David A. Hollander.
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BOSTON, Mass.—Ora, Inc., a leading partner for ophthalmic pharmaceutical and device development, has appointed David A. Hollander, MD, MBA, as chief medical officer and senior vice president. Dr. Hollander most recently served as therapeutic area head and vice president of clinical development at Allergan, responsible for global strategy and clinical development programs in anterior segment ophthalmology and consumer eyecare.

“Ora's technology, operational approach and talented team have been critical to building our reputation for excellence,” said Ora’s president and CEO, Stuart B. Abelson.

“The perspective, experience and skills that Dr. Hollander brings to Ora will enhance our ability to deliver exceptional value to every phase of our clients' development programs, large and small."

Founded by Harvard professor of ophthalmology and surgeon, Dr. Mark Abelson, Ora's mission for over 35 years has been to improve the quality and reproducibility of clinical research in ophthalmology. “It has been a years-long search to identify the clinical scientist who best exemplifies Ora's approach to translational research and who can bring to the table all that our clients need: from bench to bedside, from industry to regulatory expertise," said Dr. Abelson.

Dr. Hollander joined Allergan in 2006 as a medical director in ophthalmology and held positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president – eyecare for U.S. Medical Affairs, and global head eyecare for Global Medical Affairs. He oversaw all Phase 4 studies globally over the entire ophthalmic portfolio, which included treatments for dry eye, retina, glaucoma, and external disease and allergy.

In his most recent role at Allergan, Dr. Hollander represented R&D and clinical development with regulatory agencies, designed and oversaw Phase 1 to 3 clinical programs, and led clinical due diligence efforts in ophthalmology for business development, culminating in the recent acquisitions by Allergan of Oculeve and AqueSys.

In addition to oversight of the pharmaceutical and device clinical programs, Dr. Hollander will also have executive oversight of the Ora Institute, the internal R&D group focused on method and model development. Ora's commitment to translational science has given rise to a range of technologies including psychometric scales, imaging techniques and novel challenge methodologies that complement protocol design and refine operational expertise.

Dr. Hollander brings a wealth of scientific and business expertise to Ora. Dr. Hollander holds a BS in Chemistry from Stanford University, an MBA from the Wharton School and an MD from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at University of California, San Francisco, and a Heed Fellowship in cornea, external-ocular disease, and refractive surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA, where he is now an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology. In 2010, he received the faculty teaching award for his dedication and efforts in teaching UCLA ophthalmology residents.