Bausch and Lomb appoints Grant for surgical business

Rochester, NY-Robert E. Grant will join Bausch + Lomb on Aug. 1 as its chief executive officer (CEO) and president of the company's global surgical business.

Although his previous roles have been in cosmetic dentistry and the medical rejuvenation industry, Grant has held management positions within ophthalmology.

From 1997 to 2003, Grant worked for Lumenis as executive vice president of its ophthalmic business unit and its surgical business unit, vice president of business development, and managing director of European operations. During his tenure, he launched WaveLight AG refractive laser products into global markets.

Before that, he spent 3 years with Biolase Technology, a global cosmetic dentistry firm, serving as chief operating officer, chief financial officer, acting chairman, president and CEO, and returning the company to profitability and growth.

'Leader and innovator'

Bausch + Lomb CEO Brent Saunders said Grant is an "exceptional leader and innovator" who will help the company in what he described as "a new phase of high performance."

"My role will be more rapidly unleashing that value and innovation for the benefit of our customers and patients," Grant said.

Saunders said Grant will help Bausch + Lomb in its new effort to launch innovative products to serve customers better. The company's surgical area accounts for about one-quarter of its business, with the remainder in vision care and pharmaceuticals.

"We're taking steps to . . . leverage our strengths in all three areas for the benefit of all of our customers, whether it be for sharing optical design insights between our contact lens and IOL teams, or making sure ODs have knowledge of our cataract surgical options when making a referral to an ophthalmologist," he said.

Saunders praised Grant's past performance in creating "rapid value creation," and said Grant will help lead an effort to add new products through organic development, licensing, and/or acquisition. Creating value could include some reporting and staffing "shifts," he said.

He declined to say whether Bausch + Lomb was working to emerge from private ownership and return to the New York Stock Exchange, although he said going public was "a possibility at some future point."

"We're building the value of the company for the benefit of our investors, our employees, our customers, and patients," Saunders said. "My focus-and that of all our 11,000 employees around the world-is on creating a high-performance company with stellar customer relationships."

Grant said his primary goal is to build high performance through innovative products, motivated people, and strengthened customer relationships.

Grant replaces J. Andy Corley, who served as president since 2008 and who will serve as a senior advisor to Saunders and the senior leadership team.