It’s been a few weeks since our last leadership update from the eyecare space. That being said, we’ve got a few new industry updates to report on—including two changes at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and an executive appointment at Rebion.
Let’s begin with Rebion.
First, a rundown on the company.
The details: Launched in 2009 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, Rebion is a medical device company that specializes in the development and commercialization of neural performance scanning (NPS).
- About NPS: This proprietary platform identifies and manages life-altering diseases that arise from functional impairments in the brain by using polarized light-based retinal scanning to measure “neurophysiologic mechanism of the optic nerve/brain continuum, instantly identifying impairments.”
Its commercial product: The Blinq vision scanner, the first and only FDA-cleared device to noninvasively detect amblyopia and strabismus in pediatric patients (ages 2 to 8) by measuring eye fixation in seconds.
- Notably: The device made its U.S. commercial debut in 2020.
And this executive change?
That would be the appointment of a new CEO: Mark Maire.
His background: With over 20 years of commercial leadership and strategic growth experience, Maire most recently served as CEO of Cassini Technologies.
His previous roles also extend to operating as:
- Chief revenue officer at TrueVision Systems (during its 2018 acquisition by Alcon)
- A surgical consultant for Alcon following that acquisition
- A member of the LaunchPoint aerospace company’s Board (on which he continues to serve)
So what will his focus be at Rebion?
Maire will be heading up the company’s “next phase of growth” involving the scaling commercial adoption of its Blinq device, prepping for potential strategic partnerships, and—most importantly— advancement toward FDA clearance of its next product: the Traq device.
What do we know about this?
While still in development, the company has shared that the Traq platform, which also leverages NPS, measures visual tracking impairments for:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Dementia
- Other neurodegenerative conditions
With more to come on that in the near future.
Alrighty, now to J&J’s additions.
Two new leaders are transitioning into (and returning to) new roles in the global company:
- Caroline Blackie, MS, OD, PhD, FAAO, as Vice President of Medical Affairs
- Paul Lisenby as Global Head of Research & Development, Vision
Start with this new VP.
Blackie is no stranger to J&J, as she has held several positions at the company in her 8 years of employment.
Most recently: She served as senior medical director and interim head of Medical Affairs (yes, the very position she has now officially been appointed to).
Her experience: Extends to a 12-year tenure at TearScience in clinical development (including support the launch of its entire portfolio from the medical affairs side).
- And her specializations: Included direct patient care and scientific research—with specific expertise spanning “across vision care and surgical platforms” for nearly 20 years.
Next up: the global head of R&D.
Lisenby is rejoining the company after serving as product development leader for “several large medical technology companies,” according to J&J.
Those companies: Medtronic and Olympus Corporation.
- Most recently: He was the global head of Product Development at Olympus.
- His expertise: Extends to providing “cross-functional leadership in new product development.”
And regarding that “rejoining” component: Lisenby previously worked at J&J for 11 years (2000 to 2011) in various roles, including group manager, Global Procurement, and senior R&D process engineer.
So what does his new role entail?
Essentially, new product developments in J&J’s technology pipeline—with the intent to launch “breakthrough innovation in eye health.”
- Check out what the company’s been up to in this area of research.
And when are these appointments effective?
Earlier this month (Aug. 4).
And in other news …
If you missed it: Check out this major leadership departure from Opthea Limited, announced earlier in the week.