ContraFect Corporation announced Lisa R. Ricciardi, the current Chief Operating Officer of the company, was brought in as a possible successor to the current Chief Executive Officer, Steven C. Gilman. Since Dr. Gilman indicated that he would continue to serve as CEO, the company's board of directors decided that the company did not need a COO position at this time and that it would be eliminated by December 31, 2017. As such, Ms. Ricciardi was notified on December 12, 2017 that she would no longer serve as COO. She is expected to serve as an advisor to the company, and to continue to serve as a member of the Board.