Ophthalmic Technology CRO Ora Names Chief Medical Officer

Boston, Mass.-based Ora Inc., a contract research organization for ophthalmic pharmaceutical and device developers, has named David A. Hollander, M.D., MBA, as chief medical officer and senior vice president. Hollander most recently served as therapeutic area head and vice president of clinical development at Allergan, responsible for global strategy and clinical development programs in anterior segment ophthalmology and consumer eye care.

“Ora’s technology, operational approach, and talented team have been critical to building our reputation for excellence. The perspective, experience, and skills that Dr. Hollander brings to Ora will enhance our ability to deliver exceptional value to every phase of our clients’ development programs, large and small,” said Ora’s president and CEO, Stuart B. Abelson.

Founded by Harvard Professor of Ophthalmology and Surgeon, Dr. Mark Abelson, Ora’s mission for over 35 years has been to improve the quality and reproducibility of clinical research in ophthalmology.

“It has been a years-long search to identify the clinical scientist who best exemplifies Ora’s approach to translational research and who can bring to the table all that our clients need: from bench to bedside, from industry to regulatory expertise,” said Dr. Abelson.

Hollander joined Allergan in 2006 as a medical director in ophthalmology and held positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president—Eyecare for U.S. Medical Affairs, and global head eye care for Global Medical Affairs. He oversaw all Phase 4 studies globally over the entire ophthalmic portfolio, which included treatments for dry eye, retina, glaucoma, and external disease and allergy. In his most recent role at Allergan, Hollander represented R&D and clinical development with regulatory agencies, designed and oversaw Phase 1-3 clinical programs, and led clinical due diligence efforts in ophthalmology for business development, culminating in the recent acquisitions by Allergan of Oculeve and AqueSys.

In addition to oversight of the pharmaceutical and device clinical programs, Dr. Hollander will also have executive oversight of the Ora Institute, the internal R&D group focused on method and model development. Ora’s commitment to translational science has given rise to a range of technologies including psychometric scales, imaging techniques, and novel challenge methodologies that complement protocol design and refine operational expertise.

“No firm has a broader reach into the ophthalmic pipeline and has the level of operational excellence that Ora has demonstrated across such a comprehensive range of technologies. Through their facilitation of so many early stage ventures, Ora has become the catalyst for innovation in ophthalmology,” said Hollander.

Hollander brings a wealth of scientific and business expertise to Ora. He holds a B.S. in chemistry from Stanford University, an MBA from the Wharton School, and an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Hollander completed a residency in Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco, and a Heed Fellowship in cornea, external-ocular disease, and refractive surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA, where he is now an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology. In 2010, he received the faculty teaching award for his dedication and efforts in teaching UCLA ophthalmology residents.

“Ora has assembled a team of experts committed to a nimble, creative, and high-performance operating model that has consistently demonstrated excellence in both decision-making and execution,” said Hollander. “Through thoughtfully-designed clinical studies, Ora has delivered 41 regulatory approvals to their clients. I am passionate about what we can accomplish together, continuing to impact the daily lives of millions of patients with the therapies we help bring to market.”

“Dr. Hollander has a profound understanding of endpoints and study designs, and is a superb facilitator of global product development,” said Robert N. Weinreb, M.D., distinguished professor and director, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego.

Hollander and colleagues will be at the Ora booth, #2131, during the Annual Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) May 1-May 5 in Seattle, Wash.