Yehia Hashad, MD, is the chief medical officer (CMO) and executive vice president of research and development (R&D) at Bausch + Lomb, a leading eye health company which has been in business for more than 170 years guided by the mission of helping people see better to live better. Dr. Hashad has more than 25 years of experience in senior medical, clinical, and research positions at several life sciences companies across North America and Europe, including AbbVie, Allergan, and Novartis.
Ophthalmology Management: Can you discuss your role as Executive VP of R&D and CMO at Bausch + Lomb?
Yehia Hashad: I have served in my current role at Bausch + Lomb for almost 3 years, over which time I’ve had the privilege of leading an exceptional team of medical, regulatory and clinical professionals. At a high level, I am responsible for establishing and overseeing the strategic direction and operational execution of our pipeline innovations and related regulatory, medical affairs and R&D functions.
In my role as CMO I frequently meet with customers, professional societies and advocacy/patient organizations to gain different perspectives, while confirming that our company is providing the best possible support, education and resources to help advance eye health. My top priority is always the safety of our patients.
Within my capacity as head of R&D, I oversee our development pipeline, guide clinical trials and ensure that our innovations meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy. I also represent the company in key interactions with regulatory authorities and oversee the integration of new products into our portfolio.
OM: Why did you move in this direction with your career and how?
YH: After earning my medical degree and completing my residency, I realized that while direct patient care is incredibly important and fulfilling, there was a significant opportunity to drive advancements for unmet patient needs through innovation in the private sector.
The opportunity to work on cutting-edge research for therapies and devices was intriguing and exciting to me. Combined with my interest in strategic and organizational management, this naturally led to roles allowing me to influence both the medical and scientific, as well as business, aspects of drug and device development.
OM: Can you discuss the significance of having an ophthalmologist and retinal specialist in this role?
YH: As an ophthalmologist, I feel my medical training and experience, and that of many on my team, is significant for several reasons. It ensures that our R&D efforts are deeply informed by clinical expertise and a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the eye. This perspective is crucial for designing effective studies, developing targeted therapies and addressing unmet medical needs in the field.
An ophthalmologist’s insight into the challenges faced by patients and eye-care professionals helps align our product development with real-world requirements. It also fosters stronger collaboration with the ophthalmic community and enhances our ability to translate scientific advances into practical, clinically relevant solutions. This specialized knowledge drives innovation and helps in navigating the regulatory landscape and ensuring our products meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy.
OM: Can you discuss Bausch + Lomb’s current pipeline and recent developments?
YH: I am immensely proud of our R&D efforts to create a diverse pipeline that is continually evolving based on patient needs. Spanning our four divisions—Consumer, Pharmaceuticals, Surgical and Vision Care—our pipeline includes novel drug and device candidates, next-generation consumer products and lenses, and innovative delivery systems, all designed to improve patient outcomes and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Currently, we are managing over 50 projects in early to late-stage development, targeting conditions with significant unmet needs such as dry eye disease, cataracts, glaucoma, myopia, AMD and diabetic retinopathy, among others.
I’d like to express my gratitude to all eye-care professionals dedicated to advancing innovation and patient care. Although there is still much work to be done in ocular medicine and science, the strides made in recent years have significantly improved patient outcomes. I’m eager to see what the next decade holds. OM
