SPONSORS
Elite Sponsors
Aerie Pharmaceuticals
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a publicly traded pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of first-in-class therapies for the treatment of glaucoma and other eye diseases. Its lead product includes Rhopressa, a once-daily eye drop for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Rhopressa has been approved by the FDA and Aerie expects to launch the product by mid-second quarter 2018. The company is also developing Roclatan, a once-daily eye drop to reduce IOP that is in Phase III registration trials to treat patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a collaborative research and development agreement with Royal DSM NV. Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Irvine, California.
Alcon
Alcon, the global leader in eye care, provides innovative products that enhance quality of life by helping people worldwide see better. Through Surgical, Pharmaceutical and Vision Care, Alcon offers the world’s widest spectrum of ophthalmic products, helping millions of patients see the world better with clarity, color and beauty.
Carl Zeiss Medical Technologies
Carl Zeiss Meditec, a world-leading medical technology company, supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. It provides complete solutions for diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, innovative visualization solutions for microsurgery, and promising, future-oriented technologies such as intraoperative radiotherapy.
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Johnson & Johnson Vision is committed to improving and restoring sight for patients worldwide. Through their world-leading ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses portfolio, newly acquired cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery (LASIK) and consumer eye health businesses, they now serve more than 60 million patients a day across 103 countries. Dual headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and Santa Ana, California, Johnson & Johnson Vision has more than 8,400 employees worldwide.
Santen
As a global ophthalmology company, Santen specializes in the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical, surgical, and OTC eye care products. With over 3,400 employees and its worldwide headquarters in Japan, Santen continues to provide innovative solutions in glaucoma, retina, uveitis, dry eye, ocular allergy and infection to patients around the world.
Premier Sponsor
Shire
Shire is the leading global biotechnology company focused on serving people with rare diseases and other highly specialized conditions.
Major Sponsors
Allergan
Allergan (NYSE: AGN) is a unique, global pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing high quality generic and innovative branded pharmaceutical products for patients around the world. The Company has approximately 30,000 employees worldwide and maintains global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.
Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight. Bausch + Lomb is a global hallmark for innovation and quality, offering the widest and finest range of eye health products including ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments.
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly pSivida Corp.) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic products in indications with high unmet medical need to help improve the lives of patients with serious eye disorders. The Company has developed 3 FDA-approved sustained-release treatments in ophthalmology. In addition, DEXYCU (dexamethasone intraocular suspension) 9% was approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 9, 2018.
Genentech
Founded 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious or life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California.
Novartis
Novartis is a leading ophthalmology company, with therapies that treat both front and back of the eye disorders, including retina diseases, glaucoma, dry eye and other external eye diseases. In 2016, approximately 200 million patients worldwide were treated with Novartis ophthalmic products.
Piper Jaffray
Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) is a leading investment bank focused on mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, public finance, institutional brokerage, investment management and research. Founded in 1895, the firm is headquartered in Minneapolis with offices across the U.S. and in London, Aberdeen, Zurich and Hong Kong.
Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company based in Tarrytown, New York that discovers, invents, develops, manufactures, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
Sun Ophthalmics is reenergizing eye care. We are a US division of Sun Pharma, a global specialty pharmaceutical corporation with operations in over 150 countries. We focus on your needs as a professional, offering support so you can focus on your patients. Discover a brighter future in eye care.
ThromboGenics
ThromboGenics (Euronext Brussels: THR) is a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments to preserve vision in patients with back of the eye diseases. ThromboGenics’ deep scientific knowledge of diseases affecting the back of the eye has led to the development of a diverse portfolio of novel therapies, including its first commercialized product, Jetrea® (ocriplasmin). The Company’s current pipeline of drug candidates is focused on new disease-modifying treatment approaches to diabetic eye disease.
Supporting Sponsor
Aura Biosciences
At Aura Biosciences, we are developing a new class of therapies to target and destroy cancer cells selectively, while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed. Our first product candidate, AU-011, is a proprietary viral-like particle bioconjugate that is being developed for the treatment of choroidal melanoma. This cancer is the most common intraocular cancer in adults, is life threatening and there are currently no FDA approved therapies. Aura is developing the first targeted therapy that may enable early treatment intervention with vision preservation to dramatically change the outcomes for patients with this rare and life threatening disease.
Clearside Biomedical
Clearside Biomedical, Inc., is a publicly-traded, late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company developing innovative first-in-class drug therapies to treat blinding diseases of the eye using Clearside’s proprietary SCS™ microinjector to reach diseased tissue through the suprachoroidal space. Clearside’s portfolio of clinical/pre-clinical programs for back-of-the-eye diseases include RVO, uveitis, wet AMD and DME.
Innovation Sponsors
AcuFocus
AcuFocus, an ophthalmic medical device company, develops and markets small aperture products. The KAMRA® inlay and the IC-8® IOL are designed to provide patients with a true extended range of vision. The KAMRA inlay is the first FDA approved corneal inlay. The IC-8 IOL is not approved in the U.S.
Alimera Sciences
Alimera Sciences specializes in the research, development and commercialization of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Our commitment to retina specialists and their patients is manifest in our product and development portfolio designed to treat retina diseases. Our sustained release product, ILUVIEN, for the treatment of DME was launched in 2014.
Alimera Sciences
Allegro Ophthalmics is establishing integrin peptide therapy as the next-generation pharmaceutical category for the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases. Currently in multiple Phase 2 studies, Allegro’s Luminate has the potential to provide new treatment options for patients with diabetic macular edema, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascular age-related macular degeneration and vitreomacular traction.
Avedro
Avedro is a privately held pharmaceutical and medical device company advancing the science and technology of corneal cross-linking and refractive correction.
Bio-Tissue
Bio-Tissue® is an industry leader in regenerative medicine. From inception, we have focused on introducing game-changing technology to advance standards of care in ocular surface therapy. We recognize and respect the sophistication of the ocular surface, which is why we remain dedicated to understanding its biology.
CorneaGen
CorneaGen is a mission-driven company, committed to transforming how ophthalmologists treat and care for the cornea. As the world's first cornea-focused company, CorneaGen is leading the way for new medical devices, biologics, therapeutics, and interventions for the treatment of the cornea.
GenSight Biologics
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight lead product candidate, GS010, is in PhaseIII trials in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease leading to irreversible blindness in teens and young adults. GenSight product candidates are designed to be administered in single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery.
Graybug Vision
Graybug Vision is developing novel products for the treatment of people with ocular diseases. The company’s lead product, GB-102, has the potential for twice per year injections to treat patients with neovascular (wet) AMD. Graybug Vision has developed a library of compounds to treat glaucoma per year into the subconjunctiva.
Kala Pharmaceuticals
Kala is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology, with an initial focus on the treatment of eye diseases. Kala has applied the MPP technology to a corticosteroid designed for ocular applications, resulting in two lead product candidates. The product candidates are INVELTYSTM (KPI-121 1%) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery, for which an NDA has been accepted for review by the FDA, and KPI-121 0.25% for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
LacriScience
With our sensors, furnished with an abundance of chemistries, we can accurately identify and quantify a whole suite of ophthalmic disorders such as inflammation(MMP-9), Adenovirus,Tryptase, etc. Discuss bench and clinical data using the advanced stage of development of LacriPen, positioning it as the most versatile diagnostic technology SPR, in the industry.
Lagunita Biosciences
Lagunita Biosciences is a healthcare investment company and incubator that creates and grows early stage companies to commercialize impactful translational science that addresses significant clinical needs. We evaluate opportunities in five key areas that correspond to the strengths and expertise of our team and network: Ophthalmology, protein engineering & drug discovery, surgical devices, optical diagnostics and therapeutics and mobile health.
LumiThera
LumiThera, Inc. is a medical device company focused on treating patients with degenerative eye diseases. The company has significant expertise in the use of photobiomodulation (PBM), for acute and chronic ocular diseases and disorders. LumiThera’s first product, the award winning Valeda™ Light Delivery System, is currently CE Marked in the European Union for the treatment of dry AMD and is in clinical trials.
MC2 Therapeutics
MC2 Therapeutics is a privately held late clinical stage emerging dermatology and eye care company. Using its proprietary new vehicle PAD™ Technology MC2 Therapeutics is developing a pipeline of new topical drugs with unique clinical profiles designed for optimal patient compliance. Lead projects include MC2-01 Cream for psoriasis (US Ph3), MC2-03 Eye Drop for dry eye (pivotal Ph2) and MC2-02 Cream for uremic pruritus (launch expected in 2019).
Nicox S.A.
Nicox is an international ophthalmic company, with two out-licensed commercial-stage products, developing innovative solutions to help maintain vision and improve ocular health. The Company’s strategy is to maximise the potential of its proprietary nitric oxide (NO)-donating research platform and its products and product candidates through in-house development and industry-leading collaborations.
Novaliq
Novaliq is a pharmaceutical company for the development and commercialization of first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on EyeSol®, the worldwide first water-free technology for ophthalmology.
Omega Ophthalmics
Omega Ophthalmics, LLC is a startup co-founded by serial entrepreneur, Rick Ifland, and ophthalmologist, Gary Wortz, MD, to develop an entirely new class of intraocular lenses with the goals of improving refractive outcomes and future-proofing the eye for the advancements in the future.
PanOptica
PanOptica is enrolling a phase I/II dose-ranging study with once daily topical anti-VEGF treatment in newly diagnosed patients with neovascular (wet) AMD. Data is expected mid-2019. Co-founders Paul Chaney and Dr. Martin Wax lead a small, experienced development team enabled by the support of SV Health Investors and Third Rock Ventures.
PowerVision
PowerVision has developed a fluid-controlled accommodating IOL designed to restore youthful vision. The FluidVision® AIOL provides True Accommodation™ by mimicking the eye’s natural accommodative process to transport fluids inside it, creating true shape change. The Company has shown in clinical trials that it can deliver clear vision at all distances.
Sight Sciences
In 2011, Sight Sciences was founded to change the way the practice of ophthalmology and optometry thinks about and treats the leading causes of eye disease. Supported by leading medical technology and private equity investors, Sight Sciences operates two business lines: surgical and non-surgical systems. Its surgical product portfolio consists of the OMNI™ Surgical System, TRAB®360 and VISCO360® for use by ophthalmologists. Its non-surgical product portfolio consists of its TearCare™ technologies for use by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
SightGlass Vision
SightGlass Vision, Inc., a clinical stage, start-up biotech/medical device company based in Menlo Park, CA. SightGlass is developing innovative spectacle lenses to reduce progression of myopia in children. Based on research at the University of Washington, SightGlass was founded in 2016 by Prof. Jay Neitz and Prof. Maureen Neitz, world-renowned vision researchers, and Dr. Thomas Chalberg, a serial entrepreneur in the biotechnology and medical device sectors. Myopia is rising rapidly around the world, and by 2050, approximately 5 billion people will be myopic. SightGlass's mission is to reduce myopia progression for millions of children suffering from myopia around the world.
Trial Runners
Trial Runners is an ophthalmology CRO providing biotech and pharmaceutical companies with clinical research management services. During the past 9 years, we have worked on over 50 clinical studies researching innovative ways to manage or cure diseases related to the eye.
Founding Sponsors
Clarus
Clarus is a global investment firm dedicated to life sciences. Founded in 2005, our Portfolio includes public and private companies in the biotechnology and healthcare diagnostic sectors. Clarus is presently managing $2.6 billion.
InterWest Partners
For over 37 years InterWest has partnered with entrepreneurs to build award winning healthcare and technology companies. As we complete investing InterWest X, a $650M fund, we continue to believe that providing capital is just the beginning of a long-term collaboration with entrepreneurs to turn their vision into a thriving company.
Versant Ventures
Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare investment firm committed to helping exceptional entrepreneurs build the next generation of great healthcare companies. The firm invests across the healthcare sector and at all stages of company development, with an emphasis on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. With $1.9 billion under management and offices in North America and Europe, Versant has built a team with deep investment, operating, and scientific expertise that enables a hands-on approach to company building. Since the firm’s founding in 1999, nearly 50 Versant companies have achieved successful acquisitions or IPOs.
Media Partners
Bryn Mawr Communications
Bryn Mawr Communications’ (BMC) eye care publications are uniquely positioned in ophthalmology to serve both physicians’ and industry’s needs.
Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today Europe, Glaucoma Today, Retina Today, MillennialEYE, and CollaborativeEYE showcase in-depth coverage of surgical approaches, device development, pharmacologic innovations, industry trends, and practice management.
By partnering with key opinion leaders, BMC’s eye care publications balance institutional wisdom with fresh perspectives through print magazines, an expansive video library, and timely news feeds. BMC’s in-house production team brings information directly to physicians through live meetings, simulcasted symposia, live surgeries, and more.
Ethis
The mission of Ethis, Inc., is to facilitate global innovation in eyecare by providing strategic analysis, exceptional content across a wide range of media, and an extensive network of key ophthalmic and optometric opinion leaders to our industry and academic partners around the world.
EyeNet
EyeNet is the official newsmagazine of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the premier source among the ophthalmic trade press of credible information for ophthalmologists. EyeNet delivers practical clinical information that can be applied immediately in patient care, plus coverage of a broad range of subjects of interest to ophthalmologists, including business and news —all in a concise, highly readable format. For the 9th year in a row, EyeNet is ranked #1 in High Readers, or the most dedicated readers in the field.
EyeWorld
As the news and feature magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, EyeWorld serves as the premier publication for anterior segment surgeons. The magazine provides comprehensive ophthalmic news and the latest clinical information in the areas of cataract, refractive, cornea, glaucoma, and retina. Each article is carefully reviewed by the editorial staff and the article’s sources before publication. EyeWorld Meeting Reporter/Video Reporter is produced live onsite and contains information on the latest cutting-edge technologies and techniques in the ophthalmic industry. The EyeWorld Education Hub is a new way to view content. Simply choose a disease state to view surgical videos, symposia, webinars, clinical interviews, and articles on that topic.
Healio
Healio.com, the online home of Ocular Surgery News, offers daily news updates, online-only content, extensive CME and specialized email News Wires. Download the new Healio.com/Ocular Surgery News App on iTunes- Search “Ocular Surgery News.” As the best-read newspaper for ophthalmologists, Ocular Surgery News holds a unique place among the eye care publications. With the largest dedicated staff focused solely on ophthalmology, OSN strives to bring our readers a deeper understanding of the news and events that affect their profession.
Market Scope
Market Scope is the leading source for market data, independent perspective, and objective analysis in today’s ophthalmic marketplace.
Market Scope surveys ophthalmologists regarding procedure volumes, surgical techniques, and product use. This data, along with an extensive database, wide-ranging knowledge of ophthalmic products and technology, and comprehensive network of industry contacts, is used to create more than 20 specialized, yearly reports on the ophthalmic industry.
These reports are used to measure performance, make investment decisions, and allocate resources and serve as starting points for many annual planning cycles, strategic plans, acquisition analyses, and return on investment decisions in the industry. Market Scope has been committed to ophthalmology for more than 20 years and continues to be the most highly valued source for accurate and timely information about ophthalmic markets.
Ophthalmology Times
Ophthalmology Times is a physician-driven media brand that presents cutting-edge advancements and analysis from around the world in surgery, drug therapy, technology, and clinical diagnosis to elevate the delivery of progressive eye health from physician to patient. Ophthalmology Times’ vision is to be the leading content resource for ophthalmologists. Through its multifaceted content channels, Ophthalmology Times will assist physicians with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide advanced quality patient care in the global world of medicine.
The Ophthalmologist
Three key characteristics set The Ophthalmologist apart:
First, we tell stories. We’re able to tell some of the greatest stories in ophthalmology – straight from the people leading the work, in order to educate, inform, influence and entertain.
Second, we provide genuine insight. The team gets it. The Editorial team all have an academic biomedical research background, have written the papers and stood at the podium. We speak “doctor”, we “do” research.
Third, we engage with everyone. Insight comes from observation and conversation. We travel the world to meet and hear what ophthalmologists, entrepreneurs, key industry figures and policymakers have to say – and that’s directly reflected in the content.
Retina Specialist
Retina Specialist focuses on the latest advances in the medical management and surgical treatment of diseases of the retina, along with practical, real-world advice from leading clinicians and other experts on the keys to a successful retina practice. The retina specialist value it as a must-read resource from the publishers of Review of Ophthalmology.
Review of Ophthalmology
Review of Ophthalmology is a monthly publication featuring clinically relevant information on surgical technique, new technologies and disease diagnosis and management. Review presents timely articles on ophthalmic subspecialties, such as glaucoma, retina, refractive/cataract surgery, cornea and external disease, pediatric ophthalmology and ocuplastics, as well as current reports on news, regulatory issues, practice management, contact lenses and optical.
touchOPHTHALMOLOGY
touchOPHTHALMOLOGY.com is an independent information resource designed to support physicians, clinicians and related healthcare professionals in continuously developing their knowledge, effectiveness and productivity, with open access articles and multimedia content.
The US Ophthalmic Review is a peer-reviewed, open access, bi-annual journal specializing in the publication of balanced and comprehensive review articles written by leading authorities to address the most important and salient developments in the field of ophthalmology. The aim of these reviews is to break down the high science from 'data-rich' primary papers and provide practical advice and opinion on how this information can help physicians in the day to day clinical setting.
Supporting Organizations
GRF
Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) is a national nonprofit founded in 1978 in San Francisco to encourage innovative research toward better treatments for people with glaucoma. GRF has funded more than $50 million of grants and projects in 35 years. In addition to advancing innovation in glaucoma research, GRF provides education and support for people with glaucoma and sponsors catalyst meetings like the annual Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum to foster collaboration and speed the cure. The Glaucoma Research Foundation mission is to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education, and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
OWL
Advancing Diversity in Leadership. OWL is a 900+ member professional organization focused on leadership development. Our mission is to promote and develop diverse leadership to advance Ophthalmic Innovation and Patient Care. We hold local "OWL Connect" events, online learning sessions and Signature Events at ASCRS and AAO.