Allen C. Ho

About Allen C. Ho

What is the most exciting thing happening in retina right now?

Multiple shots on goal based on new translational science to address unmet need. I am excited by the extensive translational science and resource investments in improving our strategies for important common retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and AMD as well as new approaches to arguably our most neglected patients with great visual disabilities, for example, the broad array of inherited retinal degenerations. The retina innovation ecosystem is robust.

Make a bold prediction for the future of retina treatment.

In-human gene therapy was first approved in 2017 and began in the subretinal space (Spark's voretigene pioneered by Jean Bennett and Albert Maguire for Leber congenital amaurosis RPE65 biallelic mutation) and since then over 30 gene therapies have been approved across many fields of medicine. In the next five years we will bring it back to the eye and see more gene therapies approved for retinal diseases.