OPT - Opthea Strengthens Team with Key Clinical and Regulatory Hires | Benzinga
Dr. Julie Clark, SVP Clinical Development; Dr. Fang Li, SVP Regulatory Affairs, to join February 1st
Experienced executives bring extensive track record in products for retinal and ophthalmology diseases
MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opthea Limited ((ASX:OPT, NASDAQ:OPT, "Opthea")), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to treat highly prevalent and progressive retinal diseases, today announced the appointment of Julie Clark, MD, MS, as Senior Vice President (SVP), Clinical Development, and Fang Li, Ph.D. RAC, as SVP, Regulatory Affairs, effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Clark and Dr. Li will report to Opthea Chief Executive Officer, Frederic Guerard, PharmD, MS, and will join the Opthea Executive Management Team.
"It is my great pleasure to welcome two ophthalmology experts, Dr. Clark and Dr. Li, to the Company as we prepare for the next stage in our growth and work towards advancing the development of sozinibercept (OPT-302)," said Dr. Guerard. "Their past contributions to the development and registration of ophthalmology therapies such as IZERVAY™, BEOVU®, and EYLEA®, will be instrumental to the potential success of our lead program investigating sozinibercept, currently in two Phase 3 pivotal trials."
Dr. Clark shared, "I am thrilled to join Opthea as we prepare to complete patient enrollment in the pivotal Phase 3 clinical program for sozinibercept in the first half of 2024. The majority of my career has been dedicated to the clinical development of novel therapies for retinal diseases. Sozinibercept could be the first new drug for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in more than 15 years, with the potential to deliver superior visual gains when administered in combination with standard of care therapy. I look forward to contributing to bringing this novel product candidate to patients with serious retinal disease."
Dr. Li commented, "As we work towards the potential release of topline results for our Phase 3 program in mid-2025, I am excited to apply my expertise to support the development and execution of our regulatory strategy and potential filings for sozinibercept in the U.S. and other markets. I look forward to the opportunity to bring Opthea's innovative potential medicine through the regulatory process for the benefit of patients with retinal diseases."
Julie Clark, MD, MS
With more than 15 years of experience in ophthalmology medical and clinical development, Dr. Clark brings expertise in both early and late-stage programs, regulatory submissions, and approvals. Her contributions include substantial support for the approval and launches of retinal therapies such as EYLEA®, JETREA® and BEOVU®.
In Dr. Clark's most recent position as Vice President Clinical Development at IVERIC bio, Inc., An Astellas Company, she oversaw the development program leading to the August 2023 U.S. Food and Drug Administration ...