HERZLIYA, Israel, Nov. 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orasis Pharmaceuticals LTD., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing a corrective eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia as an alternative to reading glasses, today announced the appointment of Richard L. Lindstrom, M.D., Eric D. Donnenfeld, M.D., and John Berdahl, M.D. to its scientific advisory board. Dr. Lindstrom, Dr. Donnenfeld, and Dr. Berdahl have joined existing scientific advisory board members Sheri Rowen, M.D. and Michael Korenfeld, M.D. The scientific advisory board of Orasis now consists of five board-certified ophthalmologists and key opinion leaders in the ophthalmology field.
“We are honored to have three leading experts in ophthalmology join the Orasis scientific advisory board,” said Elad Kedar, chief executive officer of Orasis. “Dr. Lindstrom, Dr. Donnenfeld, and Dr. Berdahl bring comprehensive experience and expertise in ophthalmology research and clinical studies, as well as developing innovative solutions in the biopharma industry. Together with our existing scientific advisory board members, Dr. Sheri Rowen and Dr. Michael Korenfeld, the guidance of this team will serve to accelerate the clinical development and ensure the potential success of CSF-1, a corrective eye drop to improve quality of life for individuals with presbyopia by providing an alternative to reading glasses.”
Dr. Lindstrom is a board-certified ophthalmologist and internationally recognized leader in ophthalmology. He is founder and attending surgeon at Minnesota Eye Consultants, adjunct professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota department of ophthalmology, a trustee of the University of Minnesota Foundation, visiting professor at University of California Irvine, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and global chief medical editor of Ocular Surgery News. He holds over 40 patents for ophthalmology innovations. Dr. Lindstrom completed his medical degree and residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School followed by two years of fellowship training in cornea, external disease, cataract surgery, refractive surgery and glaucoma.
Dr. Donnenfeld is a trustee of the Dartmouth Medical School, a clinical professor of ophthalmology at New York University, a national medical director of TLC laser centers, surgical director of the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island, and editor-in-chief of EyeWorld. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and has received its various awards including the Life Time Achievement Award. He has been involved in over 60 FDA monitored clinical studies. Dr. Donnenfeld previously served as president of ASCRS and many other professional societies. He was a chief resident at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and received his medical degree from the Dartmouth Medical School.
Dr. Berdahl is a board-certified ophthalmologist and is widely regarded as one of the leading international cataract surgeons, having performed more than 25,000 eye surgeries around the globe. He has been involved in numerous FDA monitored clinical trials. He has developed some of the most exciting technologies in ophthalmology such as the first non-surgical, non-pharmacologic solution to lower eye pressure for glaucoma treatment. Dr. Berdahl founded Equinox, astigmatismfix.com, and co-founded ExpertOpinion.MD. He completed his fellowship at Minnesota Eye Consultants, his residency at Duke University, and an internship at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Berdahl received his medical degree from the Mayo Medical School.
About Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the inability to focus on near objects. It commonly occurs after the age of 40 and affects more than 1.8 billion people worldwide. People with presbyopia experience blurred vision when performing daily tasks that require near visual acuity, such as reading a book, a restaurant menu or messages on a smartphone. Presbyopia occurs as a result of the natural aging process when the crystalline lens of the eye gradually stiffens and loses flexibility. Presbyopia cannot be prevented or reversed, and it continues to progress gradually. All existing treatment options are either cumbersome or invasive, presenting a significant unmet need for quality of life improvement for people with presbyopia.
About Orasis Pharmaceuticals
Orasis Pharmaceuticals is developing CSF-1, a corrective eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia as an alternative to reading glasses. By repurposing existing and well-studied molecules, CSF-1 is designed to be effective, safe, comfortable, and easy-to-use. Orasis is led by a collaborative team of industry executives and ophthalmologists with a diverse set of experiences in research, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical drugs, as well as finance and business development. Orasis is funded by a diverse group of sophisticated and experienced life science and healthcare investors including the ophthalmology focused venture capital fund Visionary Ventures, Sequoia Capital, SBI (Japan) Innovation Fund, LifeSci Venture Partners, Maverick Ventures Israel, and other private investors. Orasis is based in Herzliya, Israel. For more information, visit www.orasis-pharma.com.
Corporate Contact
Elad Kedar, CEO
+972-9-8877745
Info@orasis-pharma.com
Media Contact
Alison Chen
+1 646-876-4932
achen@lifescipublicrelations.com