(PRESS RELEASE) FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCUP), a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of refractive and retinal eye disorders, announced that it has appointed seven new Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) across retina, cornea/refractive, and medical optometry to its Medical Advisory Board (MAB). In addition, Ronil Patel, M.S. has been promoted to vice president, business development and market strategy.
“The collective and extensive clinical experience on landmark ophthalmic trials over decades is central to this accomplished group of advisors being added to our MAB. Their guidance will be invaluable as we advance our late-stage candidates Nyxol and APX3330 through important clinical and regulatory milestones across our targeted indications,” said Mina Sooch, founder and CEO of Ocuphire Pharma. “In addition, Ronil has established himself as very capable strategist, and I am confident he will continue to position Ocuphire for significant growth in his new role as Vice President, Business Development and Market Strategy.”
Jay Pepose, M.D., Ph.D., Ocuphire’s chief medical advisor continued, “Ocuphire is one of few companies with a diverse medical advisory board spanning across retinal surgeons, refractive surgeons, and medical optometrists. We are honored to have these ophthalmic leaders join our existing MAB, now totaling over 20, which represents a distinguished roster of global thought leaders. I look forward to leveraging the expertise of the expanded group who will guide us as we develop and commercialize innovative treatments for front and back of the eye conditions.”
The new members of the Medical Advisory Board are:
- Vitreoretinal Surgeons
- Anat Loewenstein, M.D. is Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Dean at Tel Aviv University. Dr. Loewenstein earned her medical degree at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, completed residency in ophthalmology at the Tel Aviv Medical Center, and completed a fellowship in vitreoretinal disease at the Wilmer Eye Institute at St. Johns Hopkins Hospital.
- Caroline Baumal, M.D. is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts Medical Center and co-director of the retina service and medical retina fellowship at New England Eye Center in Boston, MA. Dr. Baumal earned her medical degree and completed ophthalmology residency at the University of Toronto Medical School. She completed fellowships in Medical Retina and Lasers research at the New England Eye Center and in Vitreoretinal Diseases at Wills Eye Hospital.
- Cornea and Refractive Surgeons
- Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, M.D. is a cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon at Whitsett Vision Group in Texas and chairs the ASCRS Young Eye Surgeons Clinical Committee. Dr. Al-Mohtaseb earned her medical degree and ophthalmology residency at Baylor College of Medicine, and a fellowship in cornea/external disease, cataract and refractive surgery at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
- Inder Paul Singh, M.D. is President of The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha in Wisconsin. Dr. Singh earned his medical degree from Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, completed residency in ophthalmology at Cook County Hospital, and completed fellowship in glaucoma at Duke University.
- Medical Optometrists
- Leslie O’Dell, O.D. is the medical director of Medical Optometry America in Pennsylvania. Dr. O’Dell is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and one of six Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Global Ambassadors for the United States. She also serves as the Secretary for Intrepid Eye Society. Dr. O’Dell graduated from the Salus College of Optometry and completed residency at the Baltimore VA hospital.
- Selina McGee, O.D. is Founder, Chief Optometrist, Executive and Visionary at BeSpoke Vision in Oklahoma and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Northeastern State University College of Optometry. She is a Fellow of the AAO and Vice President of the Intrepid Eye Society. Dr. McGee earned her optometry degree from Northeastern State University College of Optometry.
- Justin Schweitzer, O.D. is the optometric externship director at Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Adjunct Clinical Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry and Kentucky College of Optometry. He serves as current president of the South Dakota Optometric Society. Dr. Schweitzer earned his optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry and completed residency at Vance Thompson Vision.
In addition to the appointment of new MAB members, Ocuphire announced the promotion of Ronil Patel, M.S, to vice president, Business Development and Market Strategy. Mr. Patel has over 15 years of experience in medical research, biotech R&D, and pharmaceutical business development. He has worked in ophthalmology since 2012 and has managed multiple clinical stage assets that achieved FDA approval and are currently being commercialized in the US. Mr. Patel’s global business development experience has involved in-licensing clinical stage assets for development in the US and several biotech exits. He holds a Master of Science degree with specialization in Biotechnology from Florida Institute of Technology.