This week on The Rob & Jai Show , an edition of the OIS Podcast, Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh welcome Tomas Navratil, PhD, Chief Development Officer at Glaukos, to discuss the company’s remarkable transformation from MIGS pioneer to a diversified global leader in ophthalmology. Glaukos is advancing a robust pipeline that spans devices, pharmaceuticals, and drug-device combinations—reshaping the future of eye care. Highlights from the episode include: How Glaukos tripled its R&D pip...
Jun 06, 2025•10 min•Ep. 419
This week on The Rob & Jai Show , an edition of the OIS Podcast, Rob Rothman and Jai Parekh welcome Shawn O'Neil, President and Chief Commercial Officer of ViaLase, to discuss a cutting-edge advancement in glaucoma treatment. Velas is pioneering the FLIGHT procedure— Femtosecond Laser Image-Guided High-Precision Trabeculotomy —a non-invasive, incision-free alternative to traditional surgery. Highlights from the episode include: How ViaLase combines femtosecond laser precision with advanced O...
May 23, 2025•32 min•Ep. 418
This week on The Rob & Jai Show, an edition of the OIS Podcast, Perry Sternberg, CEO of Sydnexis, discusses the company's efforts to bring its innovative SYD-101 product to market, which aims to slow the progression of pediatric myopia. Challenges in Market Access: Sternberg emphasizes the challenges of market access and reimbursement, explaining that it's not just about the product’s price but also the value proposition it offers. Launch Plans for 2026: The company is planning for a 2026 la...
May 09, 2025•38 min•Ep. 417
In this edition of The Rob & Jai Show , the OIS Podcast welcomes Adam Szaronos, CEO of IanTrek, for a wide-ranging conversation on innovation, leadership, and unlocking new pathways in glaucoma care. Adam walks us through his career journey from Alcon to TearLab to leading IanTrek, where he’s now championing a new class of glaucoma procedures with AloeFlow™—a minimally invasive, tissue-based implant that activates the uveoscleral pathway. Together with hosts Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parek...
Apr 25, 2025•38 min•Ep. 416
In this edition of The Rob & Jai Show, Paul Smith, President & COO of Orasis Pharmaceuticals, joins Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh for a compelling conversation on his career path and the commercialization of Qlosi™—a novel, FDA-approved, low-dose pilocarpine eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia. With more than two decades of experience across Alcon, Novartis, and now Orasis, Smith reflects on his unique career trajectory from tech startups to ophthalmic leadership, the importanc...
Apr 11, 2025•36 min•Ep. 415
In this edition of the OIS Podcast, a powerhouse panel of investment, banking, and biotech leaders offers unfiltered insights on the current and future state of the ophthalmic industry. Featuring Andrew Gitkin (Leerink Partners), Cameron Taylor (Bank of America), Susan Orr, PhD (Claris Bio), and Anupam Dalal, MD (Acuta Capital), and Dr. Pravin Dugel, Chairman and CEO of Ocular Therapeutix, this session explores how macroeconomic and political shifts—such as RFK Jr.'s FDA rhetoric and rising inte...
Mar 28, 2025•32 min•Ep. 414
In this episode of The Rob & Jai Show , Michael O’Rourke, CEO of Re-Vana Therapeutics, joins Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh to explore the next-generation of sustained drug delivery in ophthalmology. With millions of intravitreal injections administered annually for retinal diseases like AMD, the need for longer-lasting, more effective treatments has never been greater. O’Rourke explains how Re-Vana’s proprietary hydrogel-based technologies are setting a new standard for biodegradable, s...
Mar 14, 2025•14 min•Ep. 413
In this episode of The Rob & Jai Show, Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh host a captivating conversation with Andrew Stewart and Anthony Wallace—two leaders who are among the most experienced and admired executives in ophthalmology. Andrew Stewart, with over 25 years of pharmaceutical leadership across Bausch + Lomb, AbbVie, and Allergan, shares how his global business acumen shapes innovation in eye care. Anthony Wallace, a 26-year healthcare veteran with leadership roles at Novartis, Merc...
Feb 28, 2025•24 min•Ep. 412
In this OIS Podcast episode, host Dr. Robert Rothman sits down with Daphne Haim-Langford, PhD, Founder & CEO of Tarsier Pharma, and Ashley Kline, Chief Commercial Officer, to discuss their groundbreaking approach to uveitis treatment. Tarsier’s lead candidate, TRS01, is a first-in-class bio-inspired therapy designed to control inflammation without raising intraocular pressure, a major complication of steroid treatments. With a unique mechanism of action that modulates macrophages and reduces...
Feb 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 411
In this episode of Eye on Innovation , host Carey Powers introduces the Next-Gen Innovators series with special guest Dr. Vikram Shankar , an ophthalmologist at Stanford and co-founder of Dropmate. Dr. Shankar discusses how his passion for public health and patient care inspired the creation of Dropmate—a compact, affordable, and eco-friendly disinfection system for clinical eye care equipment. Learn how this technology addresses patient safety, cost savings, and environmental sustainability, al...
Jan 31, 2025•24 min•Ep. 410
In this episode of The Rob and Jai Show , Dave LeCause, a renowned biopharmaceutical leader and former VP of Allergan Eye Care, reflects on his remarkable career in ophthalmology. Join us as Dave discusses his journey from leading commercial strategies for billion-dollar brands to mentoring the next generation of innovators. Hear his thoughts on innovation cycles, the evolving landscape of dry eye treatments, and why gene and cell therapies hold the key to ophthalmology’s future. In this episode...
Jan 17, 2025•12 min•Ep. 409
In this double-feature episode of the OIS Eye on Innovation Podcast , Carey Powers highlights the invaluable resources and expertise within the OIS community, showcasing the power of cross-collaboration and strategic foresight in biotech. Part 1: Dr. Francis Lasowski (C20/20 Innovation Hub) and Dr. Wendy Naimark (Ripple Therapeutics) discuss their long-standing partnership, which has propelled Ripple's success through groundbreaking innovations, including dry AMD research and key advancements in...
Jan 03, 2025•21 min•Ep. 408
In this episode of The Rob and Jai Show from OIS XIV, hosts Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh talk with Eric Schlumpf, CEO of Stuart Therapeutics, about the company’s transformative approach to ophthalmic diseases. Learn how Stuart's innovative polypeptide technology repairs damaged collagen, advancing from dry eye to neuroprotection in glaucoma and beyond. Eric highlights key milestones, including promising clinical trial results, strategic partnerships, and the company’s plans to tackle major...
Dec 20, 2024•15 min•Ep. 407
Carey Powers caught up with five innovative companies at this years OIS XIV in San Diego, to discuss the latest advancements in ophthalmology on the OIS podcast. Topics included touchless laser therapy for presbyopia, extending the duration of intravitreal treatments, next-generation tear fluid testing, and new imaging methodologies for vitreoretinal conditions. Guests include: Alex Lopez , Chief Commercial Officer - Ace Vision Group Houman Hemmati, MD, PhD , Co-Founder & Chief Medical Offic...
Dec 06, 2024•25 min
In this episode, listen in as Dr. Robert Rothman speaks with Dr. Daniel Brocks, CMO of BostonSight! They discuss the unique PROSE lenses that are redefining corneal care and how BostonSight’s nonprofit mission is making advanced treatments accessible to more patients. Key takeaways include: PROSE Lenses : Customized scleral lenses that protect, hydrate, and restore vision for complex eye conditions. Increased Accessibility : BostonSight’s new tech-driven approach to simplify lens fitting for bro...
Nov 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 406
In this episode of the OIS Retina Podcast, Firas Rahhal sits down with Jean-Pierre Hubschman, CEO of Horizon Surgical, to discuss the revolutionary advancements in robotic eye surgery. Highlights include: The development of the "IRISS" robotic platform and its focus on cataract surgery. Insights into AI-driven precision, decision-making, and visualization in surgery. Challenges of transitioning from academia to a successful medtech startup. Future potential for robotics in glaucoma, retina, and ...
Oct 18, 2024•56 min•Ep. 405
In this episode of the OIS Podcast, host Rob Rothman sits down with Jay Cormier, CEO of Eyedaptic, to explore innovative solutions for individuals with vision loss. They discuss Eyedaptic's groundbreaking technology and its impact on enhancing daily life for those with visual impairments. Key Highlights: Insight into the inspiration behind Eyedaptic and its mission to improve independence for the visually impaired. Overview of the EYE5 product, an augmented reality solution that enhances mobilit...
Oct 04, 2024•39 min
In this week’s OIS Podcast episode, Host Dr. Robert Rothman sits down with Almog Aley-Raz, CEO of CorNeat Vision, for a fascinating discussion. They cover: Almog’s career journey from Israel to the U.S. How a mountain biking trip with an ophthalmologist sparked the idea for CorNeat Vision Corneal blindness as a global issue and the need for better solutions, especially in regions with limited donor tissue and trained surgeons CorNeat's groundbreaking synthetic cornea, made with their unique mate...
Aug 23, 2024•30 min
Exciting insights from the OIS Retina Panel! Moderated by Dr. Emmett Cunningham, this discussion dives deep into the current state of ophthalmology investment and innovation. Panelists, Anna Chen, Adit Ghosh, Dr. Firas Rahhal and Caroline Stout shared their perspectives on the evolving landscape, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in the field. Here are the key takeaways: Cautious Optimism: A resurgence in private markets, but drug development challenges persist. Growth Areas: Focus ...
Aug 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 402
Don’t miss the OIS Retina Panel, moderated by Dr. Pravin Dugel, “The View from the Street.” Join Dr. Anupam Dalal, Andrew Gitkin, and Cameron Taylor as they discuss the latest in ophthalmology, including: Current Challenges: Few blockbuster drugs and limited M&A activity Opportunities: Growth potential from recent GA therapy successes Strategic Insights: Importance of community and networking Get valuable insights from industry experts and stay ahead of the curve. Listen in now!...
Jul 26, 2024•28 min•Ep. 401
Discover the milestone 400th episode of the OIS podcast with Dr. Firas Rahhal and Dr. Robert Rothman, where they explore the impact of Ophthalmology Innovation Summit (OIS) on the investment ecosystem: Journey of OIS Rich Insights Collaboration Clinical Mastery Long-Term Relationships Humor and Admiration Future of Ophthalmology Tune in to this episode for a blend of knowledge, inspiration, and laughter as they navigate the future of eye care innovation. Don’t miss out—listen now!...
Jul 12, 2024•54 min•Ep. 400
In this episode of Eye on Innovation Podcast, Carey Powers delves into the latest advancements in corneal crosslinking technology with expert guest Dr. Deepinder Dhaliwal. Dr. Dhaliwal, a renowned professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of refractive surgery at the UPMC Vision Institute, shares her extensive knowledge and insights. Here’s what you can expect: Prevalence of Keratoconus : Discover how improved diagnostic imaging has revealed a hig...
Jun 21, 2024•9 min•Ep. 399
In our latest episode, host Dr. Rob Rothman interviews Greg Kunst, CEO of Aurion Biotech, to delve into the forefront of cell therapy for corneal disease. Join us to discover: Greg's journey from pivotal roles at Alcon and Glaukos to leading Aurion Biotech The innovative allogenic cell therapy technology developed by Aurion How this technology addresses the global shortage of corneal tissue Insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in scaling production and securing market approval Future a...
Jun 07, 2024•41 min•Ep. 398
This week's OIS Podcast features a compelling panel discussion from the Dry Horizons Symposium co-presented by Ora and OIS, held on May 3 in Seattle. The panel, comprising leading experts in ophthalmology and dry eye research, covered essential topics in the field: 🔹Advancements in Diagnostics: Insights into new tools and technologies for more accurate and reliable diagnosis of dry eye syndrome. 🔹Regulatory Challenges: Discussion on the regulatory landscape and the hurdles faced in gaining app...
May 24, 2024•37 min
Explore the cutting-edge world of ophthalmology with the Eye on Innovation Podcast. In the latest episode, Carey Powers hosts Dr. Rishi Singh and Dr. Michael Singer as they delve into how AI and robotics are transforming retina medicine, bringing unprecedented changes to diagnosis, clinical trials, and patient care. This insightful discussion provides valuable information for ophthalmologists, researchers, and anyone interested in the future of eye care. Here’s what you can expect from this epis...
May 10, 2024•14 min•Ep. 396
In this compelling OIS podcast episode, host Dr. Rob Rothman engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Malvina Eydelman, the Director of the FDA's Office of Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT, and Dental Devices. Delve into Malvina's unique career journey and discover how her diverse background in engineering and ophthalmology has influenced her work at the FDA. Here's what you can expect from this episode: Malvina's Journey: Learn how Malvina went from growing up in Georgia to becomi...
Apr 26, 2024•43 min•Ep. 395
In the latest episode of the OIS podcast, host Dr. Rob Rothman delves into the transformative power of empathy with multi-Emmy award-winning actress and writer, Ellen Gould. Together, they explore the intersection of healthcare and storytelling, shedding light on the importance of patient-centered care and authentic narrative representation. Episode Highlights: Personal Journey: Ellen shares her journey living with Stargardt's disease and its profound influence on her perspective and creative en...
Apr 12, 2024•44 min•Ep. 394
In this episode, Dr. Jai Parekh shares his journey from ophthalmology to business leadership in healthcare. Raised in New Jersey, he initially pursued cardiology before discovering his passion for ophthalmology. Specializing in cornea and refractive surgery, he transitioned into the commercial side of the field, leveraging his clinical expertise and business acumen. Key points covered in the episode include: Transition into the commercial side of ophthalmology, leveraging clinical expertise and ...
Mar 29, 2024•51 min•Ep. 393
Don't miss the latest episode of the OIS Retina Podcast, where we sit down with optometrist and ophthalmology researcher Brian Levy for an illuminating discussion on the future of eye care. In this episode, Brian takes us on a journey through his career, from his early days in vet school to his groundbreaking work at Presbyterian Medical Center, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Bausch + Lomb and currently at InflammX Therapeutics. Here are some key talking points from the episode: 🔹 Brian's transition fr...
Mar 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 392
Tune in to the latest episode of the Eye On Innovation podcast where Carey Powers dives into the dynamic world of biotech investor pitch decks with special guest Dr. Rob Rothman, Founding Partner of InFocus Capital Partners. Discover the top five mistakes to avoid when crafting your pitch deck and gain exclusive insights from Dr. Rothman's wealth of experience in ophthalmology and venture capital. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of tailoring your pitch deck to specific investors. S...
Mar 01, 2024•19 min•Ep. 391
