Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Appoints John Pollack, MD, as Chief Medical Officer

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals announced that John Pollack, MD, has been appointed to the position of Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Pollack’s responsibilities will include the execution of clinical studies, patient safety, and the management of Medical Affairs; supporting the required regulatory submissions; and supporting the company’s development and commercial objectives.

Dr. Pollack is an internationally recognized retinal clinical surgeon and educator and brings over 28 years of clinical ophthalmology experience to Neurotech. Dr. Pollack practices at Illinois Retina Associates and is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Pollack is also a board member and past president of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS).

“We are delighted to welcome John to Neurotech. John’s position and reputation in the retinal community is exceptional and he is the ideal leader to serve as Chief Medical Officer and guide our clinical programs forward to success,” Jim Mazzo, Neurotech’s Executive Chairman, said in a company news release.

Dr. Pollack has extensive clinical trial experience serving as a study chairman or principal investigator in numerous studies. He has also been an advisor to many of the leading ophthalmology companies. “His considerable clinical and surgical retina experience will be invaluable to us as we take our unique treatment for Macular Telangiectasia (MacTel) through the final stage of clinical development and prepare for commercial approval,” said Rich Small, Neurotech’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Neurotech has developed a very interesting, novel drug delivery platform that has shown encouraging results in its phase 2 MacTel trial. I am excited to join the Neurotech team in its mission to complete development of the first therapy for MacTel, a progressive retinal disease that has lacked a treatment option for far too long” said Dr. Pollack.

Macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) is a disease of the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. MacTel affects a well-defined area of the retina, which is referred to as the “MacTel” zone. MacTel typically effects both eyes and leads to a gradual deterioration of central vision, which becomes noticeable to people around 50-60 years of age.