Opthea (OPT) Announces Management Changes

Opthea Limited (NASDAQ: OPT) today announced the appointment of Julie Clark, MD, MS, as Senior Vice President (SVP), Clinical Development, and Fang Li, Ph.D. RAC, as SVP, Regulatory Affairs, effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Clark and Dr. Li will report to Opthea Chief Executive Officer, Frederic Guerard, PharmD, MS, and will join the Opthea Executive Management Team.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome two ophthalmology experts, Dr. Clark and Dr. Li, to the Company as we prepare for the next stage in our growth and work towards advancing the development of sozinibercept (OPT-302),” said Dr. Guerard. “Their past contributions to the development and registration of ophthalmology therapies such as IZERVAY™, BEOVU®, and EYLEA®, will be instrumental to the potential success of our lead program investigating sozinibercept, currently in two Phase 3 pivotal trials.”

Dr. Clark shared, “I am thrilled to join Opthea as we prepare to complete patient enrollment in the pivotal Phase 3 clinical program for sozinibercept in the first half of 2024. The majority of my career has been dedicated to the clinical development of novel therapies for retinal diseases. Sozinibercept could be the first new drug for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in more than 15 years, with the potential to deliver superior visual gains when administered in combination with standard of care therapy. I look forward to contributing to bringing this novel product candidate to patients with serious retinal disease.”

Dr. Li commented, “As we work towards the potential release of topline results for our Phase 3 program in mid-2025, I am excited to apply my expertise to support the development and execution of our regulatory strategy and potential filings for sozinibercept in the U.S. and other markets. I look forward to the opportunity to bring Opthea’s innovative potential medicine through the regulatory process for the benefit of patients with retinal diseases.”

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