Business Wire12.06.17
LENSAR Inc., an emerging developer of next-generation femtosecond laser technology for refractive cataract surgery, said William J. Link, Ph.D., has joined the company’s board of directors as its chairman. A well-known ophthalmic industry leader, Link’s appointment to the company’s board is effective immediately.
“I have known and worked with Bill for most of my career, and couldn’t be more pleased he has decided to join the LENSAR team and be part of our future success. This is the continuum of a year of tremendous momentum for our company. Bill’s leadership and expertise in our industry will unquestionably serve us well as we continue the work of maximizing our value in the refractive cataract surgery sector,” said Nicholas Curtis, CEO of LENSAR. “It is an exciting time for LENSAR, our technology and refractive cataract surgery. The best is yet to come.”
Link co-founded and is the managing partner of Flying L Partners, focused on advising and investing in mid to late stage ophthalmic companies. He also is a co-founder and a managing director of Versant Ventures, which specializes in early-stage investing in medical devices. Prior to Versant, Link was a general partner at Brentwood Venture Capital. He founded, and served as chairman and CEO of Chiron Vision until the company was sold to Bausch and Lomb in 1997. Link founded and served as president of American Medical Optics (AMO), a division of American Hospital Supply Corp., which was sold to Allergan in 1986. He served on the board of AMO’s successor company, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), which was acquired by Abbott in 2009 and then acquired by Johnson and Johnson in 2016. Link serves on the Board of Directors of several private companies and three public companies, Glaukos, Second Sight and Edwards Lifesciences. A former assistant professor, department of surgery, at Indiana University School of Medicine, Link received his bachelor of science, master of science, and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
“I have been engaged in the development and utilization of femtosecond lasers in the cataract surgery premium channel since its inception and have always been impressed with the potential of the LENSAR platform,” said Link. “While much progress has been made, there is still opportunity for significant growth. Over time, the LENSAR Laser System has emerged as a top-tier technology. As chairman of the board, I look forward to helping the company become a market leader.”
LENSAR Inc. develops next-generation femtosecond cataract laser technology for refractive cataract surgery. The LENSAR Laser System with Streamline IV offers cataract surgeons automation and customization for their astigmatism treatment planning and other essential steps of the refractive cataract surgery procedure with the highest levels of precision, accuracy, and efficiency. These features assist surgeons in managing astigmatism treatment for optimal overall visual outcomes.
The LENSAR Laser System has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for anterior capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, and corneal and arcuate incisions. For other indications, it is an investigational device limited by U.S. law to investigational use only.
LENSAR Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PDL BioPharma Inc.
“I have known and worked with Bill for most of my career, and couldn’t be more pleased he has decided to join the LENSAR team and be part of our future success. This is the continuum of a year of tremendous momentum for our company. Bill’s leadership and expertise in our industry will unquestionably serve us well as we continue the work of maximizing our value in the refractive cataract surgery sector,” said Nicholas Curtis, CEO of LENSAR. “It is an exciting time for LENSAR, our technology and refractive cataract surgery. The best is yet to come.”
Link co-founded and is the managing partner of Flying L Partners, focused on advising and investing in mid to late stage ophthalmic companies. He also is a co-founder and a managing director of Versant Ventures, which specializes in early-stage investing in medical devices. Prior to Versant, Link was a general partner at Brentwood Venture Capital. He founded, and served as chairman and CEO of Chiron Vision until the company was sold to Bausch and Lomb in 1997. Link founded and served as president of American Medical Optics (AMO), a division of American Hospital Supply Corp., which was sold to Allergan in 1986. He served on the board of AMO’s successor company, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), which was acquired by Abbott in 2009 and then acquired by Johnson and Johnson in 2016. Link serves on the Board of Directors of several private companies and three public companies, Glaukos, Second Sight and Edwards Lifesciences. A former assistant professor, department of surgery, at Indiana University School of Medicine, Link received his bachelor of science, master of science, and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
“I have been engaged in the development and utilization of femtosecond lasers in the cataract surgery premium channel since its inception and have always been impressed with the potential of the LENSAR platform,” said Link. “While much progress has been made, there is still opportunity for significant growth. Over time, the LENSAR Laser System has emerged as a top-tier technology. As chairman of the board, I look forward to helping the company become a market leader.”
LENSAR Inc. develops next-generation femtosecond cataract laser technology for refractive cataract surgery. The LENSAR Laser System with Streamline IV offers cataract surgeons automation and customization for their astigmatism treatment planning and other essential steps of the refractive cataract surgery procedure with the highest levels of precision, accuracy, and efficiency. These features assist surgeons in managing astigmatism treatment for optimal overall visual outcomes.
The LENSAR Laser System has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for anterior capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, and corneal and arcuate incisions. For other indications, it is an investigational device limited by U.S. law to investigational use only.
LENSAR Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PDL BioPharma Inc.