Ois Podcast

Identifying MDs and ODs is but one of many activities involved in developing a commercial launch strategy. To execute that launch according to targets requires strong data, effective messaging, thoughtful strategy, and luck. According to a ZS analysis, out of 30 emerging pharma first launches from 2019 through 2021, only four met expectations.At the OIS XII panel “Maximizing OD/MD Market Potential and How to Achieve Commercial Success With a New Product,”a group of commercialization experts discussed what it takes to get a product to market and meet analysts’ expectations. Robert J. Dempsey, MBA, CEO and president of AsclepiX Therapeutics, moderated the panel. Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, for example, is launching TP-03, which would be the first approved treatment for Demodex blepharitis, a disease of Demodex mites infesting the eyelids. It affects about 25 million people. Tarsus Chief Commercial Officer Aziz Mottiwala said education and thoughtful patient identification are key elements of Tarsus’ strategy.  Educ

For more than 30 years, Heidelberg Engineering has set the standard in diagnostic imaging. Best known for imaging quality and optical coherence tomography (OCT) capabilities, Heidelberg focuses on innovation, customer service, and education. OIS Podcast host Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, caught up with Heidelberg’s VP/head of corporate strategy Kfir Azoulay, as well as Heidelberg Engineering UK managing director Tosh Vadhia. From their respective locations in Heidelberg, Germany, and London, the two discussed what’s behind Heidelberg Engineering’s success. Although the company retains the feel of a close-knit family business, it aims to move fast in response to technological advances. Its subsidiary, Munich Surgical Imaging GmbH, recently partnered with Bausch + Lomb to distribute its digital ophthalmic microscopy products globally. Together, the companies will create integrated solutions to meet the growing demand for digital surgical microscopy. Listen to the podcast to hear more about:The history of Heidelberg E

Scott Brun, MD, began his long career in pharma R&D leadership in the late 1990s, holding key roles at Abbott and AbbVie. Had he picked up a pencil with his right hand, his career may have taken a completely different turn.Dr. Brun earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed a residency in ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. A leftie, Dr. Brun ultimately decided not to become ambidextrous. Instead, he joined Abbott as a pharmaceutical physician and began a fruitful career leading development across multiple therapeutic areas.With OIS Podcast host Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, Dr. Brun looks both forward and ahead, sharing stories from his time at Abbott and AbbVie as well as his insights on promising developments in ophthalmology. At venture capital firm Abingworth, Dr. Brun currently helps young biopharma leaders turn their visions into reality. He’s also running his own consulting company and helping Horizon Therapeutics build its internal pipel

What if legendary ophthalmologist Don Gass, MD, had access to both optical coherence tomography (OCT) and artificial intelligence? One can only imagine the breakthroughs. Alex Walsh, MD, CEO of Envision Diagnostics and a retina specialist at Retina-Vitreous Associates in Los Angeles and vicinity, wants to bring Gassian interpretive capabilities to everyone in eye care.  His company’s product, a binocular OCT with the potential to image the entire eye, could enable physicians and technicians to get objective, comprehensive data in six minutes. No waiting, no moving from room to room. The device performs many of the functions of a routine eye exam, including slit lamp and dilated fundus exams, reducing the visit time from hours to minutes.  Dr. Walsh says the device brings clinical trial–level data to every exam, which is something eye-care professionals should be demanding. “We spend three times as much on labor as we do on devices, and we accept it as the cost of doing business,” he tells OIS podcast host, Re

The Food and Drug Administration approved Tyrvaya (varenicline solution), a multidose nasal spray, to treat signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, about a year ago. Jeffrey Nau, PhD, MMS, CEO of Oyster Point Pharma, sat down with OIS Podcast host Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, to discuss the launch and his learnings over the year that was.  Since then, about 62,000 Tyrvaya prescriptions have been written. It’s the first and only nasal spray designed for dry eye relief. Dr. Nau says refills and persistence numbers are strong.  Dr. Karpecki said he’s noticed similar results in his own practice. Of patients who received a Tyrvaya sample, the requests for prescriptions and refills have been dramatic. While Oyster Point has release positive post hoc data of Tyrvaya, Dr. Nau said there’s still a learning curve to overcome. Physicians simply aren’t used to prescribing a nasal spray for dry eye. Will that change in 2023? Listen to the podcast today to hear Dr. Nau and Dr. Karpecki discuss: How Oyster Point launched Tyrvaya

For all the drugs, biologics, and medical devices approved for use in the United States and Europe, few of them make their way to China.AffaMed Therapeutics, a global clinical stage biotechnology company, was established to bridge the gap between global innovation and unmet need in China. With a focus on ophthalmology, neurology, and psychiatric disorders, AffaMed leaders want to serve the patients in China as well as support innovation.Podcast host Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, caught up with AffaMed Chief Financial Officer Vijay Karwal to discuss the portfolio that will potentially enable AffaMed to fulfill its mission in ophthalmology.AffaMed’s pipeline includes products designed to address cataract and refractive surgery and retinal disease. One of those products is AM712, a fusion protein that inhibits VEGF and Ang-2. The company received clearance from the FDA on its Investigational New Drug application as well as China CTA clearance earlier this year.Karwal also talked about his role as partner at CBC Group,

Ram Palanki, PharmD, VP of commercial strategy and operations for REGENXBIO, has been involved in the development and launch of at least two groundbreaking treatments: Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech/Roche) and Macugen (pegaptanib).If all goes well in clinical trials, Dr. Palanki could soon add one more to his extensive CV: a one-time gene therapy designed to treat age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy (DR). A master of back-of-the-eye product development and commercialization, Dr. Palanki sits down with OIS podcast host Firas Rahhal, MD, to discuss the history of retinal disease treatments and the potential of gene therapy to address early- and later-stage disease.He hopes REGENXBIO’s lead product, RGX-314, helps resolve the adherence issues that plague anti-VEGF drugs, the current standard of care. Currently in Phase III trials, RGX-314 introduces a trans gene that can encode for a therapeutic protein for life—a concept REGENXBIO is exploring for the first time. Clinical trials also sho

OIS has showcased dozens of ophthalmic leaders who are part of Israel’s thriving biotech and medtech spaces. This OIS Podcast features one of those leaders, who’s preparing for MIXiii Health-Tech.IL, the annual gathering for the life science and health tech industries in Israel. It’ll be held in Jerusalem November 9 and 10. And for the first time, OIS Israel will be part of it.Podcast host Rob Rothman, MD (also an OIS Israel cochair), talks to Tarsier Pharma founder and CEO Daphne Haim-Langford, PhD. Dr. Haim-Langford gives an update on her company’s Phase III trial for TRS01, a drop designed to treat uveitis and uveitic glaucoma. The trial is 50% enrolled, she says. Meanwhile, Tarsier is conducting Investigative New Drug (IND)–enabling studies for TRS02, an injectable therapy intended to treat diabetic macular edema, dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and posterior uveitis.   Dr. Haim-Langford describes OIS Israel as a showcase for “groundbreaking developments that bring hope to ophthalmologists and

Rayner is best known for its intraocular lenses (IOLs). It developed the world’s first IOL and is the sole manufacturer of IOLs in the UK. The company currently manufactures 1.3 million lenses a year, but there’s more to the story. Rayner’s portfolio also includes a delivery system, ophthalmic viscosurgical devices, drops, and a digital health platform that captures  patient-reported outcomes.CEO Tim Clover discusses Rayner’s diversified focus and data-driven initiatives with OIS Podcast host Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD. They also talk about how Clover helped move the company in a new direction, which included tearing down one factory and moving into a new R&D, training, and production facility in Worthing, West Sussex, England.Clover also helped Rayner secure a partnership with Brussels-based HASA OPTIX, which manufactures single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments.Listen to the podcast to discover: The challenges of Clover’s transition from a nonexecutive director role to CEO, both individually and for the o

As head of Sight and Sound Technology, the largest supplier and distributor of technology and devices designed for visually-impaired and blind individuals, Glenn Tookey wouldn’t be disappointed if he went out of business. But until there are cures for all eye diseases, he remains a strong advocate for his customers. OIS Podcast host Rob Rothman, MD, kicked off a lively discussion with Tookey that covers the company’s beginnings four decades ago, how he  evaluates new products, and how he plans to bring those products to more patients. Tookey’s tech industry career includes stints in telecom, data processing, and even pinball machine repair. In 2008, he saw a mobile phone designed to help people with vision loss. Inspired by the design and the purpose, he later bought Sight and Sound.As CEO, Tookey frequently evaluates new technology from emerging inventors and developers. He also readily advises on product design, market access, and other product launch elements for products that aren’t ready for prime time.

According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, India is one of the top 12 destinations worldwide for biotech activity. Seed-stage venture capital firm Endiya Partners is a player in that space, investing in product startups solving global problems. One of its portfolio companies, Eyestem, is working to solve the problem of equal access to cell therapies. Its vision is to develop a scalable cell-therapy platform to treat incurable diseases and to democratize access to these therapies. With cell and gene therapies priced in the six figures, they’re out of reach for the majority of the global population. In this OIS Podcast, Eyestem CEO Jogin Desai and Endiya Partners managing director Ramesh Byrapaneni, MD, discuss the mission behind Eyestem and the progress it has made so far. Sneak preview: Desai tells host Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, that Eyestem is laser-focused on scalability. Its lead asset, Eye-Cyte-RPE, designed to treat early-stage age-related macular degeneration, is entering first-in-human trials in Q4.

A market leader in Japan with a 130-year history, Santen is paving new roads in the US and China. Peter Sallstig, MD, MBA, Santen’s CMO and global head of product development division sat down with OIS Podcast host Paul Karpecki, OD, to lay out the blueprint. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll hear about the products and business strategies that will help Santen compete in these markets at a high level. And that’s not all.A true global leader, Dr. Sallstig speaks five languages fluently. Using one of them, he discussed Santen’s long-term plan, the strength of Santen’s leadership, and its latest developments. Here’s a glimpse:In 2020, Santen acquired topical ophthalmic specialist Eyevance Pharmaceuticals. In a similar vein, Santen recently launched Verkazia, a topical immunomodulator approved for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children and adults. Santen also has multiple products for glaucoma in its pipeline. Tune in to discover:Dr. Sallstig’s path to becoming Santen’s CMO, which began in

Michael Chiang, MD, director of the National Eye Institute, spent more than 20 years in academic research. Now, he leads an organization that supports that research by funding more than 1,500 research and training grants for projects that address vision impairment and blindness.A pediatric ophthalmologist who’s board-certified in clinical informatics, Dr. Chiang remains intensely curious and generous. “I succeed when the vision research field succeeds,” he says in this OIS Podcast. With host Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, Dr. Chiang lays out NEI’s recently unveiled strategic plan. The plan hints at where NEI plans to invest its annual $860 million budget over the next five years and how it plans to continue moving forward with its “audacious goals.” Literally, the NEI’s Audacious Goals Initiative for Regenerative Medicine was established in 2012 to push the boundaries of retina science and restore vision through retina regeneration. It has funded $80 million in research to date, and there’s more work to be done.Ther

European investment in ophthalmology MedTech is more opportunistic than strategic says Klaus Stockemann, managing partner of Peppermint VenturePartners in Berlin. With fewer venture capitalists focused on the market, they are more receptive to cold calls and impromptu pitches at medical conferences.That’s one of the many insights provided when new OIS Podcast host Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, MPH caught up with three top-tier VCs who focus on ophthalmology devices and technology.After recalling their nonlinear backgrounds, Stockemann;  Diana Saraceni, cofounder of Panakes Ventures (Milan); and Jennifer McMahon, a partner at Seroba VC (Dublin) discussed the activity in the MedTech space as of late. One piece of news that got Western Europe talking: Belgium-based iStar’s strategic alliance with AbbVie.What else? The guests agreed that ophthalmology’s active, entrepreneurial spirit, the high demand for microtized surgical devices, and the strong M&A market all make for an exciting time to invest in ophthalmology.

Orbis International has been a pioneer in preventing and treating avoidable blindness for forty years. While much of that work takes plane on its Flying Eye Hospital, the organization also uses advanced technology to bring quality care to individuals worldwide.Cybersight is the global nonprofit’s telemedicine platform. Through it, the organization offers 24/7 live peer-to-peer consults for specialists worldwide. Over 24,000 eye care practitioners have sought expert opinions through the platform, gaining access to mentorship and advice they wouldn’t have otherwise. Users can also access live surgical demonstrations, courses, and other training: its library is free for all professionals.Orbis also leverages artificial intelligence to help improve access to eye care. Cybersight consult supports AI-grading of color fundus images attached to consult cases. In seconds, a doctor in a remote region can get an interpretation of an image to aid in diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, hemorrhages, glaucoma, and other cond

A group of experts in AMD and geographic atrophy discussed two GA treatments in Phase III studies: Apellis’s pegcetacoplan and Iveric Bio’s Zimura.If approved, these therapies will potentially slow lesion growth and preserve vision in patients with GA. Because they require monthly or bimonthly injections, they may also dramatically increase workloads for already overtaxed retina specialists.David Boyer, MD, of Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, said they’ll adapt. Somehow. Tarek Hassan, MD, partner and director of vitreoretinal training at Associated Retinal Consultants, agreed, noting the current working model will have to change. Somehow. “If we think we’re helping our patients we’ll figure it out,” he said.For better or worse, the rollout could be a gradual one. New-onset exudation has been observed in both pegcetacoplan and Zimura. This may spook some physicians, the panel noted, and they’ll take a watch-and-wait approach. Even so, it’s an exciting development for a challenging condition.Listen to

OIS Podcast host Paul Karpecki, OD, sits down with Ashley Brissette, MD, who just launched an eye-focused cosmetic skincare line called Eye Revive by Daily Practice. Now assistant professor of ophthalmology at  Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Brissette talks about her journey to physician and entrepreneur.We get to hear how the Canadian-born, one-time performing-arts student transitioned into medicine and made her way to New York City, where her roster of patients includes the New York Rangers and Savannah Guthrie of NBC News and “The Today Show.”After consistently being asked by female patients which consumer products were best for the skin around the eyes, Dr. Brissette decided to formulate the first and only 3-in-1 product to cleanse, hydrate, and remove makeup.This didn’t come without its share of challenges and lessons. Listen in to learn more about this impressive young ophthalmologist and new business founder.  Click “play” to listen.