Opthea (ASX:OPT) has announced executive leadership changes in finance and commercial and senior hires for biometrics, clinical operations and market access.
The clinical-stage company is developing novel therapies to treat highly prevalent and progressive retinal diseases, including wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).
"Opthea is at a key inflection point with the sozinibercept Phase 3 topline data readouts for COAST anticipated in early Q2 calendar year 2025 and ShORe in mid calendar year 2025," said CEO Frederic Guerard.
"We made several senior hires and executive changes to further deepen our team's expertise in retina, expand our clinical capabilities, while advancing Opthea's commercial readiness."
"On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Opthea team, I would like to thank Judy Robertson, Peter Lang and Bruno Gagnon for their leadership and significant contributions in Opthea's journey from a development-stage biopharmaceutical Company to a commercial-ready organization," continued Mr Guerard.
"We wish them continued success in their professional and personal lives."
"I would like to extend a warm welcome to Dan Geffken, Mike Campbell, Dayong Li, Jen Watts, and Anthony Bonifazio to the Opthea team. They are joining our Company at a critical time ahead of the sozinibercept Phase 3 topline data readout and potential product launch," added Mr Guerard. "They will play a key role in realizing our ambitious goal of bringing sozinibercept to wet AMD patients, helping them achieve superior vision for greater independence in their lives."
Daniel Geffken, co-founder and managing director of Danforth Advisors, will assume the role of chief financial officer on an ad interim basis, reporting to Mr Guerard. Mr Geffken is a proven leader of finance organizations in life science companies with over 30 years of experience steering strategy, finance, and operations across all stages of the corporate life cycle.
Mike Campbell has been appointed chief commercial officer, reporting to Mr Guerard. Mr Campbell brings 30 years of biotech and pharmaceutical commercial leadership experience across sales, marketing, market access, patient services, and operations to the company.
Dayong Li has been appointed senior vice president of biometrics, Jen Watts vice president of global clinical operations, and Anthony Bonifazio vice president of market access.
