Vital Tears and Brightstar Therapeutics Form Joint Medical Advisory Board
Vital Tears and Brightstar Therapeutics have announced the formation of a joint Medical Advisory Board, bringing together nine leaders in ophthalmology and optometry to help guide the organizations’ expanding clinical and scientific initiatives.
The advisory board will include six ophthalmologists and three optometrists, who will provide strategic, clinical, and scientific guidance across several key areas, including product development, evidence generation, market access, and clinical adoption. The board will support both companies as they continue to advance a portfolio of innovations focused on ocular surface and corneal care.
The members of the Medical Advisory Board are:
Albert Cheung, MD, Virginia Eye Consultants
Marjan Farid, MD, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California–Irvine
John Gelles, OD, Cornea and Laser Eye Institute and CLEI Center for Keratoconus
Pedram Hamrah, MD, USF Health
Huck Holz, MD, Kaiser Permanente and UCSF
Paul Karpecki, OD, Kentucky Eye Institute
Sumitra Khandelwal, MD, Baylor College of Medicine
Cecelia Koetting, OD, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Barry Lee, MD, Eye Consultants of Atlanta and Piedmont Healthcare
“We are honored to collaborate with such an exceptional group of clinicians whose expertise spans the full spectrum of corneal disease and ocular surface health,” said Rajan Shukla, President of Vital Tears and Founder and CEO of Brightstar Therapeutics. “Their collective experience will be invaluable as we accelerate development and expand access to therapies that advance the standard of care for patients.”
Vital Tears' national service model designed to make autologous serum tears more convenient, accessible, and affordable for patients. Brightstar Therapeutics, meanwhile, has introduced BrightMEM, the first long-term corneal allograft solution designed to support patients with impaired ocular healing.
“As Chief Medical Officer for both organizations, I’m thrilled to tap a deep bench of experts and clinicians who share our commitment to elevating care for patients suffering from ocular surface disease,” said Joseph Tauber, MD. “This advisory board reflects our shared commitment to rigorous clinical science and to empowering eye care providers with innovative, evidence-based tools.”
Originally published online on Eyewire+.