Opthea Names Quinton Oswald and Susan Orr, OD, to its Board of Directors
Opthea announced the appointment of Quinton Oswald and Susan Orr, OD, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately following election at a General Meeting of Shareholders on April 21st, 2022. Mr. Oswald and Dr. Orr have deep experience leading biotech companies and launching commercial products for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and other ophthalmic diseases.
“We welcome Quinton and Susan to our Board of Directors. Their addition to the board contributes greatly to the strength of the company. Their experience in commercialization of ophthalmology products globally in both large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies makes them ideally suited to enhance Opthea’s capabilities,” said Jeremy Levin, D.Phil, MB BChir, Chairman of Opthea. “Our pivotal phase 3 trials of OPT-302 in wet AMD are actively recruiting patients around the world with top line results expected in 2024. If successful and approved, OPT-302 will be a unique product to treat patients with wet AMD around the world, addressing a substantial global need. We are preparing for that potential event. Quinton has a broad global perspective, having previously worked in the US, Europe and South Africa, while Susan contributes deep experience bringing ophthalmic product candidates to market.”
“AMD is a debilitating disease that affects central vision, and wet AMD poses particular treatment challenges that have not yet been overcome,” said Mr. Oswald. “I believe in the work that Opthea is doing to advance patient outcomes and I’m excited to be a part of a company with the potential to fundamentally improve standard of care treatment in this arena, around the world.”
Dr. Susan Orr commented. “I am excited to join the Board at this pivotal moment in Opthea’s history. OPT-302 is a unique molecule with a novel mechanism of action. New approaches are urgently needed for patients, and I am thrilled to be a part of the journey to advance this potential therapy to the market. The program has shown great promise to date and if the Phase 3 is successful and the product approved, OPT-302 holds the potential to sufficiently improve patient care in wet age-related macular degeneration.”
Mr. Oswald brings over 25 years of international general management experience, including onsite assignments in the U.S., Europe and South Africa. Most recently, he was the CEO of Notal Vision, a commercial stage ophthalmic home monitoring services provider with a focus on both wet and dry AMD. Prior to Notal Vision, he served as the CEO of Neurotech and, prior to that, as the CEO of SARcode Bioscience, where he was instrumental in the clinical development of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% (Xiidra) for the treatment of dry eye disease, and its subsequent sale to Shire, PLC. Previously, he was Vice President and Business Unit Head for Genentech’s tissue growth and repair business. During his tenure at Genentech, Mr. Oswald oversaw the highly successful commercial launch of Lucentis (ranibizumab) for the treatment of wet AMD. Before Genentech, Mr. Oswald led the North American Ophthalmology business for Novartis, which, in conjunction with QLT, Inc., pioneered Visudyne.
Dr. Orr is an experienced medical and business leader with specialization in identifying, developing, and commercializing ophthalmic therapeutic product candidates. Dr. Orr currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Claris Biotherapeutics and is a member of the Retina Global Board of Directors. Before Claris, Dr. Orr was the Chief Executive Officer at Notal Vision subsequent to joining the company as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Orr has spent more than 30 years in the field of ophthalmology that also includes ten years in private optometric practice and leadership roles at Alcon and Janssen spanning international development, global new product strategy, and business development and licensing. Dr. Orr participated in multiple acquisitions including Durezolâ and Beovuâ (brolucizumab) and has been a Managing Partner at Fovendeye Consulting since 2016.