OIS Podcast | Ophthalmology's leading Podcast

Discussion on Drug Delivery Technologies with Some of Pharma’s Best and Brightest Executives

This week we veer off the beaten path to bring you a unique panel discussion with industry leaders from Allergan, Santen, Genentech, and Aerie Pharmaceuticals. Each share expertise on drug development technologies and discusses insights on some of the hurdles they have had to overcome to successfully roll out products in pharma.

Nature as an Inspiration for Innovation

This week the OIS podcast brings you a thoughtful conversation with host Dr. Emmett Cunningham and guest Daphne Haim-Langford, PhD, Founder & CEO of Tarsius Pharma. Daphne takes us through her 20+ years in the Ophthalmology industry, complete with details about her latest clinical trials to tackle uveitis, the third leading cause of blindness.

A lot of Skill and a Little Bit of Luck

This week we shift gears back to “R” for the OIS Retina Podcast with Dr Firas Rahhal and his esteemed guest Dr Steven Schwartz who raises the bar as a physician, an educator and of course an innovator. Steve shares his unlikely path into ophthalmology and how serendipity or luck surrounded him with great people which led to great opportunities. Steve shares an entertaining look at his career, the many start-ups that he’s had a hand in and the future of surgical robotics. If there’s one episo...

A lot of Skill and a Little Bit of Luck

This week we shift gears back to “R” for the OIS Retina Podcast with Dr Firas Rahhal and his esteemed guest Dr Steven Schwartz who raises the bar as a physician, an educator and of course an innovator. Steve shares his unlikely path into ophthalmology and how serendipity or luck surrounded him with great people which led to great opportunities. Steve shares an entertaining look at his career, the many start-ups that he’s had a hand in and the future of surgical robotics. If there’s one episo...

The Steve Jobs of Ophthalmology

This week’s guest is a Harvard-trained physician-scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, and serial innovator. The one and only Sean Ianchulev shares his story as an emigrant of communist Bulgaria who overcame many obstacles to become one of the top innovators in the field of ophthalmology. We learn why he committed to the uncertain winding path of innovation over the straight-line physician career/clinical practice. Early formative projects on digital diagnostics with the first virtual device fo...

Doctor to Doctor with President and CEO, Euclid Systems Corporation

In this wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Joe Boorady shares his perspective on the state of ophthalmic care today, his experience transforming powerful ideas into high-impact realities, and the spark that lights his entrepreneurial fire. Interviewed by Paul Karpecki, OD, this week’s conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

An Intimate Look at the Future of Ocular Gene Therapy

On this week’s OIS Retina podcast, we have the privilege of talking to Steve Pakola, MD. Steve is an industry veteran who has held key leadership roles in preclinical and clinical development, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs. Currently, he serves as Chief Medical Officer at REGENXBIO, a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy.

A Stimulating Conversation with Patrik De Haes, MD - CEO at Oxurion

With a medical career spanning 35 years, including as global head of immunology at Sandoz (now Novartis), Patrik De Haes, MD, has cultivated deep experience turning scientific ambition into life-changing reality. In this unmissable episode, we talk to Dr. De Haes, now CEO of Brussels-based Oxurion, to get a deeper look at the business, research, and cultural elements that drive a product’s journey from concept to commercial.

Tim Clover, CEO of Rayner Talks About the Company’s Deep History in Ophthalmology, As Well As Their Future Plans For Innovation

This week the OIS Podcast hits a milestone with Episode 250. To mark the occasion, we feature a discussion with Tim Clover from the recent OIS European Innovation Showcase. Tim talks about his journey with Rayner and some significant changes he’s made since joining in 2014.  Listen in (or watch) to learn more about Tim and his vision for Rayner’s expansion as a dominant player in eye-care. 

Impacting Lives Using Tomorrow's Technology

This week, we sat down with Savas Komban, an industrial engineer, serial entrepreneur, and CEO at Smartlens, the first electronics-free soft contact lens that measures eye pressure and its fluctuations throughout the day. Join host Ehsan Sadri, MD for a riveting conversation on the future of glaucoma care.

A Dynamic Career in Retina

Our podcast guest this week is Jay Duker, Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Tufts Medical Center.  Here, Dr. Duker shares his perspective on exciting clinical trials happening in the posterior space.  He also offers words of advice for clinicians interested in running a practice while holding a senior position in industry. Have A Listen.  

Follow Your Passion

This week’s podcast guest is Christian Roesky, a chemist by training who found a passion for ophthalmology and spent the bulk of his career in management roles with B+L, Alcon and Abbott before taking the leap into the CEO position at Novaliq in 2016.  Christian provides an insider view of Novaliq’s platform technology to address various ophthalmic indications and shares some words of wisdom for other innovators.

The Apprentice

No – not that apprentice. This week we had the pleasure of speaking with Todd Brady, MD/PhD turned VC/EIR turned CEO of Aldeyra back in 2012.  Todd talks about how he transitioned from the lab over to the dark side back in the 90s when “Industry” was still a dirty word.  Todd found his calling as a company builder who has since taken Aldeyra public and into Phase 3 trials with novel treatments for dry eye disease, allergic conjunctivitis, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy.  The company ...

Never Take No For An Answer

This week Dr Sadri is joined by Ram Rao, CEO of LensGen, who developed a curvature changing fluid lens to correct presbyopia. Ram tells his story from the early beginning while collaborating with the late, great Roger Steinert, MD and realizing that they had to go back to the drawing board to reinvent the technology.  Rather than throw in the towel after hearing no repetitively from investors, Ram persevered at all costs, subsequently raised $42M to date and emerged with a breakthrough techn...

Listening to the Needs of the Customer

Seasoned start-up and medtech executive, Rob Thornhill joins us on this week’s OIS Podcast. Rob sold Tear Film to Alcon in 2018 and is back in the saddle as the CEO of Centricity Vision. Dr Sadri has Rob discuss the benefits of the Zepto device in delivering automated, precise, circular, and centered capsulotomies, how their business model evolved during COVID and the future direction for the company.

Treating Challenges as Opportunities

This week, Firas Rahhal sat down (virtually) with none other than Mark Blumenkranz, who shares lessons learned the hard way which led to his proven “Innovation Recipe”. Mark also sheds light on the investing/incubating model for Lagunitas Biosciences and what he claims will be his final CEO role at Kedalion Therapeutics.

Au Petit Bonheur La Chance

This week’s OIS Retina Podcast guest is French-born Patricia Zilliox, who boomeranged back to her homeland to become president and CEO of Eyevensys. Before that she’d spent 25 years with Alcon before joining the Foundation Fighting Blindness as chief drug development officer.  When a family matter brought her back to France, she was introduced to Eyevensys through the investment group BPI France.  Having spent so much time evaluating new therapies at FFB, she was intrigued by Eyevensys’ ...

The Lindstrom Method: Say ‘Yes’ to Opportunities

If there’s one podcast you listen to all year – this is it! Dick Lindstrom explains how saying “Yes” to opportunities, led him into an extremely gratifying and successful career in ophthalmology – which was the furthest thing from his plan to take over the family construction business. This episode is packed with gems of insights on building an academic practice and working with industry to balancing work and family.  Ophthalmology’s leaders convene at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summits...

Say Yes To Opportunities

If there’s one podcast you listen to all year – this is it! Dick Lindstrom explains how saying “Yes” to opportunities, led him into an extremely gratifying and successful career in ophthalmology – which was the furthest thing from his plan to take over the family construction business. This episode is packed with gems of insights on building an academic practice and working with industry to balancing work and family.  Ophthalmology’s leaders convene at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summits...

Dr. Ken Mandell’s Passion for Innovation

This week’s guest is Kenneth Mandell, MD, PhD, an ophthalmologist by training with a PhD in molecular biology who has been blessed with some amazing mentors who guided him into a fascinating career in ophthalmology.  Ken’s educational and research pedigree includes: Tufts, Emory, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology; he also has an equally impressive corporate resume. Ken took his passion for biomedical engineering, combined with a spin-out technology from MIT ...

Paul Hallen #239

Paul Hallen’s View of Retina from the Catbird’s Seat

In this third OIS Retina Podcast, host Firas Rahhal, MD, sits down with Paul Hallen, VP, Global Head, Retina and Glaucoma, at Alcon, who talks about how he grew with the company over 31 years and provides an engineer’s perspective on how far innovation in retina surgery has come, and where it’s heading.

The Time is Nau!

Host Ehsan Sadri, MD, is joined by Jeffrey Nau, PhD, who shares insights from a career in ophthalmology that has led to his current role as the CEO of publicly traded Oyster Point Pharma. In this interview, Jeff addresses some of the recent setbacks from COVID-19, conducting business virtually, different indications the company plans to address, and opportunities that lie ahead.

OIS Israel Panel Dives Into Global Industry Insights and Innovation

This week’s podcast is a panel discussion, “Industry Insights and Innovating Internationally,” held last month during the OIS Israel virtual program. The discussion was led by William J. Link, PhD, and included Laurent Attias, Alcon; Prabhu Velusami, MD, Johnson & Johnson London Innovation Center; Frank Chen, Santen Ventures; Richel Liu, Rimonci Capital; and serial entrepreneur Barak Azmon, MD. The panelists, based in different parts of the globe, share varying perspectives on where innovati...

From West Point to ONL’s C-Suite - David Esposito

This week’s special guest on the OIS Retina Podcast is David Esposito, CEO of ONL Therapeutics. A West Point graduate who served as a platoon leader in the first Gulf War, Esposito began his career in ophthalmology as a pharmaceutical sales rep for Merck. This led to several executive positions and eventually to building and scaling private companies. His career came full circle when investors recruited him to ONL Therapeutics a year ago. In this episode, host Firas Rahhal, MD, digs into ONL...

John Hovanesian, MD, on Business, Life, Trends, IOL Technology, and More

The OIS Podcast takes another step forward by posting on both iTunes and YouTube. Listen to or watch this entertaining exchange between host Ehsan Sadri, MD, and John Hovanesian, MD, as Dr. Hovanesian enlightens us with some of his principles in life and business, the pain points that his company, MDbackline, is addressing, future trends in patient care, and intraocular lens technologies that he’s bullish about. Dr. Hovanesian also supplies our Quote of the Week: “The enemy of innovation is...

OIS Retina Podcast: Interview with Serial Inventor Dr. Mark Humayun

This week marks the official launch of the OIS Retina Podcast with host Firas Rahhal, MD, interviewing world-renowned retina specialist and serial inventor Mark Humayun, MD, PhD, as his first guest. Here are a few impressive facts about Dr. Humayun: • He’s the director of the Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics at the University of Southern California and co-director of the USC Roski Eye Institute. • He’s a professor of ophthalmology and a biomedical engine...

Introducing the OIS Retina Podcast!

The big news for podcast listeners is the introduction of the OIS Retina Podcast. In this week’s episode you’ll get to meet the new host Firas Rahhal, MD, a Partner in Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group in Los Angeles and also a Partner in ophthalmology-focused ExSight Ventures. Dr. Rahhal and Ehsan Sadri, MD, host of the OIS Podcast, discuss what it’s like playing dual roles as physicians and investors, the current state of COVID-19, and some exciting retina innovations in the pipeli...

Bill Link’s Road to Ophthalmology and VC

OIS Israel Co-Chair William J. Link, PhD, of Flying L Partners, shares some business life lessons and the unique sequence of events that led him into ophthalmology and eventually venture capital. Dr. Link also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on his portfolio companies and predictions on when and how we as an industry will come out of this. Don’t miss this highly informative and entertaining discussion between Ehsan Sadri, MD, and the man he calls “the Phil Jackson of ophthalmology.”

Bill Link

Innovation Starts at Home (Updated)

Emmett Cunningham talks with Suzana Nahum-Zilberberg about the robust innovation scene in Israel, and how she and co-chair Daphne Haim-Langford, PhD developed the idea for OIS Israel. Register for the next OIS Event at OIS.net

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OIS Podcast Equinox #231

Challenging Conventional Thinking with the Laws of Physics

How does a chance experience scuba diving lead to a treatment for aggressive/progressive glaucoma? John Berdahl, MD, CEO and Founder of Equinox talks about his humble beginnings in a small town and how mentors along the way pushed him to be better than he thought he could be. Joined by his colleague Matt Larson, Equinox President and COO, they share pages directly from the Equinox playbook to talk about how they went from concept to company and their future commercialization plans. Keep a pe...

Elad Kedar and Jeff Weinhuff Share the Recipe for Orasis Pharmaceuticals

Elad Kedar, CEO of Orasis Pharmaceuticals shares his strategy for successfully completing a Phase 2b clinical study in preparation of their phase 3 of CSF-1 drops for temporary correction of presbyopia. Jeff Weinhuff from Visionary Ventures joins the conversation as Chairman of the Board to explain how he evaluated the Orasis technology and what VCs look for.

Leadership - How to Measure & Motivate in a Startup Environment

For this episode of the OIS Podcast, we are sharing a panel discussion on Leadership which took place during the last OIS@AAO meeting in San Francisco. The focus of the conversation was on “How to Measure and Motivate in a Startup Environment” and featured some valuable insights from Adrienne Graves, Bernie Haffey, Ron Kurtz, Kirk Nielsen, and Andy Corley. Participants: Adrienne Graves, PhD, Independent Board Member - Nicox, IVERIC, Oxurion, Akorn, Greenbrook TMS, Surface Pharma Bernie Haf...

Bobak Azamian CEO of Tarsus Addresses Unmet Needs in Blepharitis

In January of 2020, Tarsus raised $60 million Series B financing round to initiate Phase 2b/3 trial in the U.S. of their lead product TP-03 for Demodex blepharitis. In this episode, Bobby Azamian shares his background and path to ophthalmology, details on their clinical trials and practical advice for entrepreneurs. Interviewer: Ehsan Sadri, MD Managing Partner Visionary MD Eye Laser institute Guest: Bobak Azamian, MD, PhD CEO Tarsus Are you interested in being an OIS Podcast guest or int...

Robert Dempsey New CEO of TearClear

This week’s OIS Podcast has breaking news on Robert Dempsey, the new CEO of TearClear, which came at the close of a Series B financing round. Listen to how he plans to take TearClear through the next stages of development. Interviewer: Ehsan Sadri, MD Managing Partner Visionary MD Eye Laser institute Interviewee: Robert Dempsey CEO TearClear If you are interested in being an OIS Podcast Guest or interested in being a Presenter at one of our upcoming showcases – Visit https://ois.net/get-i...

Industry Insights into Innovation

In this episode of the OIS Podcast we are sharing more “best-of” content from the recent OIS@SECO. Summit Co-Chair Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, engages vision industry Titans in a discussion around their latest innovations for both the Ophthalmic and Optometric markets. Participants: Glen Curran, VP, Anterior Segment Marketing, US Eye Care - Allergan John Ferris, VP & General Manager, Vision Care - Bausch + Lomb Kurt Moody, OD, FAAO, Director, Ocular Surface Disease & Professiona...

Innovating Around the Globe

In this episode of the OIS Podcast we get to hear another panel discussion from the last OIS@AAO meeting in San Francisco. Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, led a great discussion about Innovating Around the Globe with 2 international Venture Capitalists and 3 industry executives from Alcon, Santen and Novartis. Participants: Laurent Attias, SVP, Corporate Development Strategy, BD&L and M&A - Alcon Michael Keyoung, MD, PhD, Managing Director & Head, North America - CBC Group Giovanni ...

Collaborative Care in Cataracts & Ocular Surface Disease

In this special episode of the OIS podcast, we have a discussion that took place during the recent OIS@SECO in Atlanta. Summit Co-Chairman, Paul Karpecki, OD, FFAO, set the stage with some staggering figures which led to an insightful conversation between two ODs and two MDs about Collaborative Care models and the benefits to both patients and practices. Participants: Thomas Chester, OD, Clinical Director - Cleveland Eye Clinic Elise Kramer, OD, FAAO - Miami Contact Lens Institute William T...

Innovation Starts at Home

Emmett Cunningham talks with Suzana Nahum-Zilberberg about the robust innovation scene in Israel, and how she and co-chair Daphne Haim-Langford, PhD developed the idea for OIS Israel. Register for the next OIS Event at OIS.net

J&J Vision’s Newly Appointed Worldwide President of Surgical, Mr. Warren Foust Meets with OIS Podcast

This past week OIS Podcast host, Dr. Ehsan Sadri had the opportunity to chat with J&J Vision’s newly appointed Worldwide President of Surgical, Mr. Warren Foust.  In this episode Warren describes his background leading up to this new position. He also shares his “vision” for the organization moving forward, how they plan to enhance the customer experience and challenges to addressing unmet vision needs. REGISTER for our next ophthalmology conference today – OIS.net

J&J’s Tom Frinzi Provides Updates on Innovation Efforts & More

In this episode of the OIS Podcast, Dr. Ehsan Sadri sits down with industry veteran Tom Frinzi to learn about Johnson & Johnson Vision Care’s current innovation efforts, the impact of cuts in reimbursements, growth drivers for the premium channel, and how his team is positioning the company to remain a leader in ophthalmology.  And he provides some practical career advice.

Mitro Opens Up About Aerie’s Programs

Tom Mitro of Aerie Pharmaceuticals opens up to OIS Podcast host Ehsan Sadri, MD, about the company’s key programs, including the Phase II trial of netarsudil ophthalmic solution for treatment of open-angle glaucoma.

Novartis’ Patrick Mooney Gives Inside Look on the Impact of Alcon Spin-Out, Bid to Acquire Xiidra

Patrick Mooney, head of Novartis’ US eye care business, lays out Novartis’ plans following the spin-out of Alcon and bid to acquire the former Shire ophthalmology franchise from Takeda. Where does Novartis see future growth in eye care? Will ophthalmologists and optometrists see a difference? Is Novartis done acquiring products for a while? 

Avedro CEO Reza Zadno Walks Us Through the Recent IPO, Reimbursement Wins, and Future Potential

Avedro Inc. went public on Feb. 14, raising $70 million with its shares pricing at, coincidentally, $14. We talk with Reza Zadno, CEO and president, about the IPO process, which, as you might imagine, she says is as difficult as it looks. We’ll also talk business. Avedro, of course, is a commercial enterprise now, reporting growing sales on its Corneal Crosslinking System that can be used to treat keratoconus, a non-inflammatory eye condition that weakens and misshapes the cornea. What does ...

Oculis CEO Riad Sherif Talks About Novartis, Alcon, and What’s Promising in His Company’s Pipeline

Oculis CEO Riad Sherif, who once worked for Novartis and Alcon, reveals which company he’d invest in following the spin-off of the latter from the former – but mostly about the Switzerland-based start-up’s promising new pipeline for DME, post-surgery inflammation, and dry eye.

Oyster Point Pharma CEO Jeffrey Nau Highlights Details of the Company’s Recent B Round, Ponders IPO

With more than $100 million raised in venture capital and three late-stage clinical programs, Oyster Point Pharma is getting a lot done in a short amount of time. In this podcast, CEO and president Jeffrey Nau reveals how the company is working so quickly and ponders what the next major milestone might be. 

Oyster Point Pharma CEO Jeffrey Nau Highlights Details of the Company’s Recent B Round, Ponders IPO

With more than $100 million raised in venture capital and three late-stage clinical programs, Oyster Point Pharma is getting a lot done in a short amount of time. In this podcast, CEO and president Jeffrey Nau reveals how the company is working so quickly and ponders what the next major milestone might be.