OIS Podcast | Ophthalmology's leading Podcast

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.

In this episode of The Rob & Jai Show, Michael O’Rourke, CEO of Re-Vana Therapeutics, joins Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh to explore the next-generation of sustained drug delivery in ophthalmology. With millions of intravitreal injections administered annually for retinal diseases like AMD, the need for longer-lasting, more effective treatments has never been greater.

O’Rourke explains how Re-Vana’s proprietary hydrogel-based technologies are setting a new standard for biodegradable, sustained-release drug implants—offering six to twelve months of therapeutic coverage without the need for surgery. The discussion covers:

🔹How Re-Vana’s EyeLief™ and OcuLief™ technologies work to deliver biologics efficiently over extended periods.
🔹Why reducing injection frequency is critical for patient compliance, physician workflow, and overall treatment success.
🔹 The company’s clinical and investment strategy, including a $70M Series B raise to advance its lead asset, a six-month biodegradable fluocinolone acetonide implant.
🔹 The role of strategic partnerships in accelerating innovation, as major pharma companies seek delivery solutions for their retinal therapeutics.
🔹 The global impact of sustained-release biologics, and how Re-Vana is positioning itself as a leader in both the U.S. and European markets.

With a team of seasoned industry experts, strong investor backing, and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Re-Vana Therapeutics is redefining how we approach retinal disease treatment.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation—subscribe to the OIS podcast today and stay ahead of the curve in ophthalmic innovation!

In this episode of The Rob & Jai Show, Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh host a captivating conversation with Andrew Stewart and Anthony Wallace—two leaders who are among the most experienced and admired executives in ophthalmology. Andrew Stewart, with over 25 years of pharmaceutical leadership across Bausch + Lomb, AbbVie, and Allergan, shares how his global business acumen shapes innovation in eye care. Anthony Wallace, a 26-year healthcare veteran with leadership roles at Novartis, Merck, and GlaxoSmithKline, reflects on leading Bausch + Lomb’s U.S. Surgical business and his passion for patient-centered solutions. Both leaders bring a wealth of knowledge, relatable stories, and a shared commitment to advancing ophthalmic care.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
🔹How Andrew Stewart and Anthony Wallace’s extensive pharmaceutical backgrounds influence their leadership in ophthalmology.
🔹Key trends shaping the future of pharmaceutical and surgical innovations in eye care.
🔹Insights into fostering strong organizational cultures that prioritize patient outcomes.
🔹Strategies for navigating the complexities of global ophthalmology markets.
🔹Personal reflections on leadership, mentorship, and maintaining passion for patient impact.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation with two leaders whose expertise, warmth, and dedication continue to shape the future of ophthalmology. Subscribe to the OIS podcast today and stay ahead of the curve in eye care innovation!

In this OIS Podcast episode, host Dr. Robert Rothman sits down with Daphne Haim-Langford, PhD, Founder & CEO of Tarsier Pharma, and Ashley Kline, Chief Commercial Officer, to discuss their groundbreaking approach to uveitis treatment.

Tarsier’s lead candidate, TRS01, is a first-in-class bio-inspired therapy designed to control inflammation without raising intraocular pressure, a major complication of steroid treatments. With a unique mechanism of action that modulates macrophages and reduces inflammation, this novel drug has the potential to redefine uveitis and glaucoma care.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🔹 How Tarsier’s bio-inspired molecule is changing the game in ophthalmology.

🔹 Why steroids, despite being the standard of care, can be problematic for uveitis patients.

🔹 The challenges of scaling manufacturing and securing regulatory approval for novel ophthalmic treatments.

🔹 Insights from Ashley Kline on the commercial strategy for launching Tarsier’s therapy.

🔹 How Dr. Rothman sees this innovation reshaping ophthalmology and glaucoma treatment.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Tarsier Pharma is working to bring a safer, more effective treatment to market! Subscribe to the OIS Podcast today!