(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK – Regeneron, a biotechnology company, will receive the 2019 Eyes on Innovation Award during the 16th annual Eyes on New York Awards Celebration at Cipriani 42 in New York City on Friday, March 22.
The gala is the signature event of the Optometric Center of New York (OCNY), the affiliated foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry. Proceeds from the evening will directly support patient care, scholarships and research at the college.
Regeneron invents life-transforming medicines, improves the drug development process through its proprietary technologies and advances science through its research initiatives, including the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is one of the leading genomics efforts in the world.
“Regeneron is honored to receive the first-ever Eyes on Innovation Award from the Optometric Center of New York,” said Dr. Robert Vitti, the company’s vice president of clinical sciences for ophthalmology. “We are deeply committed to continuing our research to bring new innovations to patients in need.”
Founded in 1988 and led for three decades by physician-scientists Dr. Leonard S. Schleifer, president and CEO, and Dr. George D. Yancopoulos, president and chief scientific officer, the Tarrytown, NY-headquartered company has a robust internally discovered and developed product pipeline which has led to seven FDA-approved treatments and more than 20 investigational candidates.
EYLEA (aflibercept) Injection is indicated for diseases of the retina – wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema (DME) or diabetic retinopathy in DME and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion. “Losing vision to a retinal disease can be devastating, a reality that optometrists know far too well as the ones often on the frontlines of diagnosis,” Vitti said.
Beyond its team of more than 7,500 people, Regeneron also focuses on fostering the next generation of scientific innovators. The company supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiatives for promising young minds, particularly the Regeneron Science Talent Search for high-school-aged scientists.
“Regeneron is an exceptional example of SUNY Optometry’s institutional values, particularly leadership, inquiry and innovation,” said OCNY Executive Director Dawn Rigney. “The company has made significant contributions to the biotech industry and biomedical research and we look forward to honoring them in March.”
Drs. Susan and Mark Fromer of Fromer Eye Centers will receive the 2019 Eyes on Leadership Award during the celebration and Dr. Max Gomez, senior medical correspondent for WCBS-TV, will serve as master of ceremonies.
More than 270 attendees supported last year’s event. For additional information, visit www.sunyopt.edu/gala