Glaucoma 360 offering cutting-edge innovations and networking opportunities

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/Jennifer Chen)

The Glaucoma Research Foundation will host the 14th annual Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum in San Francisco, a 3-day event bringing together industry, research, and philanthropy professionals in pursuit of a cure for vision loss from glaucoma.

The event will be held February 6 to 8, 2025, at the Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square in downtown San Francisco, California.

In an interview with Ophthalmology Times, Adrienne L. Graves, PhD, and Andrew G. Iwach, MD, cofounders of Glaucoma 360, expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming event.

“We are about to do our 14th annual Glaucoma 360,” Graves said. “It always starts with a gala, which is always a wonderful gala, and that will be February 6.”

During the gala, which runs from 6 pm to 9 pm, Sean Ianchulev, MD, MPH, will receive the Catalyst Award as an “exceptional physician, researcher, inventor, and technology developer.” Michael Belkin, MD, MA, will receive the Visionary Award as a leading ophthalmic innovator and entrepreneur, and the Delta Gamma fraternity will receive the President’s Award as a dedicated advocate, supporter, and volunteer for the visually impaired community.

Graves highlighted that innovation continues to be a key component of the New Horizons Forum, and the upcoming program will be no exception.

The keynote speaker is Carla Siegfried, MD, the Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and vice chair for Diversity, Equity, and Professionalism at Washington University, St Louis, Missouri.

In addition to managing a busy clinical practice, Siegfried is involved in National Eye Institute-supported research that focuses on mitochondrial function and gene expression in the trabecular meshwork, particularly as it relates to racial disparities in glaucoma. She is also a recipient of the Shaffer Prize from the Glaucoma Research Foundation, which recognizes innovative glaucoma research.

The New Horizons Forum agenda for February 7 is, as follows (all times local):

Morning Catalyst

• Time: 8:35 am–8:40 am
• Speaker: Cynthia Steel, PhD, MBA, Technical SETA, ARPA-H

Patient Perspective

• Time: 8:40 am–8:45 am

The Future of Glaucoma Care: Market Scope’s Analysis

• Time: 8:45 am–9:00 am
• Speaker: Kristen Ingenito, MBA, CEO, Market Scope LLC

Maverick Innovators of Glaucoma Devices

• Time: 9:00 am–10:05 am

Break, Exhibits, and Networking Opportunity

• Time: 10:05 am–10:40 am

Beyond IOP: Targeting Neuroprotection and Vision Restoration

• Time: 10:40 am–11:45 am

New Frontiers in Glaucoma Care:
A Veterinary Ophthalmologist’s View

• Time: 11:45 am–12:00 pm
• Speaker: Sara Thomasy, DVM, PhD, DACVO, Professor of Comparative Ophthalmology, UC Davis

Networking Luncheon

• Time: 12:00 pm–1:00 pm

Afternoon Catalyst

• Time: 1:00 pm–1:05 pm
• Speaker: Savak Teymoorian, MD, Glaucoma and Cataract Surgeon, Harvard Eye Associates

Industry Panel Discussion: Glaucoma Devices and Pharmaceuticals

• Time: 1:05 pm–1:50 pm

Reimagining Glaucoma Drugs and Drug Delivery

• Time: 1:50 pm–2:55 pm

Break, Exhibits, and Networking Opportunity

• Time: 2:55 pm–3:30 pm

AI in Glaucoma: Shaping the Future of Diagnosis and Decision-Making

• Time: 3:30 pm–4:30 pm

Venture Capital Insights into Emerging Glaucoma Trends

• Time: 4:30 pm–5:10 pm

What’s Beyond the Horizon for Glaucoma?

• Time: 5:10 pm–5:25 pm
• Speaker: Emmett Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, Senior Partner, HealthQuest Capital Management, Moderator

Closing Remarks

• Time: 5:25 pm–5:30 pm

Iwach emphasized that the agenda will also explore therapeutics, surgical devices, and emerging technologies.

“We’re going to look at the new [artificial intelligence] technology and how that’s going to evolve. Also, we’re bringing in a new view from veterinary medicine,” he said. “We will look at how we can collaborate, which is what it is all about.”

On February 8, the Glaucoma Symposium CME will run from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm, followed by the Optometric Glaucoma Symposium from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

“We will cover clinically relevant topics with speakers from Stanford, our center, and others, all addressing important issues for patient care,” Iwach added. “In the afternoon, we’ll have an optometric symposium focused on issues affecting patients.”

Graves said the program equips innovators with the resources needed to transform ideas into reality.

“We certainly have industry,” she said. “We have startups all the way through strategics. We also have venture capitalists there. Funding is obviously very important. We have glaucoma physicians and many KOLs [key opinion leaders] there. We even have the FDA present, which is an amazing opportunity for early-stage companies.”

Graves added that networking remains a highlight of the meeting.

“People always tell us they love the amount of interaction that happens,” she said. “We try to leave large breaks so attendees can interact with friends, meet new people, or connect with those they’ve always wanted to meet. It’s a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere.”

Iwach echoed the importance of networking for fostering innovation.

“That is what it is all about,” he concluded. “The collaboration, innovation, and synergy. Glaucoma 360 provides the platform to help us move forward. It is small enough that people can actually ask questions after presentations or panels.”