Arena Pharmaceuticals is set to welcome Robert Hoffman, their former Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, back to the company.

Mr Hoffman will rejoin at the end of August to the position he departed back in March to join Polaris Pharmaceuticals.

Jack Leif, President and CEO, Arena, says Robert has been a “key contributor” in the past and his return “comes at an important time” for the company.

Prior to leaving Arena, Mr Hoffman served as Controller, Vice President, Finance and then Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer before his most recent role after joining the company back in 1997.

“I look forward to again working closely with my colleagues to support Arena’s efforts to seek FDA approval of lorcaserin and to advance select earlier-stage research and development programs,” said Mr Hoffman.

In addition to his future role at Arena, Mr Hoffman also serves as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s small business advisory committee and the Steering Committee of the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers. He is also a former Director and President of the San Diego Chapter of Financial Executives International.