PK-EYE OVERVIEW
PK-EYE OVERVIEW
team
SCIENCE
TEAM
Sahar Awwad
SAHAR AWWAD
Sahar has worked on various research projects that have resulted in the development of a novel in vitro model of the eye (the PK-Eye) along with various strategies for extending the duration of action of therapeutic proteins in the vitreous.
SAHAR AWWAD
Sahar’s research background includes the delivery and development of biologics and small molecular weight drugs with particular knowledge in the overcoming the challenges in ocular drug delivery, in particular the vitreous and posterior segment of the eye. Sahar received her PhD in UCL, School of Pharmacy and UCL, Institute of Ophthalmology; and is currently a Research Associate in UCL.
CSO & Co - Founder
STEVE BROCCHINI
Experience in industry includes Raychem Corp. (Menlo Park, California, 1985) and Xenova Limited (Slough, UK, 1991-1994). Steve was a co-founder of the biopharmaceutical company PolyTherics (now Abzena).
STEVE BROCCHINI
Steve is a chemist (BA, Reed College 1984; PhD, University of Michigan, 1989) and is current Professor in Chemical Pharmaceutics. He has been at the UCL School of Pharmacy in London since 1997. Steve is also a member of the Biomedical Research Centre in Ophthalmology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Scientific Board Member & Co-founder
Steve Brocchini
Peng tee Khaw
- Proposed the 10-10-10 challenge for glaucoma around the world: an intraocular pressure of 10 mmHg for 10 years done in 10 minutes.
- Published the ‘energy’ theory of glaucomatous axonopathy, moving towards stem cell regenerative therapies for the optic nerve.
- Helped to raise over £120 million for clinical and research facilities, including the children’s eye hospital and the clinical research centre at Moorfields.
- The first British President of ARVO and with his group has won some 25 awards. In 2013, he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Ophthalmology.
PENG TEE KHAW
Sir Peng’s research interests are in developing new therapies, particularly for preventing scarring and regeneration, with a special interest in paediatric and young adult glaucoma. He has developed surgical techniques including the Moorfields Safer Surgery System, which have markedly improved the safety and outcomes of antimetabolite-assisted trabeculectomy in many parts of the world. He has also developed anti-scarring regimens, which have led to international clinical trials, and are now in routine use.
Co - founder
YANN BOUREMEL
He received his PhD in Fluid Mechanics in 2010 from King’s College London. He holds an MSc in Engineering (Diplome d'Ingénieur) from ENSTA ParisTech, an MSc in Fluid Mechanics from Paris VI, as well as Masters (Magistère) and BSc degrees in Physics from Paris VII.
YANN BOUREMEL
Yann is a biomedical engineer with strong interest in applied engineering to solve biomedical problems. He has experience in designing long term intraocular medical implants and in developing models to study physiological processes. He also has an extensive background in microfluidics, bench testing, instrument control, image visualisation techniques, data processing, modelling and rapid prototyping.
Fluid Engineer Consultant
SCIENCE
TEAM
Sahar Awwad
SAHAR AWWAD
Sahar has worked on various research projects that have resulted in the development of a novel in vitro model of the eye (the PK-Eye) along with various strategies for extending the duration of action of therapeutic proteins in the front and back of the eye. Sahar helps faciltate new technology and innovation focus leading to further expansion of the company's IP portfolio.
DR SAHAR AWWAD
Sahar has extensive knowledge in drug delivery and development of biologics and small molecular weight formulations, pharmaceutical technology, biotechnology and R&D. Sahar has experience in Life Sciences consultancy and project management with knowledge in therapeutics areas of ophthalmology, inflammation and infectious diseases. Sahar received her PhD in UCL, School of Pharmacy and UCL, Institute of Ophthalmology.
CSO & Co-founder
STEVE BROCCHINI
Experience in industry includes Raychem Corp. (Menlo Park, California, 1985) and Xenova Limited (Slough, UK, 1991-1994). Steve was a co-founder of the biopharmaceutical company PolyTherics (now Abzena).
PROF STEVEBROCCHINI
Steve is a chemist (BA, Reed College 1984; PhD, University of Michigan, 1989) and is current Professor in Chemical Pharmaceutics. He has been at the UCL School of Pharmacy in London since 1997. Steve is also a member of the Biomedical Research Centre in Ophthalmology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Scientific Board Member, Director & Co-founder
Steve Brocchini
Peng tee Khaw
- Proposed the 10-10-10 challenge for glaucoma around the world: an intraocular pressure of 10 mmHg for 10 years done in 10 minutes.
- Published the ‘energy’ theory of glaucomatous axonopathy, moving towards stem cell regenerative therapies for the optic nerve.
- Helped to raise over £120 million for clinical and research facilities, including the children’s eye hospital and the clinical research centre at Moorfields.
- The first British President of ARVO and with his group has won some 25 awards. In 2013, he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Ophthalmology.
PROF SIR PENG TEE KHAW
Sir Peng’s research interests are in developing new therapies, particularly for preventing scarring and regeneration, with a special interest in paediatric and young adult glaucoma. He has developed surgical techniques including the Moorfields Safer Surgery System, which have markedly improved the safety and outcomes of antimetabolite-assisted trabeculectomy in many parts of the world. He has also developed anti-scarring regimens, which have led to international clinical trials, and are now in routine use.
Scientific Board Member & Co-founder
YANN BOUREMEL
He received his PhD in Fluid Mechanics in 2010 from King’s College London. He holds an MSc in Engineering (Diplome d'Ingénieur) from ENSTA ParisTech, an MSc in Fluid Mechanics from Paris VI, as well as Masters (Magistère) and BSc degrees in Physics from Paris VII.
DR YANN BOUREMEL
Yann is a biomedical engineer with strong interest in applied engineering to solve biomedical problems. He has experience in designing long term intraocular medical implants and in developing models to study physiological processes. He also has an extensive background in microfluidics, bench testing, instrument control, image visualisation techniques, data processing, modelling and rapid prototyping.
Fluid Biomedical Engineer Consultant
Commercial
TEAM
CHRIS REDHEAD
Founded by Chris in 2009, Aruwon supports life science companies through all aspects of corporate development both on a transactional and day-to-day basis. Chris has an established track-record in guiding university/academic start-ups. As a founding Director of Optosolve Ltd, Chris managed the funding, patent protection and global out-licensing of the company’s topical ophthalmic analgesic. Chris also acts a consulting analyst to Goetzpartners Securites Limited.
DR CHRIS REDHEAD
A seasoned Life Sciences professional, Chris brings a wealth of experience in biopharma ventures. Following an early career as a cell biologist, Chris spent more than twelve years providing ranked life science equity research and was a founder partner of the investment banking boutique Code Securities latterly Nomura Code. In the decade since founding Aruwon, Chris has helped a host of Life Science SMEs manage all aspects of corporate and business development including fund raising and M&A. As a founder of the ocular spin-out Optosolve, Chris secured the funding for development and trans-national out-licensing of its unique topical ophthalmic analgesic; patent protected in major territories and now advancing through clinical development.
CEO, Director & Co-founder
Chris Redhead
Barry Butler
BARRY BUTLER
Barry served as CEO of Sirion until its sale to Novartis in 2010. In 2010, Barry formed Point Guard Partners, LLC, which started and managed several ophthalmic pharmaceutical and services companies, including Revitalid, Inc., Kurobe Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Oculos Clinical Research, LLC. Barry is currently the managing partner of BLP Management Group, a company that starts and manages ophthalmic focused biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Barry holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from The University of Alabama and a Master of Business Administration degree from City University of Seattle.
MR BARRY BUTLER
Barry is an experienced leader with over 30 years of pharmaceutical experience. He held numerous management and executive positions at Glaxo, Inc. and Bausch & Lomb from 1988 until 2001. In 2001, Barry co-founded Acsentient, Inc., which was sold to Ista in 2002, resulting in the launch of Xibrom® and Istalol®. In 2004, Barry founded Sirion Therapeutics, Inc. a successful ophthalmic pharmaceutical company that developed and launched Durezol® and Zirgan®.
Director & Co-founder
RONIL PATEL
Ronil also serves as the Director of Business Development for Point Guard Partners, LLC and its subsidiaries. While at Point Guard Partners, Ronil also served as the Business Manager of OSD Innovations (a joint-venture between Point Guard Partners and Baylor University), where he was in-charge of technology transfer, daily operations, and business development. Prior to joining Point Guard Partners, Ronil worked in research and development labs in the area of drug discovery and drug delivery. His research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals. Ronil holds Master of Technology and Master of Science degrees in Biotechnology.
MR RONIL PATEL
Ronil Patel has over 12 years experience in drug discovery and development. Currently, Ronil is a partner at BLP Management Group, and is responsible for business development and project management. He has extensive operational knowledge of drug development lifecycle development and management. As a project leader on several drug development projects, Ronil created, monitored and maintained timelines for client’s strategic drug development program, as well as coordinated and managed cross-functional teams that involved internal and external (vendors and sponsors) personnel to achieve project goals and meet critical timelines.
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