Industry Insider is a timely chat with an ophthalmic industry thought leader.
Ben Bergo
Ben Bergo is CEO of Visus Therapeutics and executive director of the company’s board. Visus Therapeutics is developing BRIMOCHOL, a fixed combination of brimonidine tartrate and carbachol, to treat presbyopia. Mr. Bergo has more than 20 years’ experience in the life sciences industry, with previous leadership positions at companies including Planet Innovation and Nohla Therapeutics.
Ophthalmology Management: How does the BRIMOCHOL eyedrop work?
Ben Bergo: BRIMOCHOL combines carbachol, a well-known miotic agent, with brimonidine tartrate in a fixed-dose combination. Generally speaking, miotics work by reducing the pupil size to stimulate the eye’s natural pinhole effect.
We know from the scientific literature that most miotics come with detrimental side effects, such as headache or brow ache, fluctuations in IOP and ocular redness. What we have found in our clinical studies is that by adding brimonidine tartrate to the miotic agent carbachol, we can, to some extent, mitigate the ciliary body spasm that causes unwanted side effects; additionally, brimonidine tartrate also increases the bioavailability of the carbochol by 50%, extending its duration of effect.
Results from prior clinical studies indicate that BRIMOCHOL can provide patients with 8 or more hours of improved near visual acuity. We will soon be able to share the results of our ongoing Phase 2 study and then will move into two pivotal Phase 3 studies.
OM: What is the significance to the market of a presbyopia-correcting eyedrop, and how does it fit in with options like LASIK, reading glasses, etc?
BB: We have conducted surveys among presbyopes to learn how they feel about their options for correcting presbyopia. Unsurprisingly, many are quite dissatisfied with the hassle and inconvenience of reading glasses.
Surgical correction of presbyopia may be appropriate for some patients, but there are millions of people who would prefer a convenient, non-invasive, reversible approach that provides excellent near vision even as presbyopia progresses. For these patients, a long-lasting eyedrop like BRIMOCHOL may be a great option.
OM: You have 20 years of experience in the life sciences sector. How has that experience prepared you for your current role at Visus Therapeutics?
BB: I’ve had a number of roles in many companies, including ones that have gone through public offerings. That experience has helped me develop a world-class board and management team at Visus and implement plans to bring the company’s products to market as quickly as possible.
What I find unique about eye care relative to other fields is the level of cutting-edge scientific research and the close relationships between clinicians and industry. As Visus grows, I am very excited to be working with leading ophthalmologists and optometrists to bring innovation to their patients. OM
