EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/194331
EW AAO PREVIEW Attendees can expect to hear from emerging ophthalmic drug and device companies, from physician innovators, and from investors interested in the space, he said. "Our goal each year is to keep the meeting new and fresh," Dr. Cunningham said. "This includes showcasing new companies and/or new data and trying to have panels that address the most important, topical, and timely issues." Dr. Cunningham said there will not be any major changes from the format of past meetings. He will start the meeting with the "Year in Review" talk, which is an annual occurrence. This year he will highlight what has been happening with the FDA, including new drug and device approvals. He will also talk about the finance environment and major trends from the past year. In addition, there will be pharma and device showcase panels, like in past years. These short, rapidfire presentations highlight new information and data from a number of companies. Dr. Kliman will moderate OIS' unique Mobile Ophthalmic Technology session, showing many new companies with mobile diagnostics. Dr. Cunningham said Dr. Link will present on investing in Europe vs. U.S.-based companies. Bank representatives will give market updates. During lunch there will be a plenary presentation from David Pyott, CEO of Allergan, on challenges to innovation in ophthalmology and how Allergan plans to meet those challenges. Panels on alternate financing strategies for private companies, European commercialization strategies, when and why to go public, and physician entrepreneurs in ophthalmology will wrap up the afternoon portion of OIS. The summit also hopes to incorporate an FDA panel, as it has been a popular topic at past events. "Our meeting continues to be very well received, but we are always working to make it better," Dr. Kliman said. The hope is that the meeting can continue to incorporate companies that are new and presenting at OIS for the first time. OIS will aim for lively discussions, engaging speakers, and some audience participation. "OIS at AAO covers the whole ophthalmic landscape from cornea to glaucoma to retina, and includes drugs, devices, diagnostics, and the emerging category of ophthalmic IT," Dr. Kliman said. EW Contact information Cunningham: ecunningham@clarusventures.com Visit us at AAO Booth 1052 47