeutics, Inc., Civitas Therapeutics, Acorda Therapeutics, Pulmatrix, Alkermes, Advanced Inhalation Research, University of Alberta, Penn State University
- **Education:** B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Calgary, S.M. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- **Known for:** Co-founded Civitas Therapeutics, acquired by Acorda for $525 million in 2014., Held scientific, technical, and executive leadership roles across multiple biotechnology companies., Taught fluid mechanics and transport phenomena at the University of Alberta.

## Career timeline

- **1996** — Worked with Blair Jackson as an engineering professor at the University of Alberta.
- **1998** — Director at Advanced Inhalation Research beginning in January; an original employee.
- **1999** — Joined Alkermes through its acquisition of AIR; served as a director.
- **2001** — Became vice president of research and development at Alkermes in September.
- **2007-2009** — Chief scientific officer and senior vice president of research and development at Pulmatrix.
- **2009-2014** — Co-founder and chief scientific officer of Civitas Therapeutics.
- **2011** — Civitas announced $20 million Series A financing and an Alkermes business spinout.
- **2014-2018** — Chief technology officer at Acorda after its $525 million acquisition of Civitas.
- **2018** — Joined Nocion as CEO in August.
- **2019** — Appointed to the Pulmatrix board on November 1, including audit and compensation committee assignments.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Civitas Therapeutics, acquired by Acorda for $525 million in 2014.
- Held scientific, technical, and executive leadership roles across multiple biotechnology companies.
- Taught fluid mechanics and transport phenomena at the University of Alberta.
- Led Nocion during its 2024 Series B financing and subsequent extensions.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Featured in a Big4Bio CEO Q&A and episode 194 of The BioHub by Avetix.
- **2026-05** — Nocion appointed Vineet Agarwal chief business officer.
- **2026-04** — Former Civitas CEO Mark Iwicki joined Nocion’s board.
- **2026-01** — Nocion announced a $23 million extension, taking its Series B total to $93 million, with stated operating runway through 2027.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-batycky-221a7011

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/richard-batycky
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22