Ohio-based RiverVest Venture Partners, a venture capital firm investing in emerging medical technology and biopharmaceutical companies, has promoted John McKearn, Ph.D., to managing director.

McKearn joined RiverVest in 2008, bringing extensive scientific and operational expertise in pharmaceutical R&D as former president and CEO of Kalypsys. McKearn also held positions as head of discovery research for Pharmacia and Searle as well as senior scientist with E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company.