CEO at Opus Genetics

Dr. Yerxa has more than 30 years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology and nonprofit leadership, including experience in the ophthalmology, pulmonary, rare disease, cardiovascular and HIV fields from drug discovery through product launches. He has been involved with the discovery and development of nine INDs, four Phase 3 clinical programs, two NDAs and two drug approvals. He spent 10 years as a corporate officer reporting to the CEO of a top 50 public biotech company (Inspire) from IPO through multiple follow-on financings raising over $350M. He is an entrepreneur with more than 50 issued US patents and was involved with the creation of the ophthalmic commercial infrastructure and the launch of ELESTAT and AZASITE. He has led both in- and out-licensing deals as well as university technology transfer and manufacturing agreements. In addition to supervising drug discovery, clinical, preclinical, regulatory, drug safety and biostatistics functions, he has also supervised business development, manufacturing, and technical operations groups. He has built several R&D and corporate functions from inception and served on many joint committees with corporate partners. He has more than 10 years of experience in working with Japanese pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies. As CEO of Foundation Fighting Blindness, he championed and launched the Retinal Degeneration Fund, a strategic venture philanthropy vehicle for making mission-related investments.

In 2004, Dr. Yerxa received the Southeastern Region American Chemical Society Industrial Innovation Award for discoveries related to his work with P2Y2 receptors. Dr. Yerxa received the Triangle Business Journal's "40 under 40" award, recognizing his contributions in business and leadership. He was also a finalist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award (NC) in 2003.

Dr. Yerxa serves on the Board of Directors of Opus Genetics, Clearside Biomedical, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Nacuity Pharmaceuticals and Sharefish.

SMD, MMM, FACHE, FACC, FSCAI | Chief Executive Officer, Region I | Corporate Chief Medical Officer, Prime Healthcare

Sunny Bhatia, MD is the CEO of Prime Healthcare's Region I and the Corporate Chief Medical Officer for Prime Healthcare. Region I includes Prime Healthcare's 17 hospitals located in California and Nevada. Dr. Bhatia also serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Sherman Oaks Hospital and Encino Hospital Medical Center, two of Prime Healthcare's acute care located in Los Angeles County. Under Dr. Bhatia's leadership, Sherman Oaks has been recognized multiple times as a "100 Top Hospital" in the nation by IBM Watson Health. Sherman Oaks and Encino Hospitals, combined, have received numerous clinical awards and five-star achievements from Healthgrades, including the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™ for both facilities.

Dr. Bhatia is an interventional cardiologist quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology as well as the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. Dr. Bhatia is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has authored numerous publications and presented his research at national and international conferences. Dr. Bhatia is also involved in charitable causes including the World Children's Initiative and the Uganda Heart Project, which provides cardiac care for children with congenital heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Bhatia established the Bhatia Family Scholarship for Future Community-Based Physicians at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Dr. Bhatia has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as among the "100 CMOs to Know" for several years. In addition, he received recognition as the 2019 Healthcare Innovator of the Year by The Millennium Alliance and as a "Top Doctor" in the LA Business Journal for multiple years. Dr. Bhatia has also led Prime Healthcare through the COVID-19 pandemic as Chair of the National COVID-19 Committee and COVID 24/7 Command Center.

Dr. Bhatia received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed an Internal Medicine Residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where he received the Internal Medicine Outstanding Achievement Award. After completing a Cardiology fellowship at the University of Southern California, Dr. Bhatia pursued further specialty training in Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Bhatia also earned a Master of Medical Management from the USC Marshall School of Business, holds a Certificate in Healthcare Strategy from Harvard Business School, and serves as Associate Professor of Medical Education at the California University of Science and Medicine, School of Medicine.

MB ChB, FRCP, and FFPM from Glasgow and Oxford | Consultant Pharmaceutical Physician

Dr James Parker is a Consultant Pharmaceutical Physician with a specialist background in Clinical Rheumatology within the NHS. He holds an MB ChB, FRCP, and FFPM from Glasgow and Oxford. After training posts in Glasgow and Oxford, Dr. Parker entered the industry to further develop novel agents for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. During this time, he was also appointed an Honorary Consultant at Guy's Hospital in London. Dr. Parker has held several roles as a commercially astute Medical Director in large and small pharma. He set up his own Healthcare Consultancy in 2004 and has been responsible for leading Medical Teams in the UK, Europe, Australia, and Africa. He has worked across most key therapy areas and all phases of Clinical Research, including personal responsibility for taking Byetta© (exenatide) first into man. Dr. Parker has made many contributions at the UK Board Level and, together with commercial colleagues, has been responsible for the launch of several key medicines, most recently the international launch of dolutegravir (Tivicay© and Triumeq©) with ViiV Healthcare. He is valued as a strategist, skillful facilitator, communicator, and performance enhancer. Dr Parker has an established reputation for being a serial team player, thriving on diverse inputs, and is frequently a catalyst for effective, sustainable change.

BSc from India, an MCIPS from London, and an MBA from Birmingham, UK

Mr. Tony Dutta is a highly experienced and qualified professional with a track record of growing companies and enhancing shareholder value. He holds a BSc from India, an MCIPS from London, and an MBA from Birmingham, UK. Mr Dutta has held senior roles in both SMEs and multinationals. He has played a leading role in the launch of new products, and revenue streams, and in setting up international operations.

Mr. Dutta has worked for several leading companies in the UK, including IPS Pharma, where he currently serves as CEO, and Intertek, where he was the Director of Chemicals and pharmaceuticals for the UK. He was also the Managing Director of IPS Pharma, the UK market leader for managed access and unlicensed medicine, where he led the company for a trade sale for £225m in 2015.

Before that, he was the Head of the UK Supply Chain for Schering Plough, a multinational pharmaceutical company, and held similar roles for Bio Products Laboratory, Fairline Boats, and Caribonum.

BSc (Hons), FCA, and BFP academic qualifications

Mr. Vish Patani is a highly qualified and experienced financial professional with a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry. He holds a BSc (Hons), FCA, and BFP academic qualifications. Mr Patani has worked for several leading companies in the UK, including IPS Pharma and B&S Group, where he served as CFO and Group Financial Controller, respectively.

He has also held prior roles as a Financial Controller for a listed Telecommunications Company. Mr Patani is result-driven and has a demonstrated history of working with large private businesses and SMEs. He graduated from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. IPS Pharma is one of the leading brands in the UK for the manufacture and supply of "specials" and unlicensed medicine.

Founded IPS Specials

Ashokkumar D Patel is a highly skilled pharmacist with over 41 years of experience in starting and running pharmacies, wholesale pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing/importing unlicensed Specials, all in compliance with the regulatory authorities. He possesses sound knowledge in all three industries.

Mr Patel founded IPS Specials, a Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturing/Importing company in 2001, making it within a few years one of the leading companies in the UK in that sector. He built a manufacturing facility and obtained an MS manufacturing & WDA(H) license from MHRA and a Home Office Controlled Drugs Licence from the Home Office.

Mr Patel was the Managing Director of Herisse Ltd/Vertical Pharma Resources Ltd T/A IPS Specials, with most of his time spent on new revenue streams. He continues to be a joint Responsible Person on the wholesale Licence (IPS). Mr Patel is a specialist in clinical trial supplies, including procurement, manufacture, and blinding, and holds an MHRA Licence MIA(IMP) 32879. He is also a leading supplier of Medical Cannabis in the UK.

Mr Patel holds a Pharmacy Degree B.Pharma (HONS) from Kings College University of London and is a UK Registered Pharmacist GPhC Reg No: 2024760. He is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).