Key clinical, industry, financial, and regulatory leaders focused on glaucoma innovations will gather at the 4th Annual Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum in San Francisco on February 6, 2015. Hosted by Glaucoma Research Foundation, this event promises to be a collaborative exchange on important advances in glaucoma. The goal of the meeting is to speed the translation of new ideas into clinical use to benefit patients.
Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum was established by Adrienne Graves, PhD, a member of the Glaucoma Research Foundation board, and Andrew G. Iwach, MD, director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco and chairman of the Foundation's board.
“A scientist might have a great concept but be unclear on the next steps,” said Dr. Graves. “An early-stage company may need financing to proceed with clinical trials, and venture capitalists and industry executives are looking for the next opportunity. Our idea was to get everyone together to stimulate and facilitate key discussions and connections. It's a way for the Glaucoma Research Foundation to serve as a catalyst in the development of new glaucoma therapies.”
“From a physician standpoint, we need better solutions to help patients,” Dr. Iwach added. “This meeting fosters collaboration and partnership, and our goal is that it will accelerate the process to develop new treatments and potentially a cure.”
Paul P. Lee, MD, JD, is the F. Bruce Fralick professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Dr. Lee will deliver the Drs. Henry and Frederick Sutro Memorial Lecture to kick-start a full day of presentations and industry panel discussions featuring innovations in glaucoma drug delivery, pharmaceuticals, and devices as well as sessions focusing on working with the FDA and securing venture capital funding.
Comoderator of the New Horizons in Glaucoma Devices session and Glaucoma 360 Program Committee Member Steven Vold, MD, noted the importance of having a venture capital presence. “This is a unique meeting,” he said. “It brings innovative doctors. It brings industry executives and the venture firms that can actually make things happen. You might have a great idea, but if you can't bring it to market or get to the right person, it just remains an idea.”
Eydie Miller-Ellis, MD, who also serves on the Forum's Program Committee, will comoderate the New Horizons in Glaucoma Pharmaceuticals session. Dr. Miller-Ellis added, “This meeting is different because of its emphasis on innovation and the challenges that these innovators and entrepreneurs have to endure in order to get new projects and products to market. It makes me hopeful about the future of glaucoma care for my patients.”
The Forum is the centerpiece of Glaucoma 360, Glaucoma Research Foundation's signature 3-day event, which includes the Annual Gala on February 5th to benefit the Foundation's research and patient education programs. Dr. Graves will be honored at the Gala for her outstanding leadership and many accomplishments in ophthalmology. Glaucoma 360 closes on February 7th with the Annual Glaucoma Symposium CME, which highlights the latest advances in glaucoma management, medication, and surgical technique for practicing clinicians.
To learn more and register, visit www.glaucoma360.org.
