Eyestem, a Bengaluru-based company specializing in Ophthalmology Cell Therapy, has announced the appointment of Ravi Achar as Head of North America Strategy. The company has also engaged the services of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth as its US law firm.
With extensive experience in establishing fundraising and partnership strategies for biotech companies in the US startup ecosystem, Mr Achar is well-suited to his new role. Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, founded in 1975, is a top business law firm in Newport Beach, California, providing services to a wide range of sectors including Healthcare and Biotech. The firm has an impressive track record of seed, venture capital financing, M&A and IPOs in the industry.
Dr Jogin Desai, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Eyestem, said, “As we get closer to getting human data for Eyecyte-RPE, our lead product, we have been laying the groundwork for Eyestem’s global expansion through partnerships and strategic alliances. Mr Achar has a distinguished track record executing global alliances and we are delighted to have him on board as an experienced industry veteran.
The appointment of Stradling, a top law firm in the US biotech ecosystem, demonstrates our belief in the ability of our science to deliver superior patient outcomes at a global level.”
Eyecyte-RPE is a proprietary product of the company designed to address Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD), a debilitating eye condition. The product is designed to replace damaged retinal pigment epithelium cells, restoring vision for patients in the early stages of macular degeneration, and preventing vision loss for those in later stages. Eyecyte-RPE is an allogenic product that is administered through a proprietary surgical procedure. It is patented internationally, and the company is in discussions with CDSCO and the US FDA to begin clinical trials in the near future.
Ravi Achar, Head – North America Strategy, Eyestem, said, “I am excited to join the Eyestem team and look forward to assisting in crafting a global strategy for the firm. Cell therapy has the ability to provide treatments for many currently incurable diseases in the coming years and I am privileged to be working with Eyestem to deliver on that promise.”
Commenting on the engagement, Brent Reinke, Partner, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth said, “We are excited to represent Eyestem and fully back their mission of creating Cell Therapy based products at scale which can address global markets and improve patient lives around the world.”
