You’ve got a game-changing product. They want to back innovators like you. What’s the secret to a happy marriage? More importantly, how to you get a first date?Recorded during OIS Retina@ASRS in San Antonio, Texas, five pharma and finance leaders discuss their current areas of interest, how to secure crucial series A funding, and what’s on the verge of disruption.Tune in today to discover:What’s hot in retina: Dr. Guerard believes multiple compounds can co-exist in the market. A researcher with a great science-backed idea may only need five to ten percent of the market share to build a valuable company. Think niche markets like uveitis; a delivery model for anti-VEGF therapies that lowers patient burden, and gene therapies with clear targets and strong preclinical studies.Advice for early-stage companies: It takes more than great technology to secure funding. Entrepreneurs must have a well-planned roadmap and a solid team, Menzo says. What should that roadmap include? Tune in.Advice for later-stage companies: Dr. Guerard discusses the area where most startups fall short, while Dr. Rahhal advises on how to move to the next inflection point.Other topics covered:How and when to go public? SPAC or reverse merger or IPO?Corporate partnerships: how do you use regional partnerships as funding vehicles and to successfully navigate complex regulatory and reimbursement environments?What’s the next disruptor in retina?The podcast lineup includes:Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, senior managing director at Blackstone Life Sciences (moderator)Fred Guerard, PharmD, CEO of Graybug VisionTsuyoshi (Josh) Chiwata, director of venture management for Santen VenturesAndrew Liu, vice president of global corporate development for Chengdu Kanghong Pharmaceutical GroupJason Menzo chief operating officer for Foundation Fighting BlindnessFiras M. Rahhal, MD, a partner at ExSight Ventures, senior partner at Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group in Los Angeles, and associate clinical professor of ophthalmology at UCLA Geffen School of MedicineHit “Play” to Listen.

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Finding and Funding Assets in Retina, from OIS Retina@ASRS

If you want to predict eye surgery’s future, ask someone who pioneered the techniques used today.For this week’s podcast, Firas Rahhal, MD spoke with OIS Lifetime Innovator Award recipient Stanley Chang, MD, at the recent ASRS meeting about how the techniques he pioneered in the 1980s and 1990s have come full circle. Dr. Chang was the first to use perfluoropropane gas in the management of retinal detachments caused by scar tissue proliferation (PVR) on the retina. In the 1980s, he used SF6 and C3F8 gasses in vitreoretinal surgery. At the time, he wanted to find a longer-lasting gas. Today, drug developers want longer-lasting anti-VEGF therapies.The next cycle of innovation may bring a new gene therapy, drug delivery device, or compound that provides even longer-lasting benefits. To brings those therapies to market, however, Dr. Chang emphasizes that physician-researchers need strong scientific and corporate teams.Listen to this week’s podcast to hear Dr. Chang discuss:What drove the process for the use of perfluoropropane gasses and perfluorocarbon liquids used in retinal surgery.What he views as the future of eye treatment, and why he hopes patient benefit will prevail over dollar volume.The next step for tamponades used in retinal detachment surgery.LinkedIn: Dr. Stanley Chang pioneered the use of gas injection for vitreoretinal surgery. Listen to our latest podcast to hear Dr. Chang’s thoughts on retinal surgery’s past, present, and future.Twitter: Listen to the latest OIS podcast to hear industry pioneer Dr. Stanley Chang discuss retinal surgery’s past, present, and future. Listen Now:

The Next Cycle of Retinal Surgery Innovation, with Stanley Chang, MD

How many patients have chronic dry eye symptoms that persist after you’ve tried every available therapy? They may have an imbalance between the peripheral visual tracking system and central fixation. Jeffrey Krall, OD, an optometrist in Mitchell, South Dakota, discovered the connection between this imbalance and the collection of symptoms associated with digital vision syndrome (DVS). He developed neurolens to test, diagnose, and treat those symptoms.  A life-long tinkerer who comes from a long lineage of optometrists and ophthalmologists, Dr. Krall realized that many patients’ headaches, neck strain, and dry eye symptoms stemmed from an overworked trigeminal nerve. The constant effort exerted by the extraocular muscles to correct eye misalignment stimulates the nerve, leading to pain and strain. OIS Podcast host Paul Karpecki, OD, speaks with Dr. Krall about his experience designing a lens that could correct eye misalignment. Though new to ophthalmic innovation, support from a few eye care and neurology experts helped him move forward, despite skeptics. Early clinical data has removed much of their doubt: In one study 83% of neurolens wearers reported improvement in DVS symptoms. Listen to the podcast today to discover: The organic evolution of Neurolens, including the support he received from eye care leaders such as Vance Thompson and neurologists Andy Corley (now neurolens chairman of the board). The technology behind Neurolens that allows it to measure 10,000 data points to identify and resolve misalignment. What Dr. Krall has found as a trigger for myopia and a possible solution. The Krall family history, which takes place primarily in Mitchell, South Dakota, and involves four generations of optometrists/ophthalmologists and close family bonds.

Solving the Dry Eye Mystery, With Jeffrey Krall, Neurolens

Baruch (Barry) Kupperman, MD, PhD, works as a consultant, professor, and benchtop scientist, but finds the most meaning in the dozens of patients he treats each week.With research interests in dry AMD and drug delivery, Dr. Kupperman held multiple roles in University of California Irvine’s Department of Ophthalmology before becoming the Roger F. Steinert Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology School of Medicine in 2017. Although he spends more time in leadership meetings these days, Dr. Kupperman still devotes time to the pursuit of science and medicine.OIS host Firas Rahhal, MD catches up with Dr. Kupperman after a rare two days off to discuss his career path, the current and future state of drug delivery, and what keeps him awake at night. Dr. Kupperman also discusses his residency and first fellowship (he completed three), which involved treating AIDS patients with retinitis. Administering eye injections to patients weekly — even seeing patients at home when they were too sick to visit the clinic — motivated him to help establish a drug delivery unit at UC Irvine to research more convenient ways to deliver treatments.Listen to the podcast today to discover:More about Dr. Kupperman’s background, his work with AIDS patients, and his purposeful detour into neuroscience.The evolution of drug development and delivery to date and his views on the current state of drug delivery into the retina. He also names the three most promising long-term developments in ophthalmic research.The breadth of innovation happening in Orange County and UC Irvine’s influence in furthering that innovation. The university’s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute spun off several companies, including Glaukos, which developed the first Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) device, iStent, which is now FDA-cleared and commercially available. UC Irvine is also behind stem cell companies and many others.

Following Intellectual Passions, With Dr. Baruch Kupperman

You’ve got a great idea. Now what?It takes years of trial and error to move an ophthalmology product from concept to commercialization. But when you believe your technology could “change the future of cataract surgery,” you’ve got the motivation you need to keep moving forward. After nearly a dozen prototypes, Lexington, Kentucky-based Gary Wortz, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Omega Ophthalmics, has a product that’s producing strong data in early research. The Gemini Refractive Capsule reduces variables in the predictive effect of intraocular intraocular lens implants. The technology fits inside the natural capsular bag once the surgeon removes the cortex. The lens capsule, Dr. Wortz says, is the safest place to implant a medical device because the area has no nerve endings or blood vessels. The technology helps reduce posterior capsular opacification and stunts fibrosis.To date, Dr. Wortz says Omega Ophthalmics has about 100 devices implanted that are well tolerated. The company is currently evaluating next steps.Tune in now to listen to the conversation between colleague and friend Paul Karpecki, MD, and Dr. Wortz. You’ll discover:·         The implementation process for the Omega Gemini Refractive Capsule and the advantages of using “the most important real estate in the body.”·         How Gary balances his medical practice, entrepreneurial endeavors, family life, and personal time. Hint: learn the art of “no.”·         What he learned through nurturing a product to fruition: from the idea, through the “messy middle,” to commercialization.·         How Omega Ophthalmics raised funds without venture capital. 

Revolutionizing Cataract Surgery from Innovation to Commercialization

Damon Burrows isn’t a scientist. And he didn’t start IACTA Pharmaceuticals, an early-stage drug development company, because he believed his discovery could change the world.He founded IACTA because he was free. Free from his role as general counsel at Scilex Pharmaceuticals. And free to bring life-changing ophthalmic therapies to market.When Scilex merged with Sorrento in 2019, he and a team of executives from Allergan, where he previously served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel, moved away from Big Pharma to focus on innovation. Early on, IACTA partnered with Ora Clinical, which gave it depth of reach in asset identification, while the powerhouse executive team he selected helped move those assets forward.As IACTA emerges out of stealth mode with positive early data on its lead product, host Rob Rothman, MD, caught up with Damon to discuss his career evolution, the ocular drug market potential, and IACTA’s promising clinical programs.The newest addition to the IACTA family, IC 800, an ocular pro-wound-healing analgesic, is already causing a stir in the eye care community. The drug system is based on DENKI®s (Dual Enkephalinase inhibitors), which aim to protect pain-inhibiting enkephalins from degradation. When enkephalins concentration increases, a physiological analgesic effect occurs.IACTA’s dry eye franchise, IC 265, is moving forward via a partnership with Hong Kong-based Zhaoke Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Ltd. The company starts enrolling for U.S. and multiregional clinical trials soon.Listen to the podcast to learn more about:The details behind the IC 265 platform what makes it a tolerable anti-inflammatory.The mechanism of action behind IC 800, in development with Pharmaleads, and the formulation progress made to date.How Damon’s legal career led him to general counsel roles at Roche, Allergan, and Scilex.The sage advice Damon received from a colleague that prompted him to assemble a top-drawer leadership team.

From Big Pharma Lawyer to Eye Care Disruptor—IACTA Pharmaceuticals Founder & CEO Damon Burrows

France-based Théa Laboratories may be only 27 years old, but its legacy goes back 150 years. It reaches back to the 1870s, when ophthalmologist Paul Chibret became fascinated with trachoma. He would later help found the French Society of Ophthalmology. Five generations of Chibret doctors and entrepreneurs later, the Chibret family’s passion for eye care has led to the development of one of Europe’s leading eye-care companies. Now led by chairman Jean-Frédéric Chibret, MBA, the company remains independent, family owned, and 100% ophthalmology focused. While honoring those company values, Jean-Frédéric stays focused on growth. Revenue has increased from €150 million in 2008 to €600 million in 2020. The majority of that—75%—has taken place outside France. Théa’s next goal: commercialization in the United States.Listen to Jean-Frédéric’s “fireside chat” with Emmetrope founder Joseph Sullivan to discover:● Théa’s objectives for the next few years in both existing and new markets.● The progress Théa Open Innovation has made implementing licensing agreements and capital investments with early stage partners. The subsidiary has already signed agreements that help advance treatments for myopia, wet and dry age-related macular degeneration and macular edema.●  How Théa became a leader in Europe and how it plans to continue to use its business formula to tap into the U.S. market.

Leading a Young Company with a Five-Generation History with Jean-Frédéric Chibret

With its high concentration of talented engineers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, it’s no surprise innovation is thriving in Israel. Home to a growing number of biotech and engineering firms, Israel has established a thriving ecosystem for ophthalmology startups.This week’s podcast shines a spotlight on that ecosystem, as host Suzana Nahum Zilberberg, Vice Chair of Bio-Light Life Sciences and co-founder of healthcare advisory firm iL.factor, settles in for a series of six-minute chats with six Israel-based innovators.Tune in to hear emerging technology founders, industry leaders, and savvy investors discuss emerging trends, product advancements, and business developments in eye care.The lineup includes:Zack Dvey-Aharon, PhD, cofounder and CEO of AEYE Health, and Kester Nahen, CEO of Notal Vision. The two early startup founders discuss how disruptive technology can help clinic-based eyecare overcome its limitations. They also give sage advice for other entrepreneurs.Anat Loewenstein, MD, Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center; Professor of Ophthalmology, Incumbent of the Sydney A. Fox Chair in Ophthalmology, and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University in Israel, and Ron Schneider, CEO and cofounder of Beyeonics Surgical. The key opinion leaders discuss the advantages of translating defense technologies to medicine, and the key to a successful transition.Nahum Ferera, CEO and cofounder of EyeYon Medical, and Michal Geva, Managing Partner and cofounder of Triventures. Geva, the first woman to found and manage a VC in Israel, discusses the opportunities and challenges in Israel’s ecosystem. Ferera recently completed a successful first round and discusses how he made it happen—with the help of a global team.

Intimate Discussions from OIS Israel Innovation Showcase

Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (DORC) is a world-leading retinal surgical instrument developer. Even so, CEO Pierre Billardon recognizes the company has a fair percentage of United States market share to obtain.To take the private equity-backed company through its next growth phase — the goal is to double its equity in three to five years — Pierre listened to DORC’s surgeon customers, strengthened its team, and improved DORC’s internal and external communication.While innovation remains a key driver for DORC, Pierre remains focused on developing practical solutions. One key example: DORC’s disposable flat vitrectomy lens, a favorite device of host Firas Rahal, MD. In this episode, Dr. Rahal speaks with Pierre about the technology behind TissueBlue, the only FDA-approved selective stain for the ILM, and why it’s superior to using ICG off label for ILM staining.You’ll also discover: ·         How Pierre’s success at HumanOptics, manufacturer of the CustomFlex artificial iris, has informed his position at DORC. CustomFlex is the first ophthalmic device to receive FDA Breakthrough Device designation.·         The engineering behind the EVA Phaco-Vitrectomy system and how it brings LED “light to the eye.”·         How Pierre plans to obtain and maintain market share in a competitive landscape and his vision for the future.·         Why he considers his current leadership role the “job of his dreams.”Listen Now !

Leading a Global Leader, with Pierre Billardon

Donald Korb’s myopia hasn’t affected his renowned ability to observe and to see what’s next.  The renowned researcher, inventor and thought leader in both optometry and ophthalmology is known for discovering and naming Meibomian Gland Dysfunction(MGD), now recognized worldwide as the primary cause of dry eye, and giant papillary conjunctivitis(GPC), a complication from contact lens wear. Those discoveries—not to mention all the other ocular-related conditions he named—changed the face of ophthalmology and optometry. But the most personally satisfying accomplishment was his first breakthrough: creating the first membrane hydrophilic contact lens. From there, he said to host Paul Karpecki, OD, his life took off like the lead character in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: whatever he imagined came to reality. Listen to this week’s podcast for Dr. Karpecki’s in-depth conversation with Dr. Korb. In it, they discuss: How a visit with Polaroid led him to ocular photography and contact lens development. The animal that inspired the first soft contact lens. What it takes (and what it doesn’t take) to be a great inventor. Why treatment by design is the way forward for eye care.  

Living the Dream with Donald Korb, OD

Visus Therapeutics has more than doubled its team in the past two years, including the appointment of six senior leaders in June. CEO Ben Bergo grew that team as the company’s lead product, brimochol, a prescription eye drop designed to correct near vision loss caused by presbyopia, approached data readouts in Phase II clinical trials. As Visus prepares to move into Phase III studies later this year, OIS Podcast host Ehsan Sadri, MD, caught up with Ben to talk business and brimochol.Of the former, Ben shared how his career has progressed from spinning out technologies for Harvard, to leading M&A transactions for Planet Innovation, to founding a company dedicated to eye health.Of the latter, Ben details brimochol’s strong performance at eight and 12 hours. The product uses a combination of two APIs: 2.75% carbachol and .1% brimonidine tartrate, with 100 ppm BAK. Visus also has a preservative-free formulation in development that does not include BAK.Listen to the podcast today to discover: How brimochol’s API combo achieves such durable response.The market potential for presbyopia treatment and how telemedicine can help grow that market.Other products planned for the Visus pipeline, including wound healing leads in preclinical studies.More about Ben’s career trajectory, which took him from sunny Melbourne, Australia, to less-sunny Seattle, Washington. He also gives advice for emerging entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Developing a Clear Vision for a Clinical-Stage Company with Ben Bergo

If it hasn’t happened yet, just wait: the day will come when you have to use a larger font on the computer or hold the phone farther away to read a message. That frustrating condition, presbyopia, is a $3-5 billion market with limited non-surgical treatment options. LENZ Therapeutics is one company on a path to change that.In this podcast, president and CEO Eef Schimmelpennink speaks with host Ehsan Sadri, MD, about the progress of the company’s lead program, aceclidine. The drop is designed to restore loss of near vision without triggering ciliary muscles, and it produced promising Phase II data.As the company moves toward Phase III clinical trials, fresh off emerging from stealth mode with a $47 million Series A financing from Versant Ventures and RA Capital Management, Schimmelpennink reveals his larger picture for LENZ — without reaching for the reading glasses. Listen to the podcast to discover: Schimmelpennink’s views on the influence on compounding pharmacies for presbyopia treatments.The impact of Allergan’s miotics on this space.The potential benefits of these treatments for optometrists and ophthalmologists.What attracted Schimmelpennink to Presbyopia Therapies (now LENZ Therapeutics).What’s next for LENZ in the presbyopia market and beyond.

Building a Best-in-Class Company for a Best-in-Class Therapy: LENZ Therapeutics CEO Eef Schimmelpennink

Jeannette Bankes, President and General Manager for the Global Surgical Franchise at Alcon, learned early in her career that she had an interest not only in the complexity of vaccine and pharmaceutical development, but also in the business that drove that development. Her combination of scientific passion and business expertise led Jeannette to become one of the first women with a scientist-technical background to hold a GM role at Boston Scientific, and to lead what is now a $5 billion-per-year surgical franchise within the world’s largest eyecare device company.Take a listen as Jeannette discusses with host Rob Rothman, MD, why she transitioned from the pharmaceutical industry to the medical device industry and how she developed the business acumen to succeed as a GM. She also shares what’s on the horizon for Alcon and why the company values their strategic partners.Pres Play and you will also learn:What a company like Alcon looks for in early- and late-stage innovation partners.How Alcon maintains its dominance despite fierce competition.How Alcon plans to utilize digital health and data science to improve phacoemulsification (phaco).The unsolved ophthalmic problems that Alcon plans to focus on over the next 10 years.

Balancing a Passion for Science & Business — Alcon’s Jeannette Bankes

Legendary retinal surgeon and innovator Steve Charles, MD, has a long list of accomplishments. He’s performed more than 40,000 vitreoretinal surgeries, lectured in more than 50 countries, and operated in 25 of those countries. He’s also authored 150-plus medical articles and the go-to text, Vitreous Microsurgery, which is coming out in its sixth edition (with a complete rewrite of every chapter). Dr. Charles speaks five languages, has degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering, and was a fellow at the National Institutes of Health. He also has, at last count, 106 issued or pending patents. Dr. Charles has been in practice for 46 years and has no plans for retirement. He continues to perform more than 700 vitrectomies during his 52-week work year. He hasn’t been on vacation in 25 years, spends his nights, weekends, and holidays studying engineering or stem cell biology, doesn’t have a house, a wife, or pets, but instead he has jobs and that’s the way he prefers it. Click “play” and listen in on a fascinating discussion about:• How Dr. Charles’ background in engineering became the foundation for solving problems by building better medical and surgical devices. • How his relationship with industry began and why he chose to formalize an exclusive consulting agreement with Alcon over the past 30 years. • The many techniques and technologies that he has developed that have been adopted by thousands of surgeons around the world. • Where he thinks there’s room to improve in techniques and technology today.

The 3 T’s - Technique, Technology and Teaching with Steve Charles, MD

Paul Ryb was a very successful investment banker when he suddenly lost his central vision at age 37, due to dry AMD. In this unique episode of the OIS Podcast, Ryb tells our host Rob Rothman, MD, that the sudden change presented a big problem for him because of his fast-paced life. He said, “I had a lot of risk profile responsibilities, and it was life changing for me in not just my professional career but also my private investment career.”Upon being seen by a top eyecare professional at Moorfields Hospital, he was told nothing could be done for the condition, which he found surprising and distressing.However, Ryb then made contact with a charitable organization, Blind in Business, which he says began the next chapter of his life. “They had solutions for what I basically term affectionately as the ability to live and succeed with sight loss,” Ryb said. “And that kind of positive energy is exactly what I needed to hear at that moment.”That positivity led him back into sports, where he had succeeded to the point of becoming world champion of Visually Impaired Tennis. But more importantly he learned how to conquer challenges in his career using technologies for the visually impaired.And now, Ryb has chosen to use his investment banking skills to help fund and develop ophthalmic innovations.Click play to hear Paul Ryb talk about waking up with vision loss, his path to overcoming the challenges, and how he plans to use his experience with adversity to improve future technologies in this area.

Paul Ryb, the Ability to Live & Succeed with Sight Loss

Welcome to the Ophthalmology Innovation Podcast Where you get Candid Conversations with the Leaders and Drivers of Ophthalmic Innovation. OIS is the Largest and Original Producer of World-Class Ophthalmology Innovation Conferences and Content Since 2009.

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