Tony Gibney.

ALPHARETTA, Ga.—Clearside Biomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLSD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the delivery of therapies to the back of the eye through the suprachoroidal space (SCS), has announced the appointment of Tony Gibney as chair of its board of directors, effective November 1, 2024. Gibney, who joined Clearside’s board as an independent director in April of 2024, succeeds Clay Thorp, who will continue serving as a member of the board, according to the announcement.

“Tony is a highly respected member of our board, bringing a wealth of strategic leadership experience in the ophthalmic industry and insightful capital markets expertise," said George Lasezkay, PharmD, JD, president and chief executive officer, Clearside Biomedical. "We are delighted to have Tony take on the role as chair of the board. We are also deeply grateful to Clay for his significant contributions to Clearside as board chair and we look forward to his continued guidance.”

Gibney is an experienced biotechnology executive and former investment banker who brings more than 30 years of experience dedicated to advising and leading biotechnology companies in the U.S. and Europe on business strategy, collaboration transactions, financings, and mergers and acquisitions, according to the announcement. Most recently, Gibney served as the executive vice president, chief business and strategy officer of Iveric Bio, Inc. until the company’s acquisition by Astellas Pharma Inc. in July 2023.

 
 
“Clearside has a valuable and differentiated pipeline and drug delivery platform with a commercial product and multiple promising development programs ongoing both internally and by our partners," said Gibney. "In particular, the recent Odyssey Phase 2b results with CLS-AX in wet AMD reveal a potential best- in-class-profile that will be strategically important in a very prevalent retinal disease. I am honored to be named chair at this important time for the company as we continue expanding the use of our market-leading suprachoroidal delivery platform on our own and with corporate partners to treat a variety of retinal diseases.”