BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OcuTerra Therapeutics, Inc. (“OcuTerra”), a clinical stage ophthalmology company developing innovative drugs to treat ophthalmic diseases for which the current standard of care of watch and wait does not prevent or control the progression of disease, today announced the appointments of Richard Lindstrom, M.D., and Sheri Rowen, M.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board.
“True visionaries, Dick and Sheri are renowned for the advancements and contributions they have made to the field of vision. We are thrilled they are joining our Scientific Advisory Board at this pivotal time of growth at OcuTerra,” said Kerrie Brady, Chief Executive Officer of OcuTerra. “The breadth of their expertise as ophthalmologists and commitment to innovation aligns with our mission to change the standard of care for the treatment of diabetic eye disease.”
Dr. Lindstrom and Dr. Rowen join an esteemed group of scientific advisors at OcuTerra, where they will serve as a strategic resource and provide scientific review and counsel to help guide the company’s development of innovative drugs for ophthalmic diseases for which the current standard of care of watch and wait does not prevent or control the progression of disease.
“I am compelled by OcuTerra’s sound science and the initial clinical results for the company’s integrin inhibitor with topical administration,” said Dr. Lindstrom. “With demonstrated safety, tolerability and clear clinical evidence of biological activity in early clinical studies, OTT166 shows tremendous potential to treat diabetic retinopathy. I look forward to working with the team as a scientific advisor and playing a role in helping to develop next-generation technologies that provide new treatment options for patients.”
“I am delighted and honored to join the OcuTerra team as the company prepares to initiate Phase 2 trials for OTT166 in patients with diabetic retinopathy,” said Dr. Rowen. “The eye drop application could offer a tremendous benefit as the current standard of care of ‘watch and wait’ for a sight complication or vision deterioration can be problematic and sometimes irreversible. Earlier intervention is needed to prevent or slow down disease progression and OTT166 may enable this opportunity.”
Dr. Richard Lindstrom
Dr. Lindstrom is a Founder and Attending Surgeon at Minnesota Eye Consultants, P.A., a provider of eye care services. A Board-certified ophthalmologist and internationally recognized leader in corneal, cataract, refractive and laser surgery, Dr. Lindstrom has developed a number of solutions, intraocular lenses and instruments that are used in clinical practices globally. He is Adjunct Clinical Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, Department of Ophthalmology. He is Board Member: University of Minnesota Foundation, Visiting Professor, UC Irvine‘s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. He also is past President of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the International Society of Refractive Surgery. Dr. Lindstrom holds a B.A. in pre-medical studies, a B.S. in Medicine and an M.D. from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Sheri Rowen
Dr. Rowen is an experienced physician who has pioneered new treatments and techniques for ophthalmic surgery. She is active in helping pave the way for new ophthalmic innovations coming to market by serving as Principal Investigator for numerous FDA trials. Dr. Rowen is an advisor on several medical and scientific advisory boards and continues to practice in Newport Beach, CA. Dr. Rowen is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. She is also an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. Dr. Rowen acts as President Emeritus of Cedars Aspens Society and serves on the Medical Editorial Board of CRST and Presbyopia Physician. She earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed her surgical internship and fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital and a two-year vitreoretinal research fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute. Dr. Rowen’s residency training for ophthalmology was completed at the University of Maryland.
About OTT166
OTT166 is a novel, patented, potent and selective small molecule integrin inhibitor purpose engineered to have an optimum balance of physiochemical properties to allow it to distribute to the retina in high concentrations after topical (eye drop) administration to the eye. It selectively inhibits key integrin subtypes αvβ3, αvβ6 and αvβ8 to regulate cellular responses to VEGF and other growth factors known to contribute to development and progression of diabetic retinopathy and other ocular diseases. In early clinical studies in patients with diabetic retinal disease, OTT166 eye drops have demonstrated evidence of safety, tolerability and biological activity.
About OcuTerra Therapeutics
OcuTerra Therapeutics, Inc. is developing innovative drugs for ophthalmic diseases for which the current standard of care does not prevent or control the progression of disease. Our initial therapeutic, OTT166, administered as an eye drop containing a novel integrin-inhibitor, is in clinical development to enable earlier intervention of diabetic retinopathy, a chronic, progressive disease that is one of the leading causes of vision loss globally. Our goal is to bring transformative treatments to clinicians and their patients who are consigned to watch and wait as disease progresses, ultimately requiring medically intensive and invasive therapy. www.ocuterratx.com
