The Final Frontier

Let’s start with congratulations...

Thank you! All great things begin with one gamechanger – and, for gene therapy, I believe that is Avellino. We have fantastic technologies for the cornea, and we’re making steps in retina and glaucoma – but we’re not where we need to be just yet; that said, we’ve never had genetic testing in the eye before now, so I’m really happy to be part of the team bringing it to the market. The fact that much is still unknown about gene therapy excites me – and I know it excites our industry too. I’m honored to be able to work with Avellino.

What can you bring to Avellino that others couldn’t?

My global perspective and my experience. I’ve been in the industry for 40 years and I believe I can help this company progress by sharing my knowledge and lessons learned.

Are you still holding onto your title as Global President Ophthalmic Devices at ZEISS?

Most definitely. But I like to be at the forefront of new opportunities in this great industry, and you can see that through the companies that I’m associated with. ZEISS – the world leader in optics. IanTECH – with its revolutionary way of extracting the lens. Neurotech – with its revolutionary means of providing VEGF to the retina. And now Avellino – with its revolutionary way of genetically identifying risk factors, and soon treating ophthalmic diseases.

How do you perceive the demand for gene therapy in ophthalmology?

Patients across the globe are requesting personalized therapy and Avellino is ideally positioned to offer it. Of course, it has benefits for doctors too. Genetic testing allows them to be proactive rather than reactive, which is one of the challenges in healthcare. Physicians are under tremendous strain, having to look after a large number of patients, routinely making critical decisions under time constraints. The more personalized tools we can provide them to identify diseases before they progress, the better.

And do you think doctors are receptive to gene therapy?

Ophthalmologists are always interested in the cutting edge, which is what I love about them – but they also have high standards. It is our job as a company to provide them with the necessary tools and information to take advantage of gene therapy. We have to prove that what we’re offering really works, and then work with the physicians to educate their patients. This has been the hallmark of some of the most successful breakthrough technologies in ophthalmology – physicians and companies working together to educate the patients.

How has the industry changed over the last 40 years?

There have been four major changes that I can think of. The first relates to the growth of our practitioners. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists have changed for the better and I am continually amazed by their willingness to try new technologies. The second change has been an increase in collaboration between doctors and industry. That is something you don’t see in any other specialty, which leads to the third change – the understanding of new technologies and their subsequent adaptation. Technologies are being introduced and then adapted to suit doctors’ needs because they’re already working with industry. The barrier to entry is much smaller. The fourth and most significant change has been globalization. I’ve lived in Canada, Rome and London, and traveled across the globe. Now, when I land somewhere new, I don’t have to reintroduce my company or products because people there already know as much as (if not more than) I do, thanks to the globalization of our industry.

What is the biggest challenge facing the ophthalmic community today?

There are many more patients than there are doctors. This isn’t just a problem in the US, the UK or China, this is a global phenomenon. We can’t extend the day, week or year – at least not yet anyway – so it is our job to provide better tools so that physicians are able to make faster diagnoses and for patients to self-diagnose at home. Diagnosis is a challenge in itself, which is where Avellino comes in. If we use genetic testing to diagnose patients, we can be more proactive in managing disease. We can start to identify when patients need to visit a doctor, what they should be watching out for and what conditions they’re likely to be prone to.

Any last comments?

Personalized medicine is where our industry is going – and Avellino is going to lead the way.