A new week means new industry announcements in the eyecare space, with three companies (and one ophthalmic organization) updating their executive teams.
The players: Emmecell, Outlook Therapeutics, Heidelberg Engineering, and the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO).
Let’s start with Emmecell.
Company refresh: The privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company is developing cell-based therapies for various ocular diseases—including corneal edema and macular degeneration.
- See here for a rundown of its proprietary magnetic cell delivery (MCD) nanoparticle platform
- Click here for details on E02002, its minimally-invasive cell therapy.
In recent news: Check out our latest coverage on the company (note: It’s been a hot minute since its last clinical update).
And its leadership update?
Emmecell has named Ramin Valinan as the company’s CEO, bringing with him over two decades of global commercial and strategic leadership experience within eyecare’s biopharmaceutical development space.
His areas of expertise: Extend to corneal disease, surgical and interventional glaucoma, retina, and consumer eye care.
And prior to joining Emmecell: Ramin served in various leadership roles at Allergan and AbbVie.
Alrighty, now to ABO—which also has a new leader?
That’s correct. The independent nonprofit organization (which certifies ophthalmologists within the United States) has selected Steven Gedde, MD, as its new CEO.
Importantly: This appointment will take effect next year (Jan. 1, 2027), when Dr. Gedde will replace current ABO CEO George B. Bartley, MD, who has held the position since 2017.
Where would we know Dr. Gedde from?
A renowned glaucoma expert, he currently serves as the vice chair of education and John G. Clarkson Chair in Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
- And last April: Dr. Gedde was named president of the American Glaucoma Society.
Check out his extensive background as a clinician and researcher.
Nice! Now to Outlook’s update …
Earlier this month, the biopharmaceutical company appointed biotech executive veteran Laura Cantrall as vice president of Corporate Strategy and Business Development.
Her background: 20+ years of global corporate strategy, business development, and portfolio expansion leadership within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
- As for experience: Her prior senior leadership roles extend to biotech companies such as Medivation (acquired by Pfizer), BeiGene, Sobi, Axovant Sciences, and Genentech/Roche.
- See more on her expertise.
And … didn’t the company recently get some not-so-great news?
Indeed. As we reported earlier this month, the FDA issued Outlook a complete response letter (in other words: a rejection) after its resubmission of a new drug application (NDA) for ONS-5010 (bevacizumab-vikg).
To refresh: ONS-5010 is formulated with the recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (mAB) bevacizumab and intended as a monthly intravitreal (IVT) injection to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
And its potential significance: If approved, the prescription drug would become the first on-label bevacizumab product specifically formulated for IVT retinal use in the U.S
- Check out what the FDA took issue with in the company’s latest attempt at regulatory approval.
And lastly: Heidelberg.
The German high-tech imaging solutions company has named Jeff Sieve as president of Heidelberg Engineering, Inc. U.S. (its American arm), effective this month.
- To note: His predecessor, Ram Liebenthal, is reportedly transitioning into a corporate projects leadership role at the company.
And what do we know about Sieve?
He has spent the last 15 years in the ophthalmic space—most recently serving as president and CEO of Haag-Streit Inc. U.S.
Prior to that: Sieve held several senior commercial leadership positions at Carl Zeiss over a 12-year period, including as U.S. Head of Refractive Sales and National Director for Key Accounts.
Nice! And what’s new at the company as of late?
Check out our recent coverage on Heidelberg.