OCUL - Ocular Therapeutix™ Strengthens Clinical Team with Appointment of Key Retinal Leaders | Benzinga
Nadia K. Waheed, MD, MPH, Appointed Chief Medical Officer; Peter K. Kaiser, MD, to Become Chief Development Officer; Andrea Gibson, PhD, Named Vice President, Medical Collaborations; and Namrata Saroj, OD, to Become Development Strategy Consultant
Dr. Waheed's strong industry track record as a CMO and broad expertise in wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy support advancing the Phase 3 AXPAXLI™ program
Dr. Kaiser's vast leadership experience in numerous pivotal trials of approved wet AMD products enhances Ocular's transition to a leading retina care company
Dr. Gibson and Dr. Saroj bring deep experience in clinical trial execution through their joint involvement in the development and commercialization of two landmark retina drugs
BEDFORD, Mass., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCUL) ("Ocular"), a biopharmaceutical company committed to enhancing people's vision and quality of life through the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and other diseases and conditions of the eye, today announced that it has strengthened its clinical development organization with the appointment of Nadia K. Waheed, MD, MPH, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO); Peter K. Kaiser, MD as Chief Development Officer (CDO); Andrea Gibson, Ph.D., as Vice President, Medical Collaborations; and Namrata Saroj, OD, as Development Strategy Consultant. Dr. Waheed's appointment will be effective as of May 20, 2024. Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, will continue in his role as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).
"I am thrilled to announce the enrichment of Ocular's clinical development organization with the appointment of four recognized retinal disease professionals. Having a strong team of retinal leaders with experience across all aspects of clinical development is essential to Ocular's transformation to becoming a leading retina company," said
Pravin U. Dugel, MD, Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ocular Therapeutix. "I believe the appointment of Dr. Waheed as CMO, coupled with Dr. Kaiser's deep clinical trial experience, further solidifies the foundation for our successful transition."
"I am confident that Dr. Waheed, as an accomplished CMO, with a robust clinical development track record, experience as a respected retinal surgeon, with post-doctoral training at several world-class institutions and a lengthy publication history, can play an important role in the advancement of our clinical pipeline," continued Dr. Dugel. "In addition, I look forward to continue working closely with Dr. Kaiser, a globally recognized retinal specialist, and believe that his deep understanding of the AXPAXLI™ program, combined with his broad experience as a study chairman and lead investigator in numerous pivotal trials for approved products for wet AMD and other indications, significantly enhances the leadership of our program."
Dr. Dugel commented further, "The contributions of Dr. Waheed, Dr. Kaiser and Dr. Heier, combined with the additions of Dr. Gibson, as Vice President, Medical Collaborations, and Dr. Saroj as Development Strategy Consultant, will bolster the effective execution of the AXPAXLI clinical program for retinal disease. In addition, I believe our strengthened clinical team also puts Ocular in an excellent position to accelerate expansion into retinal indications beyond wet AMD, including diabetic retinopathy."
Dr. Waheed said, "I am honored to be part of the Ocular Therapeutix team. My experience as a retinal surgeon, combined with my background in scientific and clinical research and direct patient care inspired my desire to bring innovative new therapies to people with retinal diseases. Getting involved in the industry and becoming a CMO has allowed me to take a leadership role in this work. Joining Ocular allows me to build on my prior experiences as a CMO and work on a drug candidate that has the potential to dramatically change the treatment paradigm for retinal diseases and significantly improve patient compliance. I believe AXPAXLI has the potential to provide a durable reduction in disease burden to patients with wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy and I look forward to working with Pravin and my colleagues to advance the clinical development of the product candidate."
Dr. Kaiser commented, "Over the course of my career as a retinal surgeon, I have had the privilege of working on several approved products for wet AMD and other ophthalmic indications. I joined Ocular because I believed that AXPAXLI could be a ‘game-changer' in the care of retinal disease. I am enthusiastic to apply the breadth of my experience to Ocular in my role as CDO. As we work together to advance the Phase 3 AXPAXLI program, I look forward to welcoming Dr. Waheed and continuing my work with the outstanding team at Ocular."
Dr. Gibson commented, "There is an unmet need for clinical trial options available to newly diagnosed wet AMD patients who may be earlier in their disease course. I am excited to work with Ocular to advance the development of AXPAXLI and have the unique opportunity to bring a long-awaited clinical trial option to newly diagnosed patients." Dr. Saroj noted further, "Bringing excellence in clinical development to the advancement of novel, FDA-approved products for ophthalmic diseases has been a highlight of my career. I look forward to working with this accomplished team towards the development of AXPAXLI."
About Nadia K. Waheed, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Waheed brings almost 20 years of experience in ophthalmology and leadership to Ocular through her work as a retinal surgeon, scientist, clinical researcher and Board Member in academic and research settings. She has a proven track record in clinical development and as a CMO, with experience in all phases of development including clinical trial design and analysis and regulatory interactions.
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