SEATTLE, BOSTON & TOKYO– Aurion Biotech, whose mission is to restore vision to millions of patients with its life-changing regenerative therapies, today announced it has appointed Michael Goldstein, M.D., M.B.A., as president and chief medical officer. Dr. Goldstein will lead the Company’s clinical strategy, development and operations; medical affairs; and manufacturing and quality teams for its first product candidate, a cell therapy to treat corneal edema secondary to endothelial dysfunction.
“As both a world-renowned ophthalmologist and experienced biotech executive with multiple products brought to market under his leadership, Dr. Goldstein is exactly what we need to propel our development at Aurion Biotech,” said Greg Kunst, Aurion Biotech chief executive officer. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to our team.”
Before joining Aurion Biotech, Dr. Goldstein served as president and chief medical officer of Ocular Therapeutix (Nasdaq: OCUL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye. Before that, Dr. Goldstein was chief medical officer of Applied Genetic Technologies Corp (Nasdaq: AGTC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of products for the treatment of rare diseases of the eye. Before joining AGTC, Dr. Goldstein held several positions of increasing responsibility with Eleven Biotherapeutics, including chief medical officer and vice president of clinical research.
“Like many of my colleagues in ophthalmology, I am intrigued by the life-changing potential of corneal endothelial cell therapy,” said Dr. Goldstien. “It’s why I’m eager to help the Aurion team bring this transformational cell therapy to patients in need throughout the world.”
Since 2002, Dr. Goldstein has served as co-director of the cornea and external disease service and assistant professor of ophthalmology at the New England Eye Center and Tufts University School of Medicine. Previously, he was director of the refractive surgery service and assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Goldstein has published extensively and is a reviewer for multiple ophthalmology scientific journals.
“The fantastic team at Aurion Biotech just got even better!” said Edward Holland, M.D. and chair, Aurion Biotech medical advisory board. ”I’ve known Mike Goldstein for many years, and am delighted to work closely with him as we develop this ground-breaking corneal endothelial cell therapy.”
Dr. Goldstein holds an M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School, an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and earned his B.A. in Political Economy from Williams College.
