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PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Transitions Optical has named Brian O’Neill as global vice president, innovation, technology & operations. His role is “to create and deliver on an innovative vision for the photochromic category, driving the growth long term, and sustaining Transitions Optical as the leader of photochromic technology,” according to an announcement from Transitions Optical. Dr. O’Neill, who holds a PhD in human ocular genetics, will focus on designing and forging the roadmap for innovation, technology and supply chain.

Before joining Transitions Optical, Dr. O’Neill worked at Abbott Laboratories, where he was the global head of innovation and external collaboration in the company’s pharmaceuticals division. He has also held a variety of senior-level positions across multiple organizations through his career including being the global head of lifesciences at Enterprise Ireland, an Irish government agency and one of Europe’s leading seed investors, and VP biopharma at the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. Dr. O’Neill also worked as a business development manager and senior scientist at Genable Technologies, a university-spin out company which was co-founded from his PhD (which was acquired by Spark Therapeutics in 2016).

Dr. O’Neill takes on many of the responsibilities held by past president and chief innovation officer, Paddy McDermott, prior to his retirement in March.