Preeya K. Gupta, MD
PLEASANTON, Calif.—Surface Ophthalmics Inc., a pharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapeutics for ocular diseases, has appointed Preeya K. Gupta, MD, as chief medical advisor (CMA). As CMA, Dr. Gupta will consult with Surface Ophthalmics’ leaders and lend her expertise, particularly in dry eye disease, to help guide Surface's three unique clinical programs as they move forward, the announcement noted. “I'm looking forward to working with the Surface leadership team to move these important clinical programs forward on behalf of patients living with dry eye disease or pain and inflammation following ocular surgery,” Dr. Gupta said.

“As the lead investigator for the SURF-200 clinical trial, I'm already familiar with the potential offered by Surface's innovative building blocks in creating therapies that are not only effective, but also focused on patient comfort. I'm looking forward to working with the team to advance these important therapies."

Dr. Gupta is a tenured associate professor of ophthalmology at Duke University Eye Center in Durham, N.C., and an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) clinical committees. She also is the former president of the Vanguard Ophthalmology Society.

Dr. Gupta has been awarded the National Millennial Eye Outstanding Female in Ophthalmology Award and nominated multiple times to the Ophthalmology Power List. She actively publishes in the peer-reviewed literature and is a national and international expert on anterior segment disease.

"We're thrilled to have Preeya consult with us as our chief medical advisor,” Kamran Hosseini, MD, PhD, president and chief executive of Surface Ophthalmics, added. "She brings incredible expertise in the treatment of dry eye disease—in both patient care and academic settings—which will be invaluable as we advance multiple clinical programs in dry eye."

Surface Ophthalmics is advancing three clinical programs: one in chronic dry eye disease (SURF-100), one in acute dry eye (SURF-200), and one in pain and inflammation following ocular surgery (SURF-201). These programs utilize Klarity as the delivery vehicle, which is designed to enhance patient comfort as well as protect and rehabilitate the ocular surface.

In only two years, Surface has filed three unique INDs and officially moved all three of the programs into Phase II trials.