At OIS Ignite, our mission is simple: to champion the startups that push ophthalmology forward. This program is designed with early innovators in mind providing a platform to share ideas, connect with investors, and learn from those who have navigated the journey before. We deeply value the creativity and resilience of the startup community, and we’re committed to helping bold ideas take root and grow into the breakthroughs that shape the future of eye care.
2025 AGENDA
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Check-in
10:00 - 10:10 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Presented By:
Maureen Linnemann, Executive Director – OIS
10:10 - 11:10 AM
Smart IP Strategy Across the Ophthalmic Lifecycle
From discovery to commercialization, experts unpack how to protect, expand, and enforce intellectual property that anchors long-term value.
Learn practical tactics for filing, global coverage, and defending claims that sustain investor and partner confidence.
Protecting Value from Day One
Panelists:
Malvina Eydelman, MD, CEO - Collaborative Community on Ophthalmology
Eugene de Juan, MD, Professor - UCSF Department of Ophthalmology
Brian Del Buono, PhD, JD, VP, R&D - Stuart Therapeutics
Moderated By:
John S. Pollack, MD, Partner - Illinois Retina Associates/ Chief Medical Officer - jCyte
Audience Q&A
Expanding and Enforcing IP for Growth
Panelists:
Matthew J. Bresnahan, Partner and Vice-Chairman of Patents and Innovations Department - Wilson Sonsini
John Sholar, JD, CEO - Jcyte
Tyler Train, Principal, Patent Attorney - Fish & Richardson P.C.
Moderated By:
John S. Pollack, MD, Partner - Illinois Retina Associates/ Chief Medical Officer - jCyte
Audience Q&A
11:10 - 12:20 PM
Smart Capital: Funding Vision from Bench to Breakthrough
This session explores creative funding sources, real-world preclinical financing stories, and investor alignment at every stage of growth.
Visionary Capital: Fueling Discovery Without Dilution
Outlines how startups can maximize non-dilutive funding sources such as grants to extend runway and validate early-stage innovation before raising traditional capital.
Presented By:
Leanne Labriola, MD
Overcoming Preclinical Capital Gaps
A real-world example of how an early-stage ophthalmology company navigated resource constraints in the preclinical phase and secured critical funding to advance development.
Moderated By:
Robert Rothman, MD, Partner - InFocus Capital Partners
Aligning the Right Capital at the Right Time in Ophthalmology
Panelists:
Mike Hill, Managing Director - Octane Capital Markets
Theresa Heah, MD, PHD CEO & Co-Founder - Eyexora
Tamir Meiri, MBA, Principal, Venture Investments - JJDC
Moderated By:
Robert Rothman, MD, Partner - InFocus Capital Partners
Audience Q&A
12:20 – 1:05 PM
Networking Lunch
1:05 - 2:05 PM
Trial by Fire: Designing & Executing Ophthalmic Studies That Deliver
From first-in-human to pivotal studies, this session reveals how to design trials that meet regulatory expectations and real-world demands.
CRO and sponsor leaders share lessons on adaptive design, site activation, and partnerships that keep timelines and budgets on track.
Considerations in Moving to First-In-Human and Designing for Approval
Participants:
Richard “Rick” L. Beckman, MD, Principal – RLB, M.D. Consulting, LLC
Malvina Eydelman, MD, CEO- Collaborative Community on Ophthalmology
Moderated By:
Barbara Wirostko, MD, FARVO, CMO & Co-Founder - Qlaris Bio / Co-founder & Medical Advisor - MyEyes / Clinical Adjunct Professor - University of Utah, Moran Eye Center
Trial by Fire: CROs Face the Toughest Start-Up Questions
Panelists:
Ben Burton, President & Chief Executive Officer – Iuvo
Sanjeev Ganatra, Global Head, Ophthalmology - CBCC Global Research
Claire Gelfman, PhD
George Ousler, PhD, Senior Vice President, Anterior Segment – Ora
David Tanzer, Chief Medical Officer – Lexitas Pharma Services (confirmed)
Moderated By:
Barbara Wirostko, MD, FARVO, CMO & Co-Founder - Qlaris Bio / Co-founder & Medical Advisor - MyEyes / Clinical Adjunct Professor - University of Utah, Moran Eye Center
Audience Q&A
2:05 - 2:45 PM
Milestone Mapping: De-Risking the Path from Preclinical to Clinical and Beyond
A candid discussion on how to define, fund, and execute milestones that build investor confidence and maintain strategic flexibility.
Panelists outline how smart planning, cost discipline, and regulatory foresight transform early wins into sustainable momentum.
Panelists:
Doug Faunce, PhD, Executive Director - Head of Search and Evaluation for Eye Care, AbbVie
Francis Lasowski, PhD, C20/20 Innovation Hub
Babak Nemati, Strategic Intelligence
Riad Sherif, MD, CEO - Oculis
Barbara Wirostko, MD, FARVO, CMO & Co-Founder - Qlaris Bio / Co-founder & Medical Advisor - MyEyes / Clinical Adjunct Professor - University of Utah, Moran Eye Center
Moderated By:
Eric Schlumpf, President & CEO – Stuart Therapeutics
Audience Q&A
3:15 - 3:45 PM
Networking Break
3:45 - 4:45 PM
Power Partnerships: Alliances That Accelerate Innovation
Leading strategics and startups share how partnerships—from co-development and licensing to acquisitions—turn breakthrough science into global success stories.
Explore what defines a win-win alliance, how to structure deals that scale, and when to engage or be acquired to maximize long-term value.
Moderated By:
James Murray, Partner - ExSight Ventures
4:45 - 5:15 PM
Boardroom and Beyond: Building the Right Leadership and Guidance Team
Learn how to assemble, structure, and activate a governance team that provides strategic guidance, investor confidence, and the operational insight to scale.
Panelists:
Adrienne Graves, PhD
Andrew Stewart, Bausch + Lomb
JP Hubschman, MD, CEO – Horizon Surgical
Emmett Cunningham, MD, PhD, MPH, MBA
Moderated By:
Firas M. Rahhal, MD, Partner - ExSight Ventures & Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group
Audience Q&A
5:20 - 5:30 PM
Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways
5:30 - 6:30 PM