EXHIBIT 99.1

Rockwell Medical Reports 2012 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Fourth Quarter Sales Increase 9.3%

WIXOM, Mich., March 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rockwell Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:RMTI), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis, reported financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

Q4' 2012 Highlights

• Sales were $13.0 million, increasing 9.3% over Q4 2011.
• Gross profit increased 10.2% or $0.2 million over Q4 2011.
• Cash and investments aggregated $4.7 million December 31, 2012.

Full-year 2012 Financial Highlights

• Sales were $49.8 million, up 1.8% over 2011.
• Gross profit margins increased to 13.4%, compared to 11.5% in 2011.
• Gross profit increased 18.6% or $1.1 million, compared to 2011.

Drug Development Highlights

• PRIME study successfully demonstrated a statistically significant 37.1% reduction in ESA use.
• PRIME study successfully met primary efficacy endpoint of % change in ESA from baseline.
• CRUISE-1 top line results projected in Q3 2013 and CRUISE-2 results in early Q4 2013.
• Four successful clinical safety reviews of Phase 3 CRUISE efficacy studies.
• Calcitriol (active vitamin D) 90-day stability data period completed.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, Rockwell incurred a loss of ($54.0) million vs. a loss of ($21.4) million in 2011, due primarily to clinical development expense. Clinical development expense was $48.3 million compared to $17.8 million in 2011

Mr. Robert L. Chioini, Founder, Chairman and CEO stated, "We achieved solid operating performance and continue to make progress in areas that are important to both our near and long term strategic plan. We believe Rockwell is uniquely positioned for growth in its core operating business, and we expect Calcitriol will generate significant additional sales and profit revenue once launched into the commercial market."

In commenting on the Company's recent advancements in its clinical development of its lead investigational drug SFP, Chioini stated, "We are extremely pleased with the results of our PRIME study. Not only does the data demonstrate use of SFP significantly reduces the need for ESA, it supports our belief that SFP will meet the primary efficacy endpoint in the Phase 3 CRUISE clinical studies."

Conference Call Information

Rockwell Medical will be hosting a conference call to review its fourth quarter and 2012 year end results on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 4:30 pm ET. Investors are encouraged to call a few minutes in advance at (877) 383-7438 or to listen to the call on the web at: http://ir.rockwellmed.com/

About SFP

SFP is a unique iron compound that is delivered to the hemodialysis patient via dialysate, replacing the 5-7mg of iron lost during a dialysis treatment. SFP is introduced into the sodium bicarbonate concentrate that subsequently is mixed into dialysate. Once in the dialysate, SFP crosses the dialyzer membrane and enters the bloodstream where it immediately binds to apo-transferrin and is taken to the bone marrow, mimicking the way dietary iron is handled in the human body. In completed clinical trials to date, SFP has demonstrated that it can safely deliver iron and maintain hemoglobin levels, while decreasing ESA use without any increase in iron stores.

About Rockwell Medical

Rockwell Medical is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis.

Rockwell's lead drug candidate in late-stage clinical development is for the treatment of iron deficiency and is called Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP).  SFP delivers iron to the bone marrow of dialysis patients in a non-invasive, physiologic manner via dialysate during their regular dialysis treatment. In order to prevent or treat anemia, sufficient availability of iron and erythropoietin must be present in the bone marrow to generate healthy red blood cells. In completed clinical trials to date, SFP has demonstrated that it can safely deliver sufficient iron to the bone marrow. SFP is currently in ongoing Phase 3 clinical studies (CRUISE-1 and CRUISE-2) to address an estimated $600M U.S. and $1B global market. 

Rockwell is also preparing to launch a FDA approved generic drug called Calcitriol. Calcitriol is active vitamin D injection and indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients. Rockwell intends to enter the vitamin D market in 2013, addressing an estimated $350M U.S. market. 

Rockwell is also an established manufacturer and leader in delivering high-quality hemodialysis concentrates/dialysates to dialysis providers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad. These products are used to maintain human life, by removing toxins and replacing critical nutrients in the dialysis patient's bloodstream.  Rockwell's has three manufacturing and distribution facilities in the United States and its operating infrastructure is a ready-made sales and distribution channel that is able to provide seamless integration into the commercial market for its drug products, Calcitriol and SFP upon FDA market approval. 

Rockwell's exclusive renal drug therapies support disease management initiatives to improve the quality of life and care of dialysis patients and are intended to deliver safe and effective therapy, while decreasing drug administration costs and improving patient convenience.  Rockwell Medical is developing a pipeline of drug therapies, including extensions of SFP for indications outside of hemodialysis. Please visit www.rockwellmed.com for more information. For a demonstration of SFP's unique mechanism of action in delivering iron via dialysate, please view the animation video at http://www.rockwellmed.com/collateral/documents/english-us/mode-of-action.html.

The Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6773

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Rockwell's intention to launch Calcitriol and SFP following FDA approval. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan", "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Rockwell Medical believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in Rockwell Medical's SEC filings. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT: Michael Rice, Investor Relations; (646) 597-6979
         David Connolly, Media Contact; (617) 374-8800