The first-ever Empire Forum is officially in the books after retina specialists, drug developers, and investors filled the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel for the inaugural meeting.
Following our initial sneak peek and exclusive first look with the ophthalmologist co-chairs, the event was held just one day ahead of this year’s OSN New York & Retina, which kicked off in the same hotel.
Eyes On Eyecare was onsite as the forum’s official media partner.
How exciting! So who were the organizers behind this?
Leading the day were co-chairs Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS, and David Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS. They framed the meeting around one idea: bringing therapies to patients takes more than a single group.
“Innovation doesn’t happen just in commercial companies. It doesn’t happen in academia or in clinical trial practices,” Dr. Singh said in his opening remarks. “It’s all about mutual work, working together.”
“I always think that tomorrow is going to be better. I’m a futurist,” Dr. Eichenbaum added. “And The Empire Forum is all about futurism.”
And what was on the agenda?
Five sections—including two covering wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—consisting of talks running 7 minutes compared to the typical 3- to 4-minute slots at larger meetings.
As a bonus: Each section closed with a long-format moderated panel and audience Q&A.
Plus, a vast majority of the participants were company executives.
Also worth noting: A select number of sponsors and exhibitors were on-site throughout the meeting showcasing their retina innovations.
Tell me more.
We’ll offer just a look at what went down, as a longer, more in-depth rundown will follow in the coming weeks.
Stopping the Clock (intermediate AMD and GA): Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Astellas Pharma, Annexon Biosciences, i-Lumen Scientific, and Biogen covered photobiomodulation (PBM), micronutrient supplementation, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell therapy, C1q inhibition, bioelectric stimulation, and complement inhibition.
- The panel discussion focus: intervening earlier, keeping patients persistent with complement therapy, and whether these approaches may one day be combined.
Weren’t there two wet AMD sessions?
Indeed. Rewriting the Treatment Paradigm (wet AMD): Outlook Therapeutics, Harrow, Glaukos Corporation, and Kodiak Sciences discussed ophthalmic bevacizumab, injection comfort, and sustained-release implants—plus Kodiak’s “treat-to-dry” trial design.
- Panel discussion focus: payer access, AI in trial conduct, and balancing durability with vision.
The Durability Race (wet AMD): 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Adverum Biotechnologies (now part of Eli Lilly), and REGENXBIO presented their clinical programs.
Plus: Genentech shared real-world faricimab data, Ocular Therapeutix reviewed its axitinib implant, and Voiant Clinical discussed dry AMD biomarkers.
- The panel discussion focus: matching therapy to patient, step therapy, gene therapy pricing, and anti-VEGF resistance.
Talk more about this programming.
The Diabetic Eye, Reimagined dove into diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy with presentations from Regeneron, Merck & Co, EyePoint, Surrozen, and Ollin Biosciences.
- Dr. Singh moderated a panel discussion featuring those companies’ presenters along with faculty Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, FASRS and Ferhina S. Ali, MD, MPH.
Plus, Calvin W. Roberts, MD delivered the event’s keynote presentation—and was also presented with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.
And during Fueling Innovation in Retina, Yash Chalasani, MD, led an investor panel on financing retina innovation and was joined by six industry executives.
- On the agenda: criteria for a compelling early-stage investment in retina, weighing regulatory and reimbursement risks, and how current financing along with the mergers and acquisitions environment are impacting retina innovation.
Any rare disease discussion?
Small Populations, Big Science (rare disease and IRDs): Ocugen, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Opus Genetics, Beacon Therapeutics, and Atsena Therapeutics shared programs spanning retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, BEST1 disease, and X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS).
- The panel discussion focus: early FDA engagement, genetic testing and counseling, and paying for one-time therapies.
How about looking to the future?
To close the event out, Seeing What’s Next (future pipeline): Science Corporation, Théa Pharma, and Inflammasome Therapeutics presented on a retinal prosthesis, a growing ophthalmic portfolio, and a sustained-release implant for GA, respectively.
- The panel: functional endpoints, running clinical trials internationally, and educating clinicians.
Speaking of planning—what’s next?
The Forum will return Oct. 7, 2027, in New York City, to be held—once again—ahead of the annual OSN New York & Retina.
“What we can learn, what we can discuss together, is much more impactful than what we do alone,” Dr. Eichenbaum said in his closing remarks.
Editor’s note: Stay with Glance for an in-depth look at the data and discussions from The Empire Forum later this month.