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Speaker: Ophthalmology entering next golden age of innovation

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LAS VEGAS — Ophthalmology’s next golden age of innovation is comprised of three factors: the market for eye care, the ophthalmology ecosystem and where ophthalmology is from a scientific standpoint, according to Brent Saunders, president and CEO of Allergan.

“There have been many golden ages of innovation in ophthalmology. When I started to look at the factors that led to a golden age of innovation, it occurred to me that we are on the cusp of entering a new or next golden age of innovation in eye care,” Saunders said during the keynote lecture at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit here.

Brent Saunders

Eye disease remains a significant and growing problem. In the U.S., 3 million patients suffer from glaucoma, 21 million patients suffer from retinal disease and 30 million patients suffer from dry eye disease, Saunders said.

“The proliferation of patients and the diseases are massive. And as you know there are many more diseases in ophthalmology, and there are many more countries than the U.S., but I think you get a sense that we are talking about millions and millions of people in this country afflicted with these diseases that are severe and that could lead to blindness and a change in quality of life,” Saunders said.

Ophthalmology operates in a “vibrant ecosystem,” where companies, key opinion leaders, doctors, scientists and venture companies work together to bring great ideas to life, Saunders said.

“We are going into a period where the growth rate of venture companies has been exponential. That means a lot of great ideas are going to have an opportunity to become companies and to become real treatments and real products — real opportunities for physicians and ultimately patients. And that is really exciting,” Saunders said. — by Nhu Te

Disclosure: Saunders reports that he is the president and CEO of Allergan.

Reference:

Saunders B. Plenary keynote. Presented at: Ophthalmology Innovation Summit. Nov. 12, 2015; Las Vegas.