WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of product candidates using its proprietary mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology, today announced the appointment of Todd Bazemore as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. He will report directly to Mark Iwicki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kala Pharmaceuticals and is expected to join Kala on November 20, 2017.
“We welcome Todd to the team. He brings a proven track record and significant experience in sales, marketing and market access that will be integral as we prepare Kala to become a commercial organization,” said Mark Iwicki. “Additionally, Todd’s strategic know-how in business development and new product planning will prove critical as we build the organization and look to maximize the potential of our MPP platform.”
Todd Bazemore commented, “It’s a transformational time for Kala as its lead product candidates, INVELTYS and KPI-121 0.25%, are approaching the finish line with the potential to enhance the treatment for two important ocular conditions. I look forward to working with the team as Kala makes the transition to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with commercial capabilities.”
Todd is a biopharmaceutical executive with 23 years of experience spanning from ultra-rare orphan diseases to large primary care conditions. Prior to joining Kala Pharmaceuticals, Todd served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Santhera Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc. since September 2016, where he was instrumental in building the U.S. operations to support the company’s regulatory and commercial strategy. Prior to joining Santhera U.S., Todd served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Dyax Corp., where he was responsible for global commercial strategy and oversight of all commercial functions. Dyax was acquired by Shire Plc in January of 2016. Prior to joining Dyax, Todd was at Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (previously Sepracor Inc., prior to its acquisition by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd), where he served in several roles of increasing responsibility including Vice President, Managed Markets, Vice President of Sales, and Vice President of Respiratory Business Unit. He began his career in sales at MURO Pharmaceuticals. Todd has a Bachelor’s of Science in Health from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
About Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kala is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology, with an initial focus on the treatment of eye diseases. Kala has applied the MPP technology to a corticosteroid designed for ocular applications, resulting in two lead product candidates. The product candidates are INVELTYSTM (KPI-121 1%) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery, for which we have submitted a NDA, and KPI-121 0.25% for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, which is currently in Phase 3 clinical development.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties including statements regarding the development and regulatory status of the company's product candidates, including INVELTYSTM (KPI-121 1%) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery and KPI-121 0.25% for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, including statements regarding the Company’s strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: whether our submitted NDA for INVELTYS will be accepted for filing and approved; uncertainties inherent in the availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials; whether the data from our Phase 3 clinical trials of KPI-121 0.25% will warrant submission of an NDA on the timeline expected, or at all, and whether any such NDA would will be approved; expectations for regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; whether the Company’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Company’s foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the Company’s product candidates; and other important factors, any of which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s views as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.