The Empire Forum

November 5, 2026 · Sheraton New York Times Square HotelNew York City

In conjunction with OSN New York & Retina

The Empire Forum

Retina Pipeline and Markets at OSN New York & Retina

Innovation. Insight. Investment. Shaping the Future of Retinal Therapeutics.

The Forum

Direct dialogue between clinicians, industry, and investors.

A one-day executive forum bringing together retina specialists, biotechnology innovators, pharmaceutical leaders, and healthcare investors to discuss the therapies and technologies that will shape retinal care over the next decade.

Unlike traditional scientific congresses, The Empire Forum is built for direct interaction among clinical investigators, industry decision-makers, investors, and key opinion leaders. The focus: late-stage clinical development, emerging science, commercialization pathways, investment trends, and what upcoming therapies mean in practice.

Expected audience

0+

Attendees

  • Retina specialists
  • Pharmaceutical & biotech executives
  • Medical Affairs leaders
  • Investors
  • Business Development executives

Empire Forum begins in

 Days
 Hours
 Minutes

November 5, 2026 · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM · Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City

Attending OSN New York & Retina?

Arrive a day early. Walk downstairs.

The Empire Forum takes place in the same hotel as OSN New York & Retina, the day before it begins. Registration, lunch pickup and exhibits open at 11:00 AM Eastern, with opening remarks at noon. Arrive that morning and join retina leaders for a full day of presentations, discussion and networking.

Registration

Advance Registration

$100

Register in advance and secure your place at the Empire Forum. Advance registration ends September 30, 2026.

On-Site Registration

$200

On-site registration will be available subject to space availability. Advance registration is strongly encouraged.

Register Now

Where Science, Industry, and Capital Meet

Science

Leading retinal disease investigators and clinicians

Industry

Emerging and established pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

Capital

Institutional investors, venture firms, and strategic partners

Three communities that rarely convene in one room, for one focused day.

Co-Chairs & Moderators

Chaired by two of the leading voices in retina.

Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS

Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS

Chair, Department of Ophthalmology

Mass Eye and Ear, Mass General Brigham · Harvard Medical School

“Retina is entering an extraordinary period of scientific progress. The Empire Forum will bring clinicians, innovators, and investors together to examine which emerging therapies have the greatest potential to meaningfully improve patient care.”

“By creating a setting for candid discussion across medicine, industry, and capital, we can look beyond promising data and address the practical questions that determine whether innovation ultimately reaches patients.”

David Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS

David Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS

Partner, Director of Research

Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida · Collaborative Associate Professor, Morsani College of Medicine - University of South Florida

“The retinal pipeline has never been more diverse, spanning sustained-delivery platforms, novel biologics, and genetic and cellular therapies. This forum gives us an opportunity to evaluate that innovation through both a scientific and real-world clinical lens.”

“Meaningful progress requires more than a successful clinical trial. It requires a clear understanding of patient needs, treatment burden, commercialization, and adoption, and those are precisely the conversations The Empire Forum is designed to foster.”

Nationally recognized retina opinion leaders will participate throughout the program as moderators and commentators, providing scientific and treatment perspective and engaging presenters in strategic discussion.

Additional moderators and commentators will be announced.

November 5, 2026

Event agenda

Six scientific sessions, a keynote and lifetime achievement award, and a conversation with retina investors.

Working agenda. Subject to change.

All times Eastern (EST).

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Registration, Lunch & Exhibits Open

12:00 to 12:10 PM

Welcome

Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS

  • David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS

Section I

12:10 to 1:27 PM

Stopping the Clock

Intermediate AMD and Geographic Atrophy

Each presentation is 7 minutes, followed by a moderated panel discussion.

  1. 12:10 to 12:17 PM

    Alcon

    Joshua Anderson

    Vice President, Sales and Marketing

  2. 12:17 to 12:24 PM

    Apellis Pharmaceuticals

    a Biogen company

    Speaker TBD

  3. 12:24 to 12:31 PM

    Astellas Pharma

    Amy Lockefeer, PhD

    Head, US Medical Affairs

  4. 12:31 to 12:38 PM

    Annexon Biosciences

    W. Lloyd Clark, MD

    Senior Vice President, Ophthalmology Strategy and Innovation

  5. 12:38 to 12:45 PM

    i-Lumen Scientific, Inc.

    Veeral S. Sheth, MD, MBA, FACS, FASRS

    Director of Clinical Trials, University Retina and Macula Associates, Chicago

  6. 12:45 to 12:52 PM

    Bausch + Lomb

    John Ferris

    President, Consumer

  7. 12:52 to 1:27 PM

    Moderated Expert Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

    Moderator: David Eichenbaum, MD

    Faculty: Dilsher S. Dhoot, MD, FASRS · Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, FASRS

Panel participants & discussion topics: Section I

Panel speakers

  • Joshua Anderson

    Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Alcon

  • Speaker TBD

    Apellis Pharmaceuticals

  • Amy Lockefeer, PhD

    Head, US Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma

  • W. Lloyd Clark, MD

    Senior Vice President, Ophthalmology Strategy and Innovation, Annexon Biosciences

  • Veeral S. Sheth, MD, MBA, FACS, FASRS

    Director of Clinical Trials, University Retina and Macula Associates, i-Lumen Scientific

  • John Ferris

    President, Consumer, Bausch + Lomb

Discussion topics

  • Can treating intermediate AMD slow or prevent progression to geographic atrophy?
  • What does the evidence support for nutritional supplementation beyond AREDS2, and what would a next-generation trial need to show?
  • Where does photobiomodulation fit in the dry AMD treatment algorithm, and which patients benefit?
  • Does complement inhibition deliver enough clinical benefit to justify the treatment burden?
  • Can neuroprotection succeed where complement inhibition has fallen short?
  • Can vision restoration change expectations for patients with advanced central geographic atrophy?
  • Which Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs are most likely to reach the market, and on what timeline?
Back to program at a glance

Section II-A

1:27 to 2:16 PM

Rewriting the Treatment Paradigm

Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Each presentation is 7 minutes, followed by a moderated panel discussion.

  1. 1:27 to 1:34 PM

    Outlook Therapeutics

    Bob Jahr, MBA

    President & Chief Executive Officer

  2. 1:34 to 1:41 PM

    EyePoint, Inc.

    Jay S. Duker, MD

    President & Chief Executive Officer

  3. 1:41 to 1:48 PM

    Glaukos Corporation

    Tomas Navratil, PhD

    Chief Development Officer

  4. 1:48 to 2:16 PM

    Moderated Expert Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

    Moderator: Rishi Singh, MD

    Faculty: Dilsher S. Dhoot, MD, FASRS · Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, FASRS

Panel participants & discussion topics: Section II-A

Panel speakers

  • Bob Jahr, MBA

    President & Chief Executive Officer, Outlook Therapeutics

  • Tarek S. Hassan, MD

    Senior Vice President, Chief Strategic Science Officer, EyePoint, Inc.

  • Tomas Navratil, PhD

    Chief Development Officer, Glaukos Corporation

Discussion topics

  • Beyond VEGF-A: are dual-pathway and next-generation VEGF strategies delivering real clinical gains?
  • Is gene therapy ready to move from refractory patients to earlier lines of wet AMD therapy?
  • Which novel mechanisms of action have the strongest biologic rationale, and what would convince you?
  • What would it take for a biosimilar or a lower-cost agent to change prescribing behavior?
  • How will wet AMD be treated five years from now, and what has to change to get there?
Back to program at a glance

Section II-B

2:16 to 3:12 PM

The Durability Race

Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Each presentation is 7 minutes, followed by a moderated panel discussion.

  1. 2:16 to 2:23 PM

    4D Molecular Therapeutics

    Chris Simms

    Chief Commercial & Business Officer

  2. 2:23 to 2:30 PM

    Adverum Biotechnologies

    an Eli Lilly company

    Dina Akasheh, PhD, MBA

    Vice President, Medical & Scientific Affairs

  3. 2:30 to 2:37 PM

    REGENXBIO

    Ram Palanki, PharmD

    Chief Commercial Officer

  4. 2:37 to 2:44 PM

    Genentech

    Speaker TBD

  5. 2:44 to 3:12 PM

    Moderated Expert Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

    Moderator: David Eichenbaum, MD

    Faculty: Mark R. Barakat, MD, FASRS · Ferhina S. Ali, MD, MPH

Panel participants & discussion topics: Section II-B

Panel speakers

  • Chris Simms

    Chief Commercial & Business Officer, 4D Molecular Therapeutics

  • Dina Akasheh, PhD, MBA

    Vice President, Medical & Scientific Affairs, Adverum Biotechnologies

  • Ram Palanki, PharmD

    Chief Commercial Officer, REGENXBIO

  • Speaker TBD

    Genentech

  • Jeanne Hecht

    Chief Executive Officer & Chairwoman, Lexitas

Discussion topics

  • Which sustained delivery technology is most likely to change practice, and what durability is required to do so?
  • What durability do long-acting biologics need to displace the current standard of care?
  • Does the field need a true six-month agent, or is four months enough to change practice?
  • What inflammation and immune-response signals would slow adoption of intravitreal gene therapy?
  • How should a one-time gene therapy be priced and reimbursed against chronic injections?
  • What safety threshold must a sustained-release platform clear to earn routine use?
Back to program at a glance

3:12 to 3:27 PM

Networking Coffee Break & Visit the Exhibits

Sponsored by Neurotech Pharmaceuticals

3:27 to 3:47 PM

Keynote Presentation

Innovation, Translational Research, and the Future of Vision Restoration

Keynote Address & Presentation of the Inaugural Empire Forum Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Calvin W. Roberts, MD

    Program Manager, Health Science Futures, Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medicine

Section III

3:47 to 5:11 PM

The Diabetic Eye, Reimagined

Diabetic Macular Edema and Diabetic Retinopathy

Each presentation is 7 minutes, followed by a moderated panel discussion.

  1. 3:47 to 3:54 PM

    Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

    April McCullough, MD

    Senior Medical Director, Ophthalmology Medical Affairs

  2. 3:54 to 4:01 PM

    Merck & Co., Inc.

    Erin C. Henry, PhD

    Associate Vice President, Ophthalmology, Merck Research Laboratories

  3. 4:01 to 4:08 PM

    Kodiak Sciences Inc.

    Victor Perlroth, MD

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  4. 4:08 to 4:15 PM

    Harrow

    Mark L. Baum

    Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

  5. 4:15 to 4:22 PM

    Surrozen

    Dan Chao, MD, PhD

    Vice President and Head of Clinical Development

  6. 4:22 to 4:29 PM

    Voiant

    Vlad Diaconita, MD

    Retina Specialist, Columbia University

  7. 4:29 to 4:36 PM

    Ollin Biosciences, Inc.

    Jason Ehrlich, MD, PhD

    Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

  8. 4:36 to 5:11 PM

    Moderated Expert Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

    Moderator: Rishi Singh, MD

    Faculty: Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, FASRS · Ferhina S. Ali, MD, MPH

Panel participants & discussion topics: Section III

Panel speakers

  • Alena Reznichenko, MD, MSc, MBA

    Vice President, Global Medical Affairs, Ophthalmology, Regeneron

  • Victor Perlroth, MD

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kodiak Sciences Inc.

  • Mark L. Baum

    Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Harrow

  • Dan Chao, MD, PhD

    Vice President and Head of Clinical Development, Surrozen

  • Hanna Rodriguez Coleman, MD

    Medical Director, Ophthalmology, Voiant

  • Jason Ehrlich, MD, PhD

    Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ollin Biosciences, Inc.

Discussion topics

  • Do extended-duration therapies improve outcomes, or only the visit schedule?
  • Where do combination approaches make sense in DME, and what evidence would justify their use?
  • What unmet need remains for novel biologics once anti-VEGF and steroids have been tried?
  • Which emerging mechanisms best address the inflammatory and neurodegenerative components of DME?
  • Can biomarkers or imaging support genuinely personalized treatment selection?
  • What does the DME and diabetic retinopathy treatment algorithm look like in five years?
Back to program at a glance

5:11 to 5:41 PM

Investor Panel

Fueling Innovation in Retina

Moderator

Yash Chalasani, MD

Founder & Portfolio Manager, Alephos Capital Management, LLC

Panelists

  • Yigal Nochomovitz, PhD

    Director, Biotech Equity Research, Citi Research

  • Anupam Dalal, MD

    Chief Investment Officer, Acuta Capital Partners, LLC

  • Biren Amin, MBA

    Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst, Healthcare Equity Research, Piper Sandler & Co.

  • Temi Akande, MBA, MPA

    Analyst, Rock Springs Capital

  • Cameron Taylor

    Managing Director, Global Healthcare Investment Banking, Life Sciences, BofA Securities

  • Rusty Kelley, PhD, MBA

    Managing Director, Gund Vision Fund

Discussion topics: Fueling Innovation in Retina

Discussion topics

  • What makes a compelling early-stage biotech investment in retina?
  • How to read the data: what is a green, yellow, or red light?
  • How do investors weigh regulatory and reimbursement risk in retina?
  • What does the current financing and M&A environment mean for retina innovation?
  • Audience Q&A

5:41 to 5:56 PM

Networking Coffee Break & Visit the Exhibits

Sponsored by Neurotech Pharmaceuticals

Section IV

5:56 to 7:06 PM

Small Populations, Big Science

Rare and Inherited Retinal Diseases

Each presentation is 7 minutes, followed by a moderated panel discussion.

  1. 5:56 to 6:03 PM

    Ocugen, Inc.

    Abhi Gupta, MBA

    Executive Vice President, Commercial and Business Development

  2. 6:03 to 6:10 PM

    Tarsus

    Elizabeth Yeu, MD

    Chief Medical Officer

  3. 6:10 to 6:17 PM

    Opus Genetics, Inc.

    Sarah Tuller, JD

    Chief Regulatory Officer

  4. 6:17 to 6:24 PM

    Beacon Therapeutics

    Daniel C. Chung, DO, MA

    Chief Medical Officer

  5. 6:24 to 6:31 PM

    Atsena Therapeutics, Inc.

    Patrick Ritschel, MBA

    Chief Executive Officer

  6. 6:31 to 7:06 PM

    Moderated Expert Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

    Moderator: David Eichenbaum, MD

    Faculty: Mark R. Barakat, MD · Dilsher S. Dhoot, MD, FASRS

Panel participants & discussion topics: Section IV

Panel speakers

  • Abhi Gupta, MBA

    Executive Vice President, Commercial and Business Development, Ocugen, Inc.

  • Elizabeth Yeu, MD

    Chief Medical Officer, Tarsus

  • Sarah Tuller, JD

    Chief Regulatory Officer, Opus Genetics, Inc.

  • Daniel C. Chung, DO, MA

    Chief Medical Officer, Beacon Therapeutics

  • Alessandro Iannaccone, MD, MS, FARVO

    Global Medical Lead, Cell and Gene Therapies, Astellas Pharma

  • João (John) Trein, MD, MPH

    Therapeutic Lead, Posterior, Ora

Discussion topics

  • What has gene replacement therapy taught us since voretigene, and what comes next?
  • Is gene editing ready for the clinic in inherited retinal disease?
  • Where do cell therapies fit : replacement, rescue, or both?
  • How do we design trials in ultra-rare retinal diseases with endpoints regulators and payers will accept?
  • What makes commercialization viable for a therapy with only a few hundred eligible patients?
  • How do we solve reimbursement and access for one-time, high-cost retinal therapies?
Back to program at a glance

Section V

7:06 to 7:52 PM

Seeing What's Next

The Future Retina Pipeline

Each presentation is 7 minutes, followed by a moderated panel discussion.

  1. 7:06 to 7:13 PM

    Science Corporation

    Frank Brodie, MD, MBA

    Chief Medical Officer, Ophthalmology

  2. 7:13 to 7:20 PM

    Théa Pharma

    Speaker TBD

  3. 7:20 to 7:27 PM

    Inflammasome Therapeutics

    Jayakrishna Ambati, MD

    President

  4. 7:27 to 7:52 PM

    Moderated Expert Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

    Moderator: Rishi Singh, MD

    Faculty: Mark R. Barakat, MD · Dilsher S. Dhoot, MD, FASRS · Ferhina S. Ali, MD, MPH · Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, FASRS

Panel participants & discussion topics: Section V

Panel speakers

  • Frank Brodie, MD, MBA

    Chief Medical Officer, Ophthalmology, Science Corporation

  • Speaker TBD

    Théa Pharma

  • Jayakrishna Ambati, MD

    President, Inflammasome Therapeutics; Vice Chair for Research, University of Virginia

  • Luis Lesmes, PhD

    Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Adaptive Sensory Technology

Discussion topics

  • Which technologies are most likely to change clinical practice over the next five years?
  • Beyond complement: can upstream mechanisms change the trajectory of geographic atrophy?
  • How rapidly will gene therapy become routine retina practice?
  • What is the future of combination therapy in retina?
  • What do physicians need from industry to accelerate adoption?
  • How will investment trends shape the retina marketplace over the next decade?
Back to program at a glance

7:52 to 8:00 PM

Closing Remarks

  • Rishi Singh, MD

  • David Eichenbaum, MD

8:00 to 9:00 PM

Cocktail Reception

Sponsored by Lexitas

Back to program at a glance

Who attends

Retina specialistsOphthalmologists with retina interestBiotechnology executivesBiotechnology AnalystsBiotechnology InvestorsPharmaceutical leadersMedical affairs professionalsClinical development leadersBusiness development professionals

Empire Forum Sponsors

The Empire Forum is supported by leading organizations advancing retinal therapeutics.

4DMTAbbVieAdaptive Sensory TechnologyAdverumAlconAnnexonAstellasAtsena TherapeuticsAuraBausch + LombBeacon TherapeuticsBiogenBoehringer IngelheimEyePoint PharmaceuticalsGenentechGlaukosHarrowHeidelberg Engineeringi-Lumen ScientificInflammasome TherapeuticsKodiakLexitasMerck and EyeBio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.Merit CRONeurotech PharmaceuticalsOcugenOllin BiosciencesOptosOpus GeneticsOraOutlook TherapeuticsRegeneronRegenxBioScience CorporationSurrozenTarsusThéa PharmaVoiant Clinical

Sponsorship Opportunities

A direct line to the people who move retina forward.

Sponsoring organizations gain a highly efficient platform to showcase innovation, communicate clinical and strategic developments, and engage directly with influential retina specialists and investment leaders.

Why companies sponsor Empire Forum

  • Direct access to retina specialists and retina thought leaders
  • Visibility among pharmaceutical and biotechnology executives
  • Exposure to institutional investors, venture capital groups, and strategic partners
  • A platform to communicate pipeline progress and corporate strategy
  • Opportunities to generate awareness, partnerships, and investment interest
  • Participation in focused discussion on the future retinal therapeutic landscape
  • Meet retina opinion leaders in one setting
  • Build relationships with investors and strategic partners
  • Increase visibility ahead of OSN New York & Retina
  • Receive direct feedback on emerging science
  • Position their organization alongside leaders in retinal innovation

2026 Empire Forum is fully committed.

Please contact dansalomone@bpmedsol.com regarding Empire Forum 2027.

dansalomone@bpmedsol.com

Platinum Sponsorship

Premier Industry Leadership Partner

$25,000

  • Podium presentation: 7 minutes plus Q&A
  • KOL-led panel discussion: 30 minutes for additional questions and context
  • 5 attendee badges (additional badges available at $200 each)
  • Premium recognition in meeting materials
  • Exhibit booth in meeting room
  • Company recognition from the podium
  • Video recording of proceedings
  • Complete attendee list
  • Sponsor logo on meeting website and signage
  • Priority positioning among sponsors
Enquire about 2027

Gold Sponsorship

Strategic Innovation Partner

$15,000

  • KOL-led panel discussion: 30 minutes for additional questions and context
  • Exhibit booth in meeting room
  • Recognition in meeting materials
  • 3 attendee badges
  • Video recording of proceedings
  • Complete attendee list
  • Sponsor logo on meeting signage
Enquire about 2027

Silver Sponsorship

Supporting Industry Partner

$10,000

  • Exhibit booth in meeting room
  • 2 attendee badges
  • Recognition in meeting materials
  • Sponsor logo displayed throughout meeting
  • Complete attendee list
Enquire about 2027

Other Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunities

Cocktail Reception Sponsor$5,000

Exclusive recognition during the networking reception, branded signage, recognition from the podium, logo placement throughout the reception area

Fully booked

Breaks Sponsor$5,000

Recognition during refreshment breaks, signage at break stations, logo inclusion in meeting materials

Fully booked

Exhibit Booth Only (if space permits)$5,000

Exhibit table, company signage, access to networking activities, inclusion in attendee materials

Available

Meeting Handout Sponsor$2,500

Exclusive branding on printed meeting materials, recognition throughout the meeting

Fully booked

Badge Lanyard Sponsor$1,500

Exclusive logo placement on attendee lanyards, high-visibility branding throughout the event

Fully booked

Stage Logo Sponsor$1,500

Logo placement in a high-visibility position on the presentation stage

Fully booked

Download the Full Sponsorship Prospectus (PDF)

Sponsorship

The 2026 meeting is fully committed.

Every sponsorship for the 2026 meeting has been taken. Companies interested in presenting emerging science, discussing pipeline strategy, engaging retina leaders, and building relationships with investors are encouraged to get in touch about next year.

2026 Empire Forum is fully committed.

Please contact dansalomone@bpmedsol.com regarding Empire Forum 2027.

dansalomone@bpmedsol.com

Direct contact

Daniel Salomone
CEO & Founder, BioPharma Medical Solutions

dan@bpmedsol.com

empireforum@bpmedsol.com

Reserve

Tell us about your interest

Your inquiry goes directly to the Empire Forum team at empireforum@bpmedsol.com.