The eyecare space has had quite a few leadership changes this month, from executive changes at Qlaris Bio and VSP Vision to a new Board Chair at Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) and two senior leadership appointments at SightGlass Vision.
We’ve got the details below.
Let’s start with this Qlaris … wasn’t a new CEO just named?
A new CEO and president (dual role).
Earlier this month, the biotechnology company appointed Fred Guerard, PharmD, as its new leader—and new member of its Board of Directors.
- Where you might know him from: Dr. Guerard was most recently the CEO of Opthea Limited, which has undergone quite a few changes in the last year (including a major workforce reduction following the termination of its wet age-related macular degeneration [AMD] program for sozinibercept).
And before that?
Dr. Guerard also served as CEO of the now-former Graybug Vision from 2019 to 2023, during which the pharmaceutical company rebranded as CaliciMedica.
Ah, that’s right … so who is he replacing?
That would be Qlaris co-founder Thurein Htoo, who is expected to stay with the company through April 1.
And what can we expect from Qlaris in the near future?
Advancement in its phase 3 clinical program for QLS-111, its investigational, preservative-free (PF), fixed-dose combination (with latanoprost) eye drop for glaucoma.
- QLS-111 is formulated to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by reducing episcleral venous pressure (EVP). See here for more details on its mechanism of action (MOA).
The last update in its clinical development: Qlaris reported positive phase 2 findings in early 2025 on its use for treating primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT).
Alrighty, now let’s move on to VSP’s update.
The national vision benefits provider has named Michele Andrews, OD, as chief medical officer.
Where do we know her from?
Likely CooperVision, where Dr. Andrews spent the last 10+ years—most recently serving as vice president of marketing and professional affairs with a focus on leading academic and advocacy initiatives.
She’s also held senior leadership roles at ForEyes Optical, EyeMed Vision Care, and LensCrafters.
- Her areas of expertise: The retail and private optometric practice spaces, plus managed vision care and medical device manufacturing and distribution.
Nice! Next up: Foundation Fighting Blindness.
FFB has appointed Jason Morris, a long-time member of its Board of Directors, as the new Board Chair (details on what this role will look like here).
- Up until now, Morris has served as interim Board Chair since 2024, as well as (most recently) Executive Vice Chair.
His interim and official appointment follows the passing of his predecessor, Karen Petrou, earlier this year.
What do we know about Morris?
See here for background on what led him to a local chapter of FFB over 15 years ago—and click here for a look at his numerous roles at the organization over the years.
- To note: In addition to serving as Board Chair, Morris will also serve as the Vice Chair of FFB’s Retinal Degeneration (RD) Fund, its venture philanthropy arm targeting the acceleration of novel therapeutics for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and dry AMD.
And outside FFB: Morris is president and chief operating officer of the St. Louis, Missouri-based Courtesy Products, LLC,
Last but not least: Let’s talk SightGlass Vision.
The specialized medtech company announced two leadership updates (including one newly-created role)
- David Webley as Senior Director, Clinical, Medical, and Professional Affairs
- See his background (which includes roles at CooperVision and the British Contact Lens Association, to name a few).
- Fabio Carta as Director, Professional Affairs (a new role)
- See his background (including consulting for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care and Bausch + Lomb as well as roles at CooperVision and Menicon Holdings B.V. Europe)
And what’s the plan for these two?
Two words: myopia control.
But more specifically: The company hinted at plans for Webley and Carta to expand SightGlass Vision’s relationships within the global eyecare community by offering increased support and education on its flagship product: Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) myopia control spectacle lenses.
- See here for our latest coverage on this (still investigational in the U.S.) technology.
To note: No further details were shared regarding what the support and education will entail or where across the globe their efforts will be focused.
That’s a wrap on leadership updates for now — check back here for more coverage in the future.