A new year translates to changes … and that couldn’t be more true for three eyecare organizations this January. OKYO Pharma Limited, Orbis International, and BVI Medical are kicking off 2026 with new leaders at the helm.
We’ll begin with the most recent: BVI.
Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the medical equipment manufacturer specializes in the ophthalmic surgical space.
Its portfolio encompasses devices, equipment, instruments, and surgical fluids for various procedures.
So what do we know about this leadership change?
Effective Jan. 19, the company has named Jim Hollingshead as president and CEO, succeeding Shervin Korangy.
To note: Korangy will reportedly continue to serve as an advisor to BVI while also taking on a new position at PG Capital as senior advisor.
Tell me about Hollingshead.
With over 20 years of executive experience in the life sciences and medical device industries, Hollingshead most recently (from 2022-25) served as president and CEO of Insulet Corporation.
- During his tenure at Insulet: The insulin delivery-focused company expanded its product offerings—receiving FDA approval and launching an industry-first patch pump automated insulin delivery system in 2022.
And prior to Insulet: Hollingshead was president of ResMed’s sleep and respiratory care business.
So what has BVI been up to as of late?
The company has spent the last several years developing a product pipeline in the vision care industry that now “delivers a full procedural solution for the cataract and retina surgical market.”
Case in point: Last year saw two major product developments:
- April 2025: The FDA cleared Leos, BVI’s next-generation laser endoscopic ophthalmic system, which debuted in July 2025 with its first clinical use.
- October 2025: BVI received FDA approval for its FINEVISION hydrophobic (HP) trifocal intraocular lens (IOL), a third-generation premium lens.
And looking ahead?
As Hollingshead noted, the company is gearing up to launch “multiple new, industry-leading platforms” in the near future.
Alrighty, now to OKYO Pharma.
The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company has selected Robert J. Dempsey to assume leadership as CEO (and an executive Board of Directors member), effective earlier this month.
His predecessor: Now-former CEO Gary S. Jacob, PhD—who led the company since January 2021—has transitioned into the role of Chief Development Officer and is continuing to serve as a member of OKYO’s Board.
What’s Dempsey’s background?
The new CEO is reported to have spent the last 20+ years as an executive in the global ophthalmology field, with a focus on “drug development, commercialization, and value-creating strategic transactions.”
Among his executive experience: Dempsey served as Group Vice President and Head of Ophthalmology at Shire (prior to its 2019 acquisition by Takeda), where he led the sale of XIIDRA (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% to Novartis.
- See here for a look at his other positions, which included CEO positions at a few ophthalmic companies (AsclepiX Therapeutics and TearClear).
And the company’s focus moving forward?
That would be the clinical development of urcosimod (formerly OK-101), its investigational candidate under evaluation for the treatment of neuropathic corneal pain (CNP).
Learn all about this non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory, and non-opioid analgesic—which the FDA has already granted Fast Track designation.
- Importantly: Urcosimod utilizes OKYO’s proprietary membrane-anchored peptide (MAP) platform technology.
What’s the latest on its clinical progress?
Just last month, the company reported favorable phase 2 data based on corneal image analyses.
As for what’s to come: OKYO is currently advancing urcosimod to a U.S.-based multiple-ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial—with topline data expected later this year.
Last but not least: Tell us about Orbis’s new leader.
The global non-governmental organization (NGO) is welcoming Kathleen Sherwin as its next CEO, effective immediately, to lead its efforts in preventing blindness and restoring sight in communities with limited eyecare access.
- Her predecessor: Derek Hodkey, who served as president and CEO since September 2020, took over as president of Alternatives, Inc. in June 2025.
And her background?
Most recently: Sherwin served as Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer at Plan International, a global organization advancing children’s rights and equality for girls.
Her experience: Extends 25+ years, with a major focus on advancing health equity, gender equality, and sustainable development across the nonprofit and humanitarian sectors.
- Check out her prior leadership positions.
So what will Sherwin’s focus be at Orbis?
Per the NGO, the new CEO has joined at “a pivotal moment as the global health landscape evolves and the need for integrated, resilient health systems becomes increasingly urgent.”
- Her plan: Accelerating Orbis’s ongoing work to “prevent blindness and restore sight while elevating eye health as a global health priority.”
And in her own words?
Sherwin stressed the imperativeness for eye health to be understood not as a standalone issue, but “as a fundamental driver of equity, education, economic stability, and health system readiness.”
- “Orbis has a critical role to play in ensuring eye care is fully integrated into broader health and development priorities,” she stated.