OIS podcast host Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, caught up with OcuTerra Therapeutics CEO and CMO, Kerrie Brady and David Tanzer, MD, to discuss OcuTerra’s novel small molecule integrin inhibitor. Preclinical data impressed David enough to resign from his CMO role at Novartis to help develop OTT166, a topical agent that meets a clear unmet need for patients with moderately severe to severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR).The standard of care for patients with DR is to simply watch and wait. Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are an option when complications occur, but those introduce significant patient burden.Phase I data for OTT166 looks good, and patients can administer the drops at home.With $35 million in Series B financing secured, OcuTerra will move into Phase II clinical trials early next year, with the goal of dosing 200 patients for the study.Listen to the podcast today to hear Kerrie and David take a deep dive into the MOA of the OTT166 compound and the objectives for the Phase II study. You’ll also discover:The science behind the fluorination technology that enables OTT166.The story of how both Kerrie and David transitioned from medicine to industry. Kerrie entered the pharma and biotech industries after completing a PharmD program. Today she’s an “unrepentant entrepreneur.” David practiced as an ophthalmologist for 20 years before moving into executive roles at Abbott Medical Optics, Novartis, and now OcuTerra.David’s advice for physicians with industry aspirations, and Kerrie’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.