Vial CRO’s ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’

As a global tech-forward CRO (contract research organization), Vial is committed to leveraging innovative technology solutions to streamline Clinical trial management and improve patient outcomes. The ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ is an extension of this commitment, providing a platform for industry leaders to share their knowledge and drive forward innovation in the field.

Vial CRO’s ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ aims to bring together influential decision-makers from small to medium biotech and pharma to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in clinical research.

Navigating the Ophthalmology Clinical Operations Landscape: Insights for Advancement

Vial CRO is excited to present the second installment of our ‘First in Human: The Panel Series,’ titled “Navigating the Ophthalmology Clinical Operations Landscape: Insights for Advancement.” In this session, listeners will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights and knowledge about the intricacies of conducting clinical operations in the field of ophthalmology. Ophthalmology is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye disorders. As the field continues to advance, it becomes increasingly important to navigate the clinical operations landscape effectively.

The second live roundtable session of the panel series will launch on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 8:00 AM (PST).

The panelists for this discussion are experts in the field of ophthalmology and clinical research, each bringing their own unique perspective and experience to the conversation. The 60-minute live session will explore key challenges and opportunities for achieving success in ophthalmology trials. From effective recruitment and retention strategies to the unique regulatory or technological considerations for ophthalmology trials, the panelists will provide an in-depth overview, as well as practical advice on how to streamline clinical operations within this therapeutic area. This discussion will provide listeners with the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field.

‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ | Meet the Host

Our esteemed host, Bruno Gagnon, BPharm, MSc, will be joining us again for the second edition of the panel series this October. Mr. Gagnon is the Senior Vice President for Global Clinical Operations at Opthea, a public biotechnology company. Mr. Gagnon received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Laval University and a Master of Science (MSc) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Montreal.

With over twenty-five years of experience in clinical operations, Mr. Gagnon is a proven leader in the ophthalmology clinical trial space, bringing extensive knowledge on optimizing trial design, site selection, study initiation, and execution, as well as overcoming challenges in this field. He has taught courses on clinical trial design and management and good clinical practice as an instructor at the San Francisco State University for over twelve years. Mr. Gagnon has also worked in various leadership roles at Parexel, FibroGen Inc., Roche, and BioMarin. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Development Operations at BridgeBio and Eidos Therapeutics.

Connect with Bruno Gagnon on LinkedIn here!

‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ | Meet the Panelists

This next 60-minute panel will feature influential ophthalmology executives from across the biotech and pharma industry, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the conversation. The following three confirmed panelists will be sitting down with Bruno Gagnon, Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Operations at Opthea.

1. Jen Watts, VP of Clinical Operations – Early Development at Oculis

Vial CRO is delighted to introduce our first esteemed panelist for the October session, Jen Watts, BS, MSc. As the Vice President of Clinical Operations – Early Development at Oculis, she has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking therapies for ophthalmic conditions. Watts holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Arlington and an MSc in Biomedical Sciences from UNT Health Science Center.

With a clinical research career spanning over 15 years, she has worked in various roles that have shaped her into the leader she is today, including Global Study Leader (GSL) at Genentech and Clinical Science Director at Novartis. Following her time at Novartis, Watts then served as a VP of Clinical Operations at Graybug Vision, Inc., where she further expanded her knowledge in ophthalmology and contributed to the development of innovative therapies.

Watts not only understands the key challenges and opportunities in ophthalmology research, but also recognizes the importance of patient-centricity in this field. Therefore, this extensive industry background will offer listeners a unique perspective that goes beyond the development of therapies when navigating clinical operations in ophthalmology. Her expertise in clinical operations, patient advocacy, and innovation management is sure to be an exciting addition to this installment of ‘First in Human: The Panel Series.’

Connect with Jen Watts on LinkedIn here!

2. Dr. Raj Agrawal, VP of Clinical Development and Ophthalmology Lead at Rezolute, Inc.

Our next distinguished panelist is Dr. Raj Agrawal, MD, MSc, a highly accomplished ophthalmologist, educator, and innovator in the field of ophthalmology and clinical development. He is also a member of Vial’s scientific advisory board. With his extensive experience as the Vice President of Clinical Development and Ophthalmology Lead at Rezolute, Inc., he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the discussion.

Dr. Agrawal holds a professional degree in Medicine from B. J. Medical College and Nagpur University, as well as a Master of Science in Regulatory Sciences from the University of Southern California (USC). He is also the Founder and Managing Trustee of Retina India, a unique nonprofit organization focused on providing clinical solutions to individuals suffering from retinal diseases in India.

Furthermore, Dr. Agrawal’s extensive experience in the field of ophthalmology encompasses his position as Adjunct Faculty at the USC Roski Eye Institute. With a diverse background encompassing clinical work, research, teaching, and leadership roles, Dr. Agrawal continues to make a significant impact in the field of ophthalmology with his dedication to improving patient outcomes, advancing research, and addressing the global burden of retinal diseases. Don’t miss this episode of ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ to hear from Dr. Agrawal’s expert insights as we explore the ever-changing landscape of ophthalmology.

Connect with Dr. Raj Agrawal on LinkedIn here!

3. Amy Del Medico, VP of Ophthalmology at Vial CRO

Our final esteemed guest panelist is Amy Del Medico, BSc, MSc, our Vice President of Ophthalmology at Vial, specializing in strategy planning for U.S. and global ophthalmology clinical trials. With a wealth of experience in both retina and anterior segment trials, Del Medico’s expertise and knowledge in the field make her a valuable contributor to this next episode of ‘First in Human: The Panel Series.’

Since completing her Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Exercise and Health Science from the University of Bristol, she has gained over 20 years of experience in industry excellence and leadership. In particular, Del Medico’s background includes a successful tenure at IQVIA, where she held various positions, including Director of the Ophthalmology Centre of Excellence Co-chair and Therapeutic Strategy Lead for Ophthalmology and Neurology.

Her contributions to IQVIA and her experience in home-based roles in the United Kingdom have provided her with a deep understanding of the ophthalmology landscape. Prior to her time at IQVIA, Del Medico worked at Quintiles and Quest Diagnostics, another leading global organization within the pharmaceutical field. Her valuable insights into the ophthalmology clinical operations landscape make her an ideal panelist for the upcoming episode. Attendees of the panel series can expect to gain valuable insights from Del Medico as she shares her experiences and knowledge in navigating the ophthalmology clinical operations landscape.

Connect with Amy Del Medico on LinkedIn here!

How to Engage with the Panel Series and Our Panelists

Vial CRO’s ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in the biotech and pharma industry to engage with influential decision-makers and stay informed about the latest advancements in clinical research.

Event registration

To participate in the live discussion, interested individuals can register here for the event. The registration process is simple and straightforward, requiring attendees to provide their basic information and contact details. Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation email with details about the event and instructions on how to access the live discussion on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 8:00 AM (PST).

Accessing the discussion

The ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ will be hosted online, via Zoom. Attendees can access the live discussion from any device with an internet connection. Once registered, attendees will receive a unique link that will grant them access to the live discussion. The discussion will be recorded, and attendees will have access to the recording after the event.

Participation

The live discussion will be hosted as a roundtable featuring influential decision-makers from the biotech and pharma industries. The panelists will share their unique perspectives and experiences, providing a well-rounded and informative discussion on the current opportunities and challenges facing ophthalmology drug development. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the panelists by submitting their questions and comments via the chat feature.

Don’t Miss Out on Vial CRO’s ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’

The significance of our esteemed panelists in shaping the series cannot be overstated. Their years of experience and expertise have helped to shape the pharmaceutical field and will provide valuable insights into the latest advancements in clinical research. Attendees will gain first-hand knowledge and practical advice from the experts, who will shed light on cutting-edge developments in the clinical trial pipeline and the pharmaceutical industry as a whole.

Vial CRO’s ‘First in Human: The Panel Series’ is an invaluable resource for clinical research professionals looking to gain in-depth insight into the landscape of navigating clinical operations for ophthalmology clinical trials. Don’t miss this and future panel discussions to stay ahead of the curve in the world of clinical research. Register now for the second installment of ‘First in Human: The Panel Series,’ coming out Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 8:00 AM (PST).

To learn more about Vial, our panel series, or podcast, reach out to Catie Neel at [email protected], or contact a Vial team member today!