I have a confession.
The 2025 Clinical Trials at the Summit (CTS) was everything Arshad Khanani said it would be – high impact players influencing change on one of the best world stages in retina.
But surrounding that, it also reintroduced me to Las Vegas, in a way I didn’t quite experience.
So, ahem, I went to 4 pool parties and 4 nightclubs in 4 days. Yes, that happened.
I saw Ne-Yo while grooving in a swimsuit. I saw Two Friends, who are masters of the DJ mash up. Lil Wayne dropped his new single there. And Tiesto was playing at the same venue as CTS at the same time. Friggin Tiesto!
But, no pool would be worth its weight in chlorine without an accompanying conference to give life’s style some substance.
And CTS had it, packed in a single day. Just a stunning display of the latest trial information. And as if that wasn’t enough, I then headed off to Minneapolis for the American Optometric Association (AOA)’s Optometry’s Meeting®, to get the latest updates in optometry.
It was a totally different vibe, of course, so I made the most of something different. I ended up going to the Mall of America, filling up my backpack with purchases, and then running back with it to my Airbnb 8 miles away for exercise. That is indeed something else with a full pack.
So without further ado, let’s look at the top 25 Influencers of my American Summer.
1-2. Drs. Arshad Khanani and Jeffrey Heier
Putting together the 5th Annual CTS 2025 in Las Vegas – and with so many luminaries – was no easy task, and I should know. Having hosted the first-ever private eye care show in Vietnam in 2022, we at Media MICE know showtime always stretches organizational capabilities (in our case, getting government stamps on reams of paperwork for approval by show deadline).
I suspect achieving the caliber of delegate with the massively quality program was an enormous chore for Arshad, Jeffrey and Dr. Peter Kaiser (not pictured).
With topics like Imaging and Functional Biomarkers for Clinical Trials with moderators like Dr. Glenn Jaffe, this was no lightweight show. Nothing of the sort. Optical Coherence Tomography to Function (OCT Fx) Delphi Study: Algorithms for EZ-Related Analysis, also was presented by Dr. Anat Loewenstein. Retina A-listers Drs. Frank Holz, Quan Nguyen, Michael Singer, Victor Gonzalez, Paulo Stanga…were all there, and the list went on.
3. Margot Goodkin
Margot and I ran into each other last at ARVO in Salt Lake City, earlier this year. She is VP of Ophthalmology Clinical Development at Annexon Biosciences. I just love the photo on this company’s homepage. Check it out and you’ll see what I mean – not your average joyful seniors moment. They seem actually happy.
“ANX007 involves a differentiated neuroprotective approach designed to protect photoreceptor cells and retinal function by blocking C1q and the entire classical pathway, while allowing for normal immune activity of the lectin and alternative complement pathways,” according to the company. It has received Priority Medicine (PRIME) designation from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of GA, and is in Phase III trials. Overall, Annexon is focused on the next generation of complement therapies, both in and outside of ophthalmology.
4. Dr. Jay Pepose
Jay was always a massive figure during my days at ASCRS as a senior writer, so when I found out he was also a fan of mine some years back, I couldn’t believe it. Since then, it has always been a pleasure catching up.
Jay – aside from being founder of Pepose Vision Institute, which is a 40,000 square foot advanced ophthalmic facility, also is Chief Medical Advisor of Opus Genetics.
The company is focused on inherited retinal disease (IRDs), and in particular, “OPGx-RHO is in preclinical development to support the initiation of a first-in-human trial in 2026,” the company notes.
READ MORE: Opus Genetics’ VEGA-3 Trial Hits Primary Endpoint for Phentolamine 0.75% for Presbyopia
5. Ben Burton
Ben, CEO of iuvo Clinical, presented Insights from CRO Leadership in Retina: Key Factors for Successful Clinical Trial Execution.
Ben spoke from major experience. Before Bausch + Lomb was acquired by Valeant, Ben was Global VP of Quality for the Pharmaceutical Business Unit and was a member of the B+L Global Leadership Team.
Today iuvo provides end-to-end clinical trial support and is 100% focused on ophthalmology.
6. Alia Rashid
It was great meeting Alia at CTS. Alia is Vice President of Clinical Development at Ascidian Therapeutics.
And I have to say, the Ascidian story is compelling.
“Ascidians – also known as sea squirts – are ocean creatures and primordial ancestors of vertebrates,” according to the company story. “To grow from larvae to adults, ascidians re-engineer their transcriptome through RNA trans-splicing and alternative splicing. Ascidian Therapeutics was founded to rewrite RNA by editing and replacing human exons, inspired by this example.”
So, how does this impact ophthalmology?
“Ascidian’s lead program targets ABCA4 retinopathy, including Stargardt disease. Stargardt disease is caused by mutations in the ABCA4 gene which lead to progressive retinal degeneration and vision loss, typically beginning in childhood and young adulthood. Affecting more than 30,000 individuals in the United States alone, Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration.”
READ MORE: Ascidian’s RNA Exon Editor for Stargardt Disease Makes Historic First in Gene Therapy
7. Jodie Madden
So we bonded instantly over the long flight over, as our journey to CTS was definitely an air effort!
Jodie is the Global Medical Affairs Lead of International Markets at Astellas Pharma.
8. Dr. Lejla Vajzovic
Lejla was a panelist in the Clinical Trials in Inherited Retinal Diseases symposium. She also presented on Gildeuretinol Slows Progression of Stargardt Disease: The TEASE Program, as well as Novel Modifier Gene Therapy: The Future of Inherited Retinal Diseases.
We had last seen each other during our AAO-partnered Media Wall at Eyecelerator in Deer Valley, alongside ARVO in Salt Lake City. Lejla was a dynamic panelist – and always dressed to the nines!
READ MORE: FDA Clears Ocugen’s Phase II/III Trial for Stargardt Disease Gene Therapy
9. Roche/Genentech Team
Well, this photo can speak for itself. Read more about it here:
We had an absolute blast post-CTS and had hangs planned out for the rest of the year alongside ASRS in Long Beach and Euretina in Paris. The friendship continues!
10. Dr. Deepak Sambhara
Deepak was a panelist on SOL Program Unpacked: Exploring OTX-TKI’s Potential with Trial Experts.
It was great to see him again in action after our hike and interview in Kauai alongside the Hawaiian Eye & Retina meeting this past January. He was gracious to extend an invitation to his clinic in Wisconsin, anytime.
I got there within 3 hours, as my next stop after Las Vegas was Minneapolis! Next time around Deepak! Yes indeed, Minneapolis for the American Optometric Association’s annual meeting.
11. Kristen Brotherson
First up, I had a little hang with Kristen Brotherson, General Manager of US Vision Care at Alcon. I definitely enjoyed our photo together here. Read all about it!
12. Scott Conner
I had the good fortune to meet Scott at AOA after our mutual friend and associate Lisa Praeger couldn’t make it. I was bummed not to see her, but Scott held court on TRYPTYR® (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003%, which is now FDA-approved for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye. It’s a first-in-class of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) receptor agonists — thermoreceptors involved in tear production. It sounds quite remarkable, as some study patients have experienced increased tear production as early as Day 1. And it’s all in the form of a drop, twice daily. Congrats on this unique product, Scott!
READ MORE: Alcon Secures FDA Approval for TRYPTYR for Dry Eye Disease
13. Team J&J Vision
I ran into Erin Wolf Valich while buying some BVLGARI shades at a steep discount, courtesy of a special discount section of AOA. The prices were truly incredible and took me (and probably Erin) away from the exhibition hall for at least an hour. Time well spent? Absolutely! This is the fun part of optometry conferences as opposed to ophthalmology ones, I confess.
READ MORE: Johnson & Johnson Rolls Out TECNIS Odyssey IOL In Europe, Middle East and Canada
14. Peter Menziuso
After a few more run-ins with J&J folks, I made my way to a major launch event for Oasis MAX, and had the good fortune of speaking to Peter Menziuso, Group Chairman of Johnson & Johnson Vision… more about that here:
15. Team GMAC
The stars lined up for the stars of AOA, from what I could see. Indeed, there was no more important group meeting than that of the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition. Global — because myopia is an epidemic that crosses borders without discrimination — and as we learn, more and more it has an impact from youth to old age. Here was my post on that:
16. Rahim K. Hirji
Rahim is like a pop-up person (instead of shop). Seemingly everywhere I travel, he pops up without hesitation, and that’s saying something given my rigorous schedule. I’m really happy to have a friend that isn’t just always a WhatsApp connection — which can happen in this day and travel age. Aaaannd…I found out Rahim has made major progress in his business at Versea. Things sound like they are really advancing, and I’m looking to hear even more about that in the fall at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting.
17. Mark Saad
Mark, CEO and Board Member of NuLids, is a wealth of information when it comes to Demodex blepharitis. And the most fascinating point, I found, was that from his point of view, therapies can be complementary. For example, Tarsus with its therapy is in this space, but Mark said he doesn’t see them as competition at all. Rather, he believes both his mechanical debridement and Tarsus can work together to attack this disease. The idea of cooperation was compelling, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of Mark around the eye block.
18. Erich Mattei
Erich is full of charisma, and I get stocked just reading his title: President and Chief Vision Officer.
His particular skill set involves, on behalf of Akrinos, supporting strong business foundations for optometry practices to thrive.
“Cold-starting or purchasing your first practice?” Erich asks on LinkedIn. “Growing or scaling your established practice? Partnering or transitioning a legacy practice?” These are all the times Erich and Akrinos come in to support businesses. And, I believe with his knowledge and people skills, he’s incredibly successful at it.
19. Team WCO
Sven Mehlitz of Media MICE, and I had a delightful meet up with the World Council of Optometry executives. This group, which has a large global following for its obvious influence, also had partnered with AOA on its show in Minneapolis. Sometimes “domestic US” and “global” actually are two separate things as far as industry is concerned. But, it’s clear that the world is the world when it comes to the WCO, and we love to see that. Because the truth is, optometry is needed in more parts of the world than it currently is established in. And having strength in as many places as possible, is also therefore important.
READ MORE: Optometry Australia Endorses WCO’s Global Standard for Myopia Management
20. Mark Bullimore
Mark is one of those conference speakers that simply reflect the significance of an optometry event. Where Mark goes, pay attention. And, his LinkedIn description is gold: Independent Regulatory Consultant at 7,000 Feet, Boulder, Colorado. That sounds like George Clooney “Up in the Air” kind-of-cool to me.
21. Joanne Hu
Joanne delightfully stopped me on the exhibition floor of AOA for a great convo. She is the Medical Director of Clinical Development at Nanoscope Therapeutics, which even our editorial team is impressed with. Keep an eye on these guys in this space — big things are happening.
22. T.J. Waggoner
T.J. is what I would describe as a dude. We at Media MICE reserve this description (which for us is gender neutral) for people that not only are doing good work in the field, but who really resonate with us. And T.J. absolutely, massively, resonates with us. So what he does at Waggoner is important, yes, but more critical to us is that he is in the rare space, of dudes.
READ MORE: Waggoner Diagnostics’ Color Vision Test Recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration
23. Alan Glazier
Alan continues to do great things with his media group Flourescene. We are always impressed by how Alan rigorously vets subscribers to the group, to keep it as pure in optometric spirit as possible. Alan’s personality, his friendliness and his business acumen are second to none in the field, and so it was wonderful to finally meet in person at AOA, which was more like a meeting of the minds. Fantastic time.
24. Tareq Nabhan
Tareq stopped me at a Bausch + Lomb-supported party at AOA, and it was very touching. He mentioned he was a fan of what we are doing at Media MICE, and I could tell right away this is a very quality individual. So to receive that kind of compliment from someone with the stature of Tareq, well, it made my evening. So, thank you, Tareq.
25. Mark Eltis
It also was great meeting Mark, of View Eye Care, Toronto, Canada. Mark has been a very notable collaborator over the years, but sometimes it takes years to meet these days given our global presence. We did indeed meet at the B+L-supported party at AOA…what a great night to bring people together. It was a pleasure, Mark!
Well, that’s a wrap for another wrap-up, and just before the next conference for me starts — the American Society of Retina Specialists, in Long Beach.