PhotoPharmics Adds Three Experts to Its Clinical & Scientific Advisory Board

PhotoPharmics has welcomed Drs. Charles H. Adler, George Brainard, and Robert A. Hauser to its Clinical & Scientific Advisory Board, augmenting the firm’s expertise in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
 
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Adler, Dr. Brainard, and Dr. Hauser to our Clinical & Scientific Advisory Board,” PhotoPharmics CEO Kent Savage said. “Their expertise and research are invaluable as we continue to develop our light-based therapies. These additions underscore our commitment to advancing treatments that improve the lives of patients worldwide.”
 
The addition of these three experts to PhotoPharmics’ Clinical & Scientific Advisory Board marks a pivotal step in the company’s mission to harness the power of light-based therapies for neurodegenerative disease treatment. 

Adler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Wayne and Kathryn Preisel Professor of Neuroscience Research and a professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic Arizona, where he co-leads the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. He has published more than 600 research papers, focusing on diagnosing and treating movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Dr. Adler’s research also includes exploring biomarkers for early Parkinson’s diagnosis and investigating chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He has held leadership positions in the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society and received numerous awards for his contributions to the field.

Brainard, Ph.D., is a professor at Thomas Jefferson University, where he has directed the Jefferson Light Research Program since 1984. His research examines how light affects human neuroendocrine physiology and circadian rhythms. Dr. Brainard is widely known for his work on melatonin regulation, which led to the discovery of a new class of photoreceptors in the eye. His research has applications in treating seasonal affective disorder, developing lighting countermeasures for astronauts, and improving lighting designs for healthcare and architectural purposes. He has published more than 100 research articles and received numerous awards, including NASA’s Johnson Space Center Director’s Innovation Award.

Hauser, M.D., is the director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine. A leading neurologist with more than 350 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Hauser is one of the most cited experts in Parkinson’s disease. His research focuses on developing new treatments for Parkinson’s and other movement disorders. He is also highly regarded for his expertise in clinical trial design and the development of outcome measures that have become global standards in the field.
 
“The inclusion of Drs. Adler, Brainard, and Hauser significantly enhances our board’s capabilities,” PhotoPharmics Clinical & Scientific Advisory Board Chair C. Warren Olanow, M.D., commented. “Their perspectives will guide our research and clinical efforts, ensuring PhotoPharmics remains at the forefront of innovation in treating neurodegenerative diseases.”
 
The advisory board’s new members join a group of distinguished professionals that includes Ray Chaudhuri, M.D., a global authority on the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and professor of neurology/movement disorders at King’s College London;  Rajesh Pahwa, M.D., chief of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Division at the University of Kansas Medical Center, with expertise in more than 100 clinical trials; Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, M.D., medical director of Movement Disorders Neuromodulation at Mount Sinai Hospital, specializing in deep brain stimulation and digital health technologies; Dan Claassen, M.D., chief of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology at Vanderbilt University, with a focus on neurodegenerative disorders affecting cognition, behavior, and movement; and Amy Amara, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, specializing in sleep disorders in Parkinson’s disease.
 
PhotoPharmics’ Clinical & Scientific Advisory Board (CSAB) serves as a critical resource for guiding the company’s research and development efforts. Comprised of leading experts in neurology, movement disorders, and light-based therapies, the CSAB provides strategic advice on clinical trial design, scientific research, and the development of innovative treatments. The board’s purpose is to ensure that PhotoPharmics’ products are grounded in the latest scientific evidence, meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy, and address the unmet needs of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. 

PhotoPharmics is a privately held, clinical-stage medical device company developing next-generation light-based therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, with a primary focus on Parkinson’s disease. The company is currently conducting a landmark Phase 3 clinical trial—the first of its kind to evaluate a non-invasive light therapy device for Parkinson’s disease at this level. The trial is underway and aims to assess the impact of light therapy on both motor and non-motor symptoms, with the potential to transform the standard of care for patients. Building on more than 30 years of innovation, PhotoPharmics’ founders have a legacy of pioneering light solutions, including those acquired by Philips-Respironics in 2007.