- Globally Recognized Innovator and Distinguished Scholar in the
Diagnosis and Treatment of Retinal Disorders -
- Brings Extensive Organizational and Leadership Experience -
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ophthotech Corporation (NASDAQ: OPHT) announced today the appointment of
Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, as Chief of Strategic Development. As one
of the world's leading experts in ophthalmology and health management,
Dr. Puliafito's highly distinguished career includes serving most
recently as the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine of the University of
Southern California, a position that he held from 2007 to 2016. Under
his leadership of 4,000 employees and 1,700 faculty members, the Keck
School of Medicine has become one of the nation's preeminent
research-intensive medical schools. Dr. Puliafito's prolific
accomplishments at USC include revenue growth of the School of Medicine,
fundraising initiatives resulting in over $1 billion in gifts and
pledges, and integration of 19 disparate practices outside of the
university into a single faculty practice under USC's ownership. Prior
to that, Dr. Puliafito served as Chair and Professor of the Department
of Ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of
Miami Miller School of Medicine, which he led to its top position in U.S.
News & World Report's ranking of eye hospitals. Prior to his
leadership at Bascom Palmer, he served as founding director of the New
England Eye Center and Chair and Professor of the Department of
Ophthalmology at Tufts University. In addition to his extensive academic
achievements, Dr. Puliafito also earned an MBA from the Wharton School
of the University of Pennsylvania.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors and management team, we are
delighted to welcome Dr. Carmen Puliafito to Ophthotech," stated Samir
Patel, MD, President and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Ophthotech.
"Throughout his career, Carmen has been at the forefront of
revolutionary and groundbreaking technology for retinal disorders. I am
confident that his legacy of innovation, bold ideas, and creative
business models will prove to be huge assets for patients and our
stakeholders. It is a true privilege to have Carmen join our company
during this exciting period for Ophthotech."
"Samir and I have had a professional relationship with Carmen that
commenced at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical
School, over 25 years ago," stated David R. Guyer, MD, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of Ophthotech. "We are honored and
excited to work with him again."
"With their unwavering commitment to science and proven experience,
including bringing the first anti-VEGF therapy to market for wet AMD, I
believe David, Samir and the Ophthotech team are poised to introduce the
next therapeutic paradigm for wet AMD patients," stated Dr. Puliafito.
"Wet AMD is a growing epidemic with major unmet need. Throughout my
career I have dedicated myself to foster a productive relationship with
industry and academia to introduce effective solutions for patients. I
am particularly pleased to become part of this dynamic and driven team
with shared values."
Dr. Patel added, "With the addition of Carmen, we continue to bolster
our leadership team which now includes five board certified retinal
specialists with synergistic skills and domain expertise. We believe
this culture of accountability will pay dividends in addressing the
growing unmet need for wet AMD patients."
Dr. Puliafito is recognized worldwide for his innovative advances such
as the co-invention of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a
revolutionary technology for the management of macular diseases. For
this work, he was awarded the 2002 Rank Prize (along with James Fujimoto
and Eric Swanson) - the world's most prestigious award in
optoelectronics. Dr. Puliafito was also awarded the Champalimaud Vision
Award (along with James Fujimoto, Eric Swanson, David Huang and Joel
Schuman), often called the "Nobel Prize for Vision," a prestigious
scientific and humanitarian award. He was also the first to describe the
use of a semiconductor diode laser for retinal photocoagulation, and
pioneered basic science research in excimer laser photoablation and
optical breakdown and photodisruption. Dr. Puliafito has also been at
the forefront of clinical innovation, including the introduction of
Avastin® (bevacizumab) for the treatment of retinal
disorders. His business acumen as Dean at USC and Chairman at Tufts
University and Bascom Palmer Eye institute has set an exemplary standard
for serving all stakeholders.
Dr. Puliafito started his career at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Infirmary and Harvard Medical School, where he was the founder of the
Laser Research Laboratory and associate professor of ophthalmology at
Harvard Medical School. A cum laude graduate of Harvard College and a
magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Medical School, he completed his
residency and fellowships in ophthalmic pathology and vitreoretinal
diseases and surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr.
Puliafito is on leave from his position as Professor of Ophthalmology
and Health Management at the USC Roski Eye Institute.
About Ophthotech Corporation
Ophthotech is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the
development of novel therapeutics to treat back of the eye diseases,
with a focus on developing innovative therapies for age-related macular
degeneration (AMD). Ophthotech's most advanced product candidate, Fovista®
anti-PDGF therapy, is in Phase 3 clinical trials for use in combination
with anti-VEGF therapy that represents the current standard of care for
the treatment of wet AMD. Ophthotech's second product candidate, Zimura®,
an inhibitor of complement factor C5, is being developed for the
treatment of geographic atrophy, a form of dry AMD, and in combination
with anti-VEGF therapy in wet AMD patients. For more information, please
visit www.ophthotech.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Ophthotech's future
expectations, plans and prospects constitute forward-looking statements
for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include any
statements about Ophthotech's strategy, future operations and future
expectations and plans and prospects for Ophthotech, and any other
statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend", "goal," "may", "might," "plan," "predict,"
"project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should,"
"continue," and similar expressions. In this press release, Ophthotech's
forward looking statements include statements about the potential
utility and market potential of its product candidates for the treatment
of AMD and the timing and progress of its clinical development programs.
Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and
uncertainties that could cause Ophthotech's clinical development
programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ
significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those
related to the initiation and conduct of clinical trials, availability
of data from clinical trials and expectations for regulatory approvals
or other actions and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors"
section contained in the quarterly and annual reports that Ophthotech
files with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements represent
Ophthotech's views only as of the date of this press release. Ophthotech
anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views
to change. While Ophthotech may elect to update these forward-looking
statements at some point in the future, Ophthotech specifically
disclaims any obligation to do so except as required by law.
OPHT-G
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160428005494/en/
Investors
Ophthotech Corporation
Kathy Galante,
212-845-8231
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate
Communications
kathy.galante@ophthotech.com
or
Media
SmithSolve
LLC on behalf of Ophthotech Corporation
Jennifer Devine,
973-442-1555 ext. 102
Jennifer.devine@smithsolve.com
Source: Ophthotech
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