MALVERN, PA — Ocugen, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCGN) has expanded its Retina Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and executive leadership team as the company accelerates toward filing three Biologics License Applications (BLAs) within the next three years. The updates are part of a broader push to enhance clinical execution and position the firm for commercial readiness.
Chairman and CEO Dr. Shankar Musunuri said the moves reflect the company’s commitment to both scientific excellence and operational strength. “As our novel modifier gene therapy programs continue to progress and demonstrate positive data in the clinic, it is now more important than ever to solidify an optimized Retina SAB reflecting the absolute best guidance in this space,” he stated.
Three Key Additions to Retina SAB
Ocugen has brought on three high-profile retinal specialists to its SAB:
- Dr. Jeffrey Heier, Director of Retina Research at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, is recognized as one of the nation’s top clinical researchers in retinal disease. He has led trials across a range of conditions including macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
- Dr. Peter Kaiser, Professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve and Director of the Center for Ocular Research and Evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic, brings deep experience in clinical trial design and publishing. He has authored over 400 peer-reviewed articles and multiple textbooks.
- Dr. Arshad Khanani, Clinical Professor at the University of Nevada and Managing Partner at Sierra Eye Associates, is known for his work in expanding access to retinal trials and was recently named among the top 10 global retina researchers by The Ophthalmologist.
These physicians join existing SAB members, including SAB Chair Dr. Lejla Vajzovic of Duke University and noted experts Dr. David Boyer and Dr. Carl Regillo.
Key Hires Bolster Clinical and Commercial Capabilities
On the internal leadership front, Dr. Vijay Tammara has been named Chief Development Officer. He brings over three decades of regulatory and development experience and has played roles in securing multiple FDA and international product approvals. His background includes positions at Sanofi, Wyeth/Pfizer, Merck, and the FDA, as well as experience running his own regulatory consultancy.
Abhi Gupta, a 20-year veteran of the biopharma industry, steps in as Executive Vice President of Commercial and Business Development, succeeding Mike Shine. Gupta previously led gene therapy commercialization strategy at Pfizer and held senior roles at Regeneron, Johnson & Johnson, and Syneos Health. He is expected to play a central role in Ocugen’s business development and product launch planning.
Strategic Positioning for Growth
The leadership overhaul comes as Ocugen continues clinical development in its gene therapy pipeline and targets regulatory filings for its programs in retinal diseases. The company’s modifier gene therapy platform has shown encouraging clinical data to date, and the new additions are intended to sharpen both scientific input and operational readiness.
With new scientific voices at the table and commercial talent in place, Ocugen is positioning itself to compete aggressively in the high-stakes gene therapy space—particularly in ophthalmology, where unmet need remains significant. The company’s goal of securing three BLAs within the next three years signals confidence in both its pipeline and its ability to deliver.
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