Ocular Therapeutix Executive Chairman Pravin U. Dugel, MD Becomes President and CEO Antony Mattessich is Stepping Down as President and CEO

BEDFORD, Mass., April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCUL) (“Ocular”), a biopharmaceutical company committed to enhancing people’s vision and quality of life through the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and other diseases and conditions of the eye, today announced that Executive Chairman, Pravin U. Dugel, MD, is assuming the roles of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and that Antony Mattessich is stepping down as President and CEO, effective immediately. In addition to his new responsibilities, Dr. Dugel will continue to serve as a director and as Executive Chairman of Ocular.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and employees of Ocular, I want to wholeheartedly express Ocular’s utmost gratitude for Antony's many years of exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the Company. His passion and dedication has guided Ocular for years, enabling the formation of a high-quality organization and the development of our innovative retinal disease pipeline, led by AXPAXLI,” said Dr. Dugel. “I believe AXPAXLI has the potential to dramatically change the treatment paradigm for retinal disease and look forward to advancing the development of this innovative product candidate in 2024 and beyond.”

“The journey with Ocular Therapeutix over the last seven-plus years has been the highlight of my career. Working with the team to emerge from the aftermath of the second CRL with DEXTENZA, through approval and launch, has been amazing. Now, with AXPAXLI enrolling in the Phase 3 program with a Special Protocol Assessment, the Company is set to advance to the next stage,” said Mr. Mattessich. “As Ocular moves forward to transform into a leading retina care company, I am grateful to the employees, advisors, investors and collaborators who have supported the Company’s development and progress. I ‘pass the baton’ to Pravin with enthusiasm and optimism for all that lies ahead. The Company could not be in better hands.”  

About Dr. Dugel, Executive Chairman of the Board, Ocular Therapeutix

Pravin U. Dugel, MD has held previous leadership roles including President of IVERIC Bio, Inc., Managing Partner, Retinal Consultants of Arizona and the Retinal Research Institute; Clinical Professor, USC Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; and Founding Member, Spectra Eye Institute in Sun City, Arizona.