Remembering Ophthalmic Industry Executive George Marcellino
Ophthalmic industry executive George Marcellino, PhD, whose work lead to the development of several new technologies and medical devices, died on February 10, 2021. Most recently, Dr. Marcellino served as vice president of clinical affairs and marketing at Iridex. On its website, Iridex posted the following message in remembrance of Dr. Marcellino.
“It is with a heavy heart that Iridex announces that our beloved vice president of clinical affairs and marketing, George Marcellino, passed away unexpectedly on February 10, 2021.
George Marcellino, PhD, became Iridex’s vice president of clinical affairs and marketing in 2018 after serving on its Board of Directors for three years. Prior to joining Iridex, George co-founded OptiMedica Corporation. There he led the development of PASCAL (pattern scanning laser photocoagulation) for the treatment of retinal disease and also the development of the CATALYS femtosecond laser cataract system subsequently acquired by Abbott Laboratories in 2013. He then held the position of senior vice president of clinical affairs and general manager for Kedalion Therapeutics, a start-up dedicated to the development of semi-automated topical ocular drug delivery as an alternative to standard eye drop delivery. Prior to co-founding OptiMedica, George held several senior management positions at the Medical Group of Coherent, Inc. where he served as director of the global sales and marketing organizations reporting to the division head and led the clinical applications research and market development efforts.
George is widely known in the medical community, having more than 35 years of experience in the medical device industry including high technology devices for sensory and motor impaired persons (Telesensory Systems), critical care monitoring utilizing reflection spectrophotometry imbedded within a pulmonary artery catheter (Oximetrix), KTP laser surgical applications including the development of laser cholecystectomy (Laserscope), and ophthalmic, surgical and dermatologic laser applications (Coherent).
Helped to establish many innovative products
In the field of ophthalmology, he helped establish many innovative products, including the Novus 2000 Photocoagulator, the Laser Indirect Ophthalmoscope System, the Selecta Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty system for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, the OPAL Photoactivator (Photodynamic Therapy) for age-related macular degeneration, Selective Retinal Therapy for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, the CATALYS femtosecond laser for cataract surgery, and Iridex’s revised MicroPulse P3 Delivery Device for the treatment of glaucoma.
Co-authored multiple patents and peer-reviewed studies
George co-authored 31 peer-reviewed articles in ophthalmic journals, two textbook chapters, and was co-inventor on nine patents. He received his BA, MS, and PhD (Sensory Physiology and Psychophysics) degrees, from the City University of New York.”
Donations may be made in George’s memory to Glaucoma Research Foundation at www.glaucoma.org/donate
To read the full message on the Iridex website, including messages and condolences from colleagues, click here.