R&D | Ophthalmology Innovation Source

The NEI’s Role in Innovation

The National Eye Institute (NEI) spends $675 million annually, mostly on basic science and discovery research. In addition, said Matthew J. McMahon, PhD, Director of the agency’s Office of Translational Research, “We have a clear mandate to help translate these discoveries into clinical medicine and public health improvements.” He points to the agency’s role in…

Translatum Medicus Developing Option To Treat Dry AMD

Clinicians have few treatment options for dry AMD, but Translatum Medicus Inc., is working on an agent, TMi-018, for such an indication. President and CSO Shelley Boyd, MD, FRCSC, explained the company has reverse engineered an animal model to mimic the disease so investigators can test treatments. TMi-018 is a first-in-class transcriptional modulator that is…

NASA-Backed Entity Enlists Industry To Battle Eye Disorders Caused By Space Travel

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 012″] In this week’s podcast, Dorit B. Donoviel, PhD, Deputy Chief Scientist and Industry Forum Lead of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, and Randy McDonald, Founder and President of the Magnum Group, expand on an announcement made at last week’s Ophthalmology Innovation Summit. A new joint effort between industry and…

Dirk Sauer Oversees Novartis’ Promising & Productive Ophthalmic Pipeline

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 011″] As Global Head of Development Franchise Ophthalmics at Novartis, Dirk Sauer has overseen the development of Novartis’ blockbuster Lucentis. Now, his focus is on the pharmaceutical giant’s pipeline of retina compounds, including many in the early stages. Hear how Sauer views innovation, both inside and outside of Novartis. Podcast Guest…

Anido Guides Aerie’s Push To Be A “Very Big Player” In Glaucoma

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 009″] Vicente Anido, Jr., PhD’s career has taken him through large companies and private start-ups. He’s taken life science companies public on two occasions, and he’s seen nearly every perspective of the ophthalmology industry. Today, Anido expects big things for Aerie Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company with two promising treatments for…

WaveTec “Must Have” for Alcon

WaveTec Vision Systems’ CEO, Tom Frinzi, delivered a bottom-line presentation at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit @ASCRS in Boston. His six-minute presentation concentrated on the economic impact of WaveTec’s ORA System with VerifEye and concluded with this thought, “I would submit to you the ORA System with VerifEye is not a nice to have technology, it’s…

Mazzo Muses On The FDA, Google & Failing Fast

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 001″] Jim Mazzo, Chairman and CEO of AcuFocus, offers his insights on why ophthalmology remains a standout sector in life sciences and what investors and entrepreneurs need to do to find success in Medtech. Also, what should we make of Google’s contact lens deal with Novartis? Podcast Guest Jim Mazzo Jim…

2014 OIS@ASCRS Executive Report

BOSTON — The Third Annual Ophthalmology Innovation Summit (OIS@ASCRS) took place on April 24, just prior to the 2014 annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). The purpose of this conference is to support innovation by facilitating deal-flow and business partnerships between CEOs of young companies, investors, corporate executives, physicians,…

The Role of OUS Clinical Studies

Malvina B. Eydelman, MD give her presentation on some of the newest directions coming out of the FDA for device studies in the US followed by a panel discussion on clinical studies in the US vs. clinical studies overseas. Moderator: Gilbert H. Kliman, MD Dr. Gil Kliman leads the medical device investment team at InterWest…

Review of the Ophthalmology Innovation Cycle – Panel Discussion

Join William J. Link, PhD as he leads a panel discussion on the risks associated with the innovation cycle and the lessons learned. Moderators: William J. Link, PhD Bill was Founder, Chairman and CEO of Chiron Vision, sold in 1997. Bill founded and served as President of American Medical Optics (AMO), sold in 1986. View…

Next Generation Ocular Drug Delivery Platforms

The human eye measures approximately one inch in diameter, but traversing that blink-of-an-eye distance to achieve safe, effective and stable delivery of ophthalmology drugs via minimally or non-invasive medical devices to treat major eye diseases has taken more than 40 years to accomplish. Is the wait for a Holy Grail product in ophthalmology medical technology…

OIS@AAO 2013 Executive Summary

More than 800 attendees participated in the fifth annual Ophthalmology Innovation Summit, held November 14, 2013, just prior to the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans, LA. The full-day focus on innovation in ophthalmology included private pharmaceutical and device company showcases and stimulating discussions with venture capitalists, specialists in public…