Surface Ophthalmics Announces New Leadership with Richard Lindstrom, MD, and Renewed Vision for Addressing Critical Unmet Needs of Dry Eye Syndrome Patients

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Surface Ophthalmics, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to transforming the management and treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES), today announced the appointment of Richard Lindstrom, MD as Founder & Chairman. A highly acclaimed physician and surgeon in ophthalmology, Dr. Lindstrom is founder and attending surgeon emeritus at Minnesota Eye Consultants, P.A. Dr. Lindstrom will lead in partnership with Surface’s distinguished Board of Directors including Adrienne Graves, Ph.D., (Lead Director); Perry J. Sternberg, Shelley Thunen, and J. Andy Corley.

In the US alone, an estimated 38 million people have some form of DES, yet only 17 million are diagnosed and fewer still, 1.7 million, are using a prescription therapy.^1,2 With its product portfolio in development, Surface seeks to address the full range of DES, from episodic to chronic by providing eye care professionals targeted therapies to treat the signs, symptoms, and underlying causes of DES, which can be naturally occurring or following ocular surgery.³

“I am honored and thrilled to lead Surface Ophthalmics into its next phase of expansion as we work to advance the company’s innovative and proprietary medicinal candidates for patients suffering from DES,” said Dr. Lindstrom. “Our solutions hold significant potential to meet existing gaps in care, and I’m eager to collaborate with our talented team to introduce these products to the market.”

Surface Ophthalmics is advancing two products: Kera Sol™ Tears, an over-the-counter artificial tear solution designed for cell-compatible, short-term, fast-acting, temporary relief of burning and irritation caused by dryness of the eye. Additionally, the company is progressing the clinical program for its investigational drug, Mycosol (Surf-101), a first-in-class prescription eye drop that delivers Mycophenolate in Surface’s proprietary formulation. This combination is designed to provide sustained immunosuppressive action and mucin upregulation at the ocular surface.

Richard Lindstrom, MD

Dr. Richard Lindstrom is founder and attending surgeon emeritus at Minnesota Eye Consultants P.A., a provider of eye care services, since 1989. Dr. Lindstrom has served as a researcher, teacher, inventor, writer, lecturer and highly acclaimed physician and surgeon in the ophthalmology field.

Dr. Lindstrom has served as associate director of the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank from 1987 - 2017. He is a medical advisor for several medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers and serves on the boards of several public and privately held life sciences companies. Dr. Lindstrom previously served as president of the International Society of Refractive Surgery from 1993 to 1994, the International Intraocular Implant Society from 2002 to 2004, the International Refractive Surgery Club from 2002 to 2004, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery from 2007 to 2008. He currently serves on the ASCRS Executive Committee and is a past chair of the ASCRS Foundation. From 1980 to 1989, he served as a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota, where he is currently an adjunct professor and foundation trustee emeritus. Dr. Lindstrom also chaired the Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences Foundation for three decades.

About Surface Ophthalmics

Surface Ophthalmics is a pioneering biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to the discovery and market introduction of novel treatments for diseases affecting the ocular surface. Our mission is to address critical unmet needs in eye care by harnessing in-depth expertise, a dynamic strategy, operational efficiency, and distinctive clinical advantages. To learn more visit www.surfaceophthalmics.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

References

¹ 2019 Dry Eye Products Market Report, Market Scope
² Symphony Rx Data divided by DES Prevalence Study and validated with Market Scope data
³ Craig JP, et al., TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary, The Ocular Surface (2017)

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