DEDHAM, Mass. — Qlaris Bio Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for glaucoma, has appointed Fred Guerard, Pharm.D., as president and chief executive officer, effective March 1, 2026. He will also join the company’s board of directors.
Dr. Guerard succeeds Thurein Htoo, who helped establish the company and advance its clinical pipeline through key development milestones. Htoo will remain with the company through April 1, 2026, to support the leadership transition.
“As Qlaris advances QLS-111 into Phase 3 clinical development, we are pleased to welcome Fred as our next chief executive officer,” said Ron Hunt, chairman of the board of directors of Qlaris. “Fred brings more than two decades of global ophthalmology leadership experience across biotechnology and major pharmaceutical organizations. His proven ability to build high-performing teams and drive clinical and commercial execution will be invaluable as we enter this pivotal stage of growth. We are deeply grateful to Thurein for his leadership and dedication since the Company’s founding.”
Qlaris Bio is developing treatments for glaucoma, including its lead candidate QLS-111, which is designed to lower intraocular pressure through a novel vasodilatory mechanism targeting the episcleral vein.
“I am honored to join Qlaris at this pivotal moment,” said Dr. Guerard. “QLS-111 represents a differentiated and potentially transformative approach to lowering intraocular pressure by targeting the episcleral vein through its novel vasodilatory mechanism. I look forward to working with Qlaris’ talented team to advance our Phase 3 program and prepare the organization for commercialization.”
Dr. Guerard brings more than two decades of leadership experience in ophthalmology and biotechnology. Most recently, he served as chief executive officer of Opthea, where he helped strengthen the company’s strategic and financial position as it advanced its pivotal clinical program.
He previously served as president and chief executive officer of Graybug Vision, where he led the company through a Series C financing and its initial public offering. Earlier in his career, he spent about 20 years at Novartis, including serving as worldwide franchise head of ophthalmology. In that role, he oversaw a global portfolio spanning the Novartis retina and Alcon pharmaceuticals businesses and led several strategic transactions to expand the company’s pipeline.
“We are grateful to Thurein, co-founder and previous CEO, for his many invaluable contributions in co-founding the company and in providing strong leadership through the early phases of pre-clinical and clinical development. Qlaris is now in a strong position to take QLS-111 through late-stage development, and we wish to thank Thurein for his outstanding efforts in leading the company to this point,” said Wende Hutton, member of the board of directors of Qlaris and general partner of Canaan Partners.
Dr. Guerard holds a doctor of pharmacy degree and a master of biological and medical sciences from the University of Rouen in France, as well as a master of marketing from HEC Paris. He also serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Lenz Therapeutics, CalciMedica, Spiral Therapeutics and Unither Pharmaceuticals.
