Ois Podcast

As Global Head of Development Franchise Ophthalmics at Novartis, Dirk Sauer has overseen the development of Novartis’ blockbuster Lucentis. Now, his focus is on the pharmaceutical gi-ant’s pipeline of retina compounds, including many in the early stages. Hear how Sauer views innovation, both inside and outside of Novartis.

Gobiquity CEO Michael Brownell breaks down the mobile ophthalmology market from the viewpoint of a start-up that’s set to change how kids are diagnosed with amblyopia, the number one cause of vision loss in kids.

Vicente Anido, Jr., PhD’s career has taken him through large companies and private start-ups. He’s taken life science companies public on two occasions, and he’s seen nearly every perspective of the ophthalmology industry. Today, Anido expects big things for Aerie Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company with two promising treatments for glaucoma in late clinical trials.

Throughout his career, Stephen Slade, MD, has been an early adopter of new ophthalmic technologies, being among the first to use LASIK, and femtosecond lasers in cataract removal. As a seasoned early adopter, Slade expresses some reservations around new “back-office” technologies in his practice – namely EMRs. Despite these concerns, he sees great potential for more therapeutic approaches including Google’s contact lens. Hear Slade’s unique perspective on the role innovation will play in ophthalmology.

CEO David Muller, maps out Avedro’s designs to dominate the corneal cross-linking market and potentially change the game of vision correction.

OIS Co-Chair, Gil Kliman, MD, Managing Director at InterWest Partners, delivers insight on his firm’s decision to concentrate on ophthalmology 15 years ago and shares the many lessons he’s learned during that time.

Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, a long-time supporter of ophthalmology start-ups, looks ahead at the challenges facing physicians and investors as they work to meet the growing demand for ophthalmic treatment in an evolving healthcare industry.

OIS Co-Chair, Emmett T. Cunningham, Jr., MD, recounts the origin of the Ophthalmology Inno-vation Summits and his time at the formative Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, while sharing in earnest his hopes for ophthalmology as an industry.

Eric Donnenfeld, MD, former president of ASCRS, explains technology has profoundly changed how opthalmology is delivered. He also shares some of his priority issues while he was president of the ASCRS including training the next generation of ophthalmic surgeons.

Bill Link, Managing Director at Versant Ventures, explains why opthalmology will continue to be a pillar for Versant's new fund. He also gives helpful advice to entrepreneurs and physicians looking to turn inspiration into innovation.

Jim Mazzo, former head of AMO and recent chairman of AdvaMed, offers his insights on why ophthalmology remains a standout sector in life sciences and what investors and entrepreneurs need to do to find success in Medtech. Also, what should we make of Google's contact lens deal with Novartis?