Clearside Biomedical Appoints Seasoned Biotechnology Executive Anthony S. Gibney to its Board of Directors

- Appointment Adds Broad Expertise in Business Strategy, Collaborations, Finance, and M&A with Recent Ophthalmic Experience -

ALPHARETTA, Ga., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearside Biomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLSD), a biopharmaceutical company revolutionizing the delivery of therapies to the back of the eye through the suprachoroidal space (SCS), announced today that Anthony S. Gibney has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors, effective April 15, 2024.

“We are delighted to welcome Tony to our Board of Directors as we build on our leadership in delivering therapeutics to the suprachoroidal space,” said Clay Thorp, Chair of the Clearside Board of Directors. “We believe Tony’s significant experience driving value for biotech companies through successful pipeline development, financing, partnering and M&A will be an invaluable resource to the Clearside team as we enter this pivotal growth phase of the company.”

George Lasezkay, Pharm.D., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Clearside, commented, “Tony’s deep understanding of the biotech business, combined with his recent and relevant experience at Iveric Bio, will provide critical insight and guidance for our strategic and business development initiatives as we look towards a potential Phase 3 program for our lead clinical program, CLS-AX in wet AMD, and explore opportunities for suprachoroidal pipeline expansion.”

“I am honored to join the Board of Directors as Clearside offers a differentiated approach in the ophthalmology space,” said Mr. Gibney. “I look forward to partnering with the leadership team and Board to generate value based on the opportunity for CLS-AX in retinal diseases and Clearside’s innovative suprachoroidal delivery platform that I believe has broad potential to improve outcomes for individuals living with a number of sight-threatening diseases.”

Anthony S. Gibney is an experienced biotechnology executive and former investment banker who brings over 25 years of experience dedicated to advising biotechnology companies in the U.S. and Europe on business strategy, collaboration transactions, financings, and mergers and acquisitions. Most recently, Mr. Gibney served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Business & Strategy officer of Iveric Bio, Inc. until the company’s acquisition by Astellas Pharma Inc. in July 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Gibney served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer at Fog Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he oversaw its business development, strategy and finance functions, and he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Achillion Pharmaceuticals, where he led the sale of Achillion to Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2020. Before Achillion, Mr. Gibney was a Managing Director and Co-head of the biotechnology investment banking team at Leerink Partners LLC, and Managing Director of Merrill Lynch’s healthcare group. He currently serves on the boards of directors of LAPIX Therapeutics, Inc. and InflaRx N.V. Mr. Gibney received a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in History from Yale University.