Theresa Heah, M.D., MBA, co-founder, vice-chair, and CEO of Eyexora, speaks with host Carey Powers at this year’s Ophthalmology Innovation Summit about her company’s fresh approach to building an ophthalmology company that centralizes R&D, clinical, regulatory, and commercial expertise into a “one-stop shop.” Heah delves into the advantages of the hub and spoke model and how it will help overcome the gaps in the eye care landscape, as well as their plans to expand to the UK. 

In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about:  

· Eyexora’s mission as a unique hub and spoke company dedicated to accelerating clinical innovation 

·  The barriers in the ophthalmology field and how Eyexora’s approach will help overcome them 

·  The advantages of building relationships on a global scale 

·  Milestones and scientific areas to look out for in 2026 

RESOURCES:  

Carey Powers: https://ois.net/carey-powers/  

Theresa Heah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaheah  

Eyexora: https://eyexora.com/ 

Grace Ambrose-Zaken, Ph.D., president and CEO of Safe Toddles, speaks with host Robert Rothman about her mission to create a safer, easier-to-navigate world for children—perhaps one of the most underserved patients in eye care. Dr. Ambrose-Zaken discusses her breakthrough invention, the Pediatric Belt Cane, and how it transformed early mobility for blind children. 

In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about:  

• Why we need to have empathy and understanding for the visually impaired, especially children 
• The advantages of the belt cane over the white cane 
• The impediments of getting the belt cane to patients 
• How to support the visually impaired and Safe Toddles’ mission 

What are the key qualities to being effective teammates? David Esposito, President and CEO of ONL Therapeutics, and Connie Chang, Chief Operating Officer of ONL Therapeutics, chat with host James Murray on the importance and value of transparency, trustworthiness, vulnerability, and candor amongst leadership to establish a strong company foundation.
In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about:

• Handling the little problems before they become big problems
• The ability to execute big ideas effectively and efficiently
• Building trust between companies, investors, and all other parties
• Navigating the challenges of scaling

At this year’s Retina Innovation Summit, industry experts and leaders gathered in a two-part discussion on investment trends, regulatory environment and FDA changes, emerging therapies in ophthalmology, and more. Panelists include: Laura Feinleib, Managing Director at Redmile Group; Derrick Li, Chief Strategy Officer at ODC Life Sciences; Cameron Taylor, Managing Director at BofA Securities | Life Sciences; Wayne Caulder, Vice President & General Manager of Surgical (U.S. & Canada) at Bausch + Lomb; Paul Hallen, Vice President & Distinguished Fellow at Alcon; Nida Sen, MD, VP, Ophthalmology Strategy & Development Head at Sanofi; and Julian Smith, General Manager Portfolio Commercial Strategy - Eye Care at AbbVie.

In this panel learn about:
🔹Investment trends in public and private markets
🔹Regenerative therapies, such as gene therapy and cell therapy
🔹The impact of patient and therapy adoption challenges—and how to navigate them
🔹Advice for entrepreneurs and start-ups on the best key strategies on driving partnership interest and networking

Join Dr. Robert Rothman as he talks with Rajan Shukla about his journey from a family legacy in ophthalmology to pioneering new treatments for anterior segment diseases. Rajan shares how Vital Tears is making serum tears accessible nationwide and how Bright Star Therapeutics is developing innovative therapies like BrightMEM™ to transform ocular surface care.
In this episode, learn about:

• The story behind Vital Tears and Bright Star Therapeutics
• BrightMEM™ and its impact on treating limbal stem cell deficiency
• The future of ocular surface and retinal therapies

Hear how innovation is shaping the future of eye care.

This week on The Rob & Jai Show, an edition of the OIS Podcast, Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh welcome Tomas Navratil, PhD, Chief Development Officer at Glaukos, to discuss the company’s remarkable transformation from MIGS pioneer to a diversified global leader in ophthalmology. Glaukos is advancing a robust pipeline that spans devices, pharmaceuticals, and drug-device combinations—reshaping the future of eye care.

Highlights from the episode include:

• How Glaukos tripled its R&D pipeline over the past decade
• A shift from 100% device focus to 70% pharma or drug-device innovation
• Next-gen iDose TR with double the payload heading into clinical development
• Positive Phase 3 results for Epioxa, a non-surgical therapy for keratoconus

Tune in now to hear how Glaukos is stepping into its next chapter as a true ophthalmic powerhouse.

This week on The Rob & Jai Show, an edition of the OIS Podcast, Rob Rothman and Jai Parekh welcome Shawn O'Neil, President and Chief Commercial Officer of ViaLase, to discuss a cutting-edge advancement in glaucoma treatment. Velas is pioneering the FLIGHT procedure—Femtosecond Laser Image-Guided High-Precision Trabeculotomy—a non-invasive, incision-free alternative to traditional surgery. Highlights from the episode include:

• How ViaLase combines femtosecond laser precision with advanced OCT imaging
• The benefits of a non-surgical, office-based glaucoma treatment
• ViaLase’s newly secured CPT code (0730T) and reimbursement strategy
• Regulatory milestones, including CE Mark approval and upcoming U.S. trials
• The long-term potential of FLIGHT to serve patients across the glaucoma journey

Tune in to learn how this technology could redefine glaucoma care for both physicians and patients.

This week on The Rob & Jai Show, an edition of the OIS Podcast, Perry Sternberg, CEO of Sydnexis, discusses the company's efforts to bring its innovative SYD-101 product to market, which aims to slow the progression of pediatric myopia.

• Challenges in Market Access: Sternberg emphasizes the challenges of market access and reimbursement, explaining that it's not just about the product’s price but also the value proposition it offers.
• Launch Plans for 2026: The company is planning for a 2026 launch, following FDA approval, with a strong focus on ensuring a positive experience for both physicians and patients.
• Global Significance of SYD-101: He highlights the global significance of SYD-101, particularly in regions with high rates of myopia like Asia, where the need for effective solutions is critical.
• Personal Mission: Reflecting on his personal mission, Sternberg expresses his desire to make a meaningful impact on children’s vision and future health.
  The hosts applaud his leadership and the potential of this product to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients affected by progressive myopia.
  
  To learn more about SYD-101 and the exciting developments in pediatric myopia treatment, be sure to listen to the full podcast episode!

In this edition of The Rob & Jai Show, the OIS Podcast welcomes Adam Szaronos, CEO of IanTrek, for a wide-ranging conversation on innovation, leadership, and unlocking new pathways in glaucoma care. Adam walks us through his career journey from Alcon to TearLab to leading IanTrek, where he’s now championing a new class of glaucoma procedures with AloeFlow™—a minimally invasive, tissue-based implant that activates the uveoscleral pathway.

Together with hosts Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh, Adam discusses:

• The evolution of his career from medical device sales to surgical commercialization and C-suite leadership.
• Why the uveoscleral pathway, long leveraged in pharmacology, has remained unaddressed in surgical glaucoma—and how IanTrek is changing that.
• The material science breakthrough that differentiates AloeFlow™ from past uveoscleral attempts like CyPass.
• The market opportunity for post-MiGs patients and how IanTrek’s platform opens new treatment options without burning surgical real estate.
• Insights into IanTrek’s growing bio-interventional pipeline and what’s ahead in 2025 and beyond.

Whether you’re a glaucoma surgeon, an investor, or a medtech strategist, this episode is a must-listen on where glaucoma innovation is headed.

Subscribe to the OIS Podcast today and stay connected to the future of ophthalmology.

In this edition of The Rob & Jai Show, Paul Smith, President & COO of Orasis Pharmaceuticals, joins Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh for a compelling conversation on his career path and the commercialization of Qlosi™—a novel, FDA-approved, low-dose pilocarpine eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia.

With more than two decades of experience across Alcon, Novartis, and now Orasis, Smith reflects on his unique career trajectory from tech startups to ophthalmic leadership, the importance of cross-functional experience, and how a shared vision with founder & CEO Elad Kedar led him to the helm of a company now reshaping the presbyopia landscape.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Qlosi™ was formulated at the lowest approved concentration of pilocarpine to prioritize safety, tolerability, and functional vision.
• How Orasis is differentiating its launch by learning from past category efforts and focusing on real-world expectations and patient needs.
• The company’s go-to-market strategy, including a hybrid access model and the role of optometry in driving adoption.
• Why Paul believes innovation in eye care thrives on collaboration, humility, and continuous learning.
• What makes presbyopia such a powerful entry point into the broader continuum of vision care.

With a clear mission, strong leadership, and a product designed with patients in mind, Orasis is setting a new standard in treating one of the most common unmet needs in eye care.

Don’t miss this thoughtful and inspiring discussion—subscribe to the OIS Podcast today to stay ahead of what’s next in ophthalmic innovation!

In this edition of the OIS Podcast, a powerhouse panel of investment, banking, and biotech leaders offers unfiltered insights on the current and future state of the ophthalmic industry. Featuring Andrew Gitkin (Leerink Partners), Cameron Taylor (Bank of America), Susan Orr, PhD (Claris Bio), and Anupam Dalal, MD (Acuta Capital), and Dr. Pravin Dugel, Chairman and CEO of Ocular Therapeutix, this session explores how macroeconomic and political shifts—such as RFK Jr.'s FDA rhetoric and rising interest rates—are influencing capital markets, regulatory confidence, and biotech strategy.
 
With humor, candor, and deep expertise, the panel discusses:
 
🔹The real impact of market volatility and regulatory speculation on investment in early-stage biotech.
🔹Why high-quality innovation still commands attention, even in uncertain times.
🔹How strategic interest in ophthalmology is evolving, and why later-stage assets may be getting more attention.
🔹Why board functionality may be the most underappreciated variable in getting a deal done.
🔹Trends in wet AMD, GA, and the wide-open opportunities in dry AMD and geographic atrophy.

If you’re a startup navigating today’s market, an investor looking for the next big breakthrough, or a strategist planning your pipeline, this is one episode you can’t afford to miss.
 
Don’t miss this compelling conversation. Subscribe to the OIS Podcast today and stay connected to the future of ophthalmology.