We’ve got quite the update in leadership and other executive announcements in the eyecare space.
From RxSight, Inc. and Exonate’s respective CEO news to CooperVision, Lumenis, and the Ohio State University's College of Optometry making headlines, there’re a few changes to be “in the know” about.
First up: Let’s talk CEOs.
We’ll start with Exonate, who appointed a new leader at the end of last month.
To refresh, though: This United Kingdom (UK)-based biotechnology company is developing novel, non-invasive therapeutics to treat retinal vascular disease-related vision loss.
- Its pipeline: Is based on blocking pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to treat conditions where new blood vessel formation is a major cause for concerns (such as in diabetic eye disease [DED]).
- These investigational treatments are under development as topical therapeutics (eye drops), formulated to reach the retina and prevent blood vessel growth.
- As for its lead asset: EXN407 is an eye drop formulated for diabetic eye disease.
- Check out its novel mechanism of action (MOA).
- The idea: To eliminate the need for monthly eye injections, laser surgery, or steroid use.
- As for its lead asset: EXN407 is an eye drop formulated for diabetic eye disease.
Noted. So who’s this new leader?
That would be Olav Hellebø, the former CEO of ReNeuron Group plc., a UK stem cell research company.
His experience also extends to serving in senior commercial and development roles across the U.S. and Europe—Schering-Plough [now Merck]) and Novartis UK—in the biotech, oncology, and immunology areas.
- See more on his background and current affiliations.
So who is he replacing?
That would be Catherine Beech, MB, ChB, OBE, one of Exonate’s co-founders, who served as CEO since its establishment in 2013. Beech is remaining on the company’s Board of Directors.
And what’s the plan moving forward?
Exonate is currently on track to kick off a phase 2b study for EXN407. Per Hellebø, the study will have “a design endorsed by regulators and a clear path to registration, in which a positive result would be confirmed by a closely mirrored phase 3 (study).”
Alrighty, now on to RxSight’s CEO news.
First: The California medical technology (MedTech) company’s claim to fame is the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL), the first and only customizable intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery.
As for this update: RxSight announced two major leadership changes that went into effect earlier this month:
- Aziz Mottiwala has been appointed president and CEO.
- He also joined the company’s Board of Directors as director.
- (Now former) CEO Ron Kurtz, MD, will now serve as chief medical officer.
- Dr. Kurtz has served as president and CEO since 2016.
- He has subsequently resigned from the board as part of this transition.
Tell us about this new executive.
Most recently, Mottiwala served as chief commercial officer (CCO) at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Prior to that, his senior leadership experience included being CCO at Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as well as spending over a decade at Allergan.
And any recent company news to be aware of?
For sure! Earlier this month, RxSight and Alcon launched a new partnership to jointly develop presbyopia-correcting IOLs (PCIOLs).
- Click here for all the details.
Next up: CooperVision.
The global medical device manufacturer has appointed Brenda Raphael as vice president of marketing, Americas.
Her duties: Will involve overseeing U.S. marketing activity across the company’s brand portfolio, customer marketing, and professional affairs.
And what experience does she bring?
Over 20 years of experience in marketing and commercial leadership.
Among the global organizations she’s worked at: Bayer, Novartis, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, and The Coca-Cola Company.
As for her skillset: Raphael’s expertise extends to “building strong brands, advancing new product commercialization, and developing customer-focused marketing strategies”—areas that align closely with CooperVision, the company noted.
Nice! So what has CooperVision been up to recently?
Check out our latest coverage on the company (hint: developments in myopia advocacy, pediatric myopia control updates, and a new toric lens launch).
Who’s up next?
That would be Lumenis, a global energy-based medical device company developing minimally-invasive clinical solutions for the aesthetic and ophthalmic spaces.
- See here for our latest coverage.
As for this update: Stacy Winter has been announced as president of North America.
Tell me about Winter.
Winter is no stranger to Lumenis. Since joining the company in 2019, she’s served in varying roles within its U.S. surgical division—from director to vice president.
Importantly: She played an instrumental role in launching Lumenis’s vision division, which led to the introduction of OptiLIGHT.
- This is the first and only light therapy approved by the FDA for the management of dry eye disease (DED) due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
And in her new position?
Winter will continue her focus on advancing Lumenis’s energy-based eyecare technology portfolio. Here’s a deeper dive into a few of these products:
- OptiPLUS, an FDA-cleared dual-frequency radiofrequency (RF) technology designed for customized treatment to complement the company’s novel OptiLIGHT technology
- OptiLIFT, a proprietary-based dynamic muscle stimulation technology (DMSt) designed to tone facial muscles to treat lower lid laxity and impaired blinking.
Noted. And now for the last update …
Which comes not from the industry side but rather the optometry education space: The Ohio State University's College of Optometry has appointed a new dean (pending approval from its Board of Trustees).
The dean in question: Jeffrey J. Walline, OD, PhD.
Let’s get some background on Dr. Walline.
Similar to CooperVision’s new VP, Dr. Walline isn’t new to OSU—he joined the college’s faculty in 2005 and has risen “through the ranks,” from assistant professor to distinguished professor (in 2023).
Most recently: He served as the associate dean for Academic Affairs.
And beyond OSU?
Dr. Walline’s expertise lies in pediatric vision research, particularly in slowing myopia progression.
In fact, he serves as:
- Study chair of the Bifocal Lenses in Nearsighted Kids (BLINK and BLINK2) Studies
- This is a landmark National Eye Institute (NEI)-funded initiative exploring soft contact lenses for slowing myopia progression in pediatric patients.
- Co-chair of the Delaying the Onset of Nearsightedness Until Treatment (DONUT) Study
- This is an NEI-sponsored effort investigating low-concentration atropine eye drops for the prevention of onset myopia.
See here for more on his experience advocating for pediatric eye health (including serving on the FDA Myopia Control Review Taskforce) as well as current (and past) professional organization roles.
- Fun fact: Dr. Walline previously served as the president of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO).
For more leadership news, see here.