SpyGlass Pharma, a privately-held ophthalmic biotechnology company, announced today the appointment of Chetan Pujara, Ph.D., as Chief Research & Development Officer. Dr. Pujara will spearhead the late-stage development of the company's proprietary intraocular drug delivery platform as it advances into Phase 3 clinical trials.
With over two decades of leadership experience in pharmaceutical and drug-device combination product development, Dr. Pujara brings extensive expertise across ophthalmic, neurological, dermatological, and infectious disease areas to SpyGlass Pharma.
"Dr. Pujara is a distinguished leader with deep expertise in pharmaceutical innovation and drug development," said Patrick Mooney, SpyGlass Pharma Chief Executive Officer. "He will be an invaluable resource as we continue to advance our proprietary intraocular drug delivery platform into Phase 3 trials. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Pujara to SpyGlass Pharma and look forward to his contributions across our R&D initiatives."
Extensive Industry Experience
Dr. Pujara's pharmaceutical career includes significant contributions to the development of market-leading products that have transformed patient care. His portfolio includes work on Ozurdex®, Durysta™, Latisse®, Qulipta™, Ubrelvy™, and Refresh® eye drops.
Prior to joining SpyGlass, Dr. Pujara held key leadership positions at several major pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Allergan, and AbbVie. Most recently, he served as Chief Development Officer at Osanni. His regulatory expertise encompasses global filings with major agencies including the FDA, EMA, NMPA, and ANVISA.
Beyond his corporate roles, Dr. Pujara currently serves as a member of the United States Pharmacopeia Council of Experts and has previously contributed as a board member for industry-academia consortia, including the National Science Foundation's Center for Pharmaceutical Processing Research. He also holds multiple U.S. and international patents, further demonstrating his innovative contributions to pharmaceutical science.
Advancing Sustained-Release Ophthalmic Therapy
The SpyGlass Drug Delivery Platform represents a significant innovation in ophthalmic care, particularly for glaucoma patients. The technology is designed to deliver bimatoprost over a three-year period to targeted tissues, potentially addressing the significant challenge of medication adherence in glaucoma management.
"I am thrilled to join the exceptional team at SpyGlass Pharma," said Dr. Pujara. "The SpyGlass drug delivery platform technology is poised to substantially improve care for glaucoma patients, with great potential to expand into additional ophthalmic areas. I look forward to contributing to SpyGlass' mission to revolutionize ophthalmic drug delivery with sustained-release therapeutics that address critical unmet needs."
Clinical Development Progress
SpyGlass has already made significant progress in the clinical development of its platform. The company has completed enrollment in a Phase I/II study in the United States investigating the safety and efficacy of its platform in a larger patient pool. Patients from the first-in-human study continue to be followed, with longer-term data expected in the coming months.
The company is now preparing to advance its program into Phase III clinical trials in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the ultimate goal of commercial approval.
Company Background
SpyGlass Pharma was co-founded by Dr. Malik Y. Kahook, M.D. and Glenn Sussman. The company focuses on developing what it describes as the world's first, IOL-mounted, controlled release drug delivery platform capable of delivering multiple years of therapy.
The innovative technology was originally developed in the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center of the University of Colorado School of Medicine and was spun off campus following Series A funding.
This strategic appointment of Dr. Pujara comes at a pivotal time for SpyGlass as it transitions from early clinical development to late-stage trials, positioning the company to potentially transform the standard of care for patients with chronic ophthalmic conditions requiring long-term medication management.
