The inherited retinal disease (IRD) community is always looking for advancements and leadership that can accelerate the development of new treatments. In a move that signals a strengthened focus on ophthalmology, AGTC (Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation) announced on August 18, 2021, the appointment of Yehia Hashad, MD, to its Board of Directors, according to citybiz. This addition brings significant expertise in retinal disease research and development to a company actively working on gene therapies for various IRDs.
A New Vision for AGTC's Leadership
Dr. Hashad's appointment to AGTC's Board of Directors is a notable development for the biotech firm. AGTC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that utilizes its gene therapy platform to develop products for severe diseases, with an initial emphasis on ophthalmology. The company's lead product candidates are designed to treat inherited orphan eye diseases caused by single gene mutations that significantly impact visual function and currently lack effective medical treatments. These include conditions like X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), achromatopsia (ACHM), and X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).
Dr. Hashad is an ophthalmologist and retinal specialist with over 25 years of leadership experience in global research and development roles within ophthalmology. His background includes serving as Executive Vice President of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer at Bausch + Lomb. Prior to that, he held senior R&D positions at Allergan/AbbVie, where he led Allergan's global clinical development program for its eye care portfolio, among other responsibilities. He also spent five years with Novartis Pharma AG, focusing on ophthalmology, including treatments for age-related macular degeneration.
What This Means for Patients and Families
The addition of Dr. Hashad to AGTC's board is particularly significant for individuals and families affected by inherited retinal diseases. His extensive experience in the development of ophthalmic treatments and his deep understanding of retinal conditions could help guide AGTC's strategic decisions and accelerate the progress of their gene therapy programs. AGTC has been actively involved in clinical trials for IRDs, including reporting 12-month data for its Phase 1/2 clinical trials for achromatopsia (CNGB3 and CNGA3 mutations) in June 2021. The company has also been focusing on X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), specifically RPGR-associated disease, which is a common cause of IRDs.
Having a retinal specialist with Dr. Hashad's caliber on the board can provide invaluable insights into patient needs, clinical trial design, and regulatory pathways, potentially leading to more efficient development of therapies. His expertise aligns directly with AGTC's mission to develop gene therapies for rare eye diseases, offering hope for future treatment options for the IRD community.
Looking Ahead
With Dr. Hashad's appointment, AGTC is poised to further strengthen its leadership in the gene therapy space for inherited retinal diseases. His proven track record in ophthalmic research and development is expected to contribute to the company's ongoing efforts to bring innovative treatments closer to patients. The community will be watching closely as AGTC continues its work in this critical area.