A biopharmaceutical company focused on developing medication to treat itchy skin has announced the hiring of a veteran in-house lawyer.

Redwood City, California-based Menlo Therapeutics Inc. has brought on Ronald Krasnow as its general counsel and chief compliance officer.

In his new role, Krasnow will oversee all of the company's legal activities, including intellectual property portfolio development; support the company's commercial, clinical, regulatory, manufacturing and development functions; and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, according to a statement announcing his hire.

Prior to joining Menlo, Krasnow, who could not immediately be reached for comment, held GC roles at smart-tinting glass business Kinestral Technologies Inc. for more than a year and at Relypsa Inc. for nearly 10 years, during which he oversaw the legal activities associated with the biotech startup's initial public offering and its acquisition.

That experience may prove useful to Krasnow in his new position. Menlo, as well as some of its officers and directors and underwriters for its April 2018 IPO, face a pair of class action lawsuits, now consolidated, in San Mateo County, California, Superior Court, alleging the registration statement and prospectus for the IPO contained false and misleading statements in violation of federal securities laws, according to a Dec. 31, 2018, filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“We believe the lawsuits are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves,” the document said.

Prior to going in-house at Relypsa in October 2007, Krasnow joined Symyx Technologies Inc. as the first in-house lawyer and worked his way up to senior vice president for intellectual property by the time he left 10 years later, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Krasnow, a graduate of The George Washington University Law School, began his legal career as an associate in the New York office of Fish & Neave, now Ropes & Gray, where he had a complex patent litigation practice.

Menlo's only drug serlopitant is being tested and developed to treat itchy skin associated with psoriasis, prurigo nodularis, or itchy skin nodules that appear on the legs and arms, and chronic itch of unknown origin.

“Ron brings over 20 years of experience as in-house legal counsel, with particular strength in intellectual property law,” Steve Basta, Menlo's chief executive officer, said in the statement. “He has also overseen the legal activities related to a commercial drug launch, including compliance, market access contracting, and commercial supply agreements. His experience will be valuable to us as we prepare for the launch of serlopitant, if approved, for the treatment of pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis.”