Ocular Therapeutix Appoints Michael Goldstein, M.D., M.B.A., As Chief Medical Officer

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ocular Therapeutix™, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCUL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye, today announced the appointment of Michael Goldstein, M.D., M.B.A., as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Goldstein is a highly-accomplished ophthalmologist, having held several senior medical leadership positions with ophthalmology-focused pharmaceutical companies and published extensively in multiple ophthalmology scientific journals. In his role, Dr. Goldstein will oversee the clinical development of the Company’s product pipeline.

“We are pleased to further strengthen our executive leadership team with the appointment of Mike as our Chief Medical Officer,” said Antony Mattessich, Chief Executive Officer. “Mike brings a deep expertise in both biopharmaceuticals and ophthalmology, and possesses the vision and clinical leadership skills required to realize the Ocular’s full potential. His experience will be critical as we prepare to initiate multiple clinical trials, including our second Phase 3 trial with OTX-TP for the treatment of glaucoma and hypertension, our pilot human clinical trial with OTX-TIC for the treatment of glaucoma and hypertension, and our Phase 1 clinical trial with OTX-TKI for the treatment of serious retinal diseases.”

Prior to joining Ocular Therapeutix, Dr. Goldstein served as Chief Medical Officer of Applied Genetic Technologies Corp (AGTC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of products for the treatment of rare diseases, with a focus on ophthalmology. Before joining AGTC, Dr. Goldstein held several positions of increasing responsibility with Eleven Biotherapeutics, including Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical Research. Since 2002, Dr. Goldstein has served as Co-Director, Cornea and External Disease Service and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the New England Eye Center and Tufts University School of Medicine. Previously, he was Director of Refractory Surgery Service and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Goldstein has published extensively and is a reviewer for multiple ophthalmology scientific journals. Dr. Goldstein holds an M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School, an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and received his B.A. in political economy from Williams College.

“I believe Ocular’s hydrogel technology platform offers tremendous potential to improve patient and physician outcomes across a wide range of diseases and conditions,” said Dr. Goldstein. “I look forward to applying my expertise and working with the team to help ensure the strategic advancement of Ocular’s diverse portfolio of clinical-stage development programs.”

About Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using its proprietary hydrogel platform technology. Ocular Therapeutix’s lead product candidate, DEXTENZA™ (dexamethasone insert) 0.4 mg for intracanalicular use, has completed Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of ocular pain and inflammation following ophthalmic surgery. OTX-TP (travoprost insert) is in Phase 3 clinical development for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The Company’s earlier stage assets include OTX-TIC, a sustained release travoprost intracameral injection for the treatment of moderate to severe glaucoma and ocular hypertension, as well as sustained release intravitreal injections for the treatment of retinal diseases. These injections include the development of OTX-TKI, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and, in collaboration with Regeneron, an extended release protein-based anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap. Ocular Therapeutix's first product, ReSure® Sealant, is FDA-approved to seal corneal incisions following cataract surgery.

Forward Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company including the development and regulatory status of the Company’s product candidates, such as the Company’s expectations and plans regarding product development efforts and regulatory submissions for and the timing and conduct of clinical trials of DEXTENZA for the treatment of post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain, including with respect to the manufacturing deficiencies identified by the FDA and the prospects for approvability of DEXTENZA for these indications, DEXTENZA for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, DEXTENZA for the treatment of dry eye disease and OTX-TP for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, the ongoing development of the Company’s sustained release intravitreal depot, the potential utility of any of the Company’s product candidates, potential commercialization of the Company’s product candidates, the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources, and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend", "goal," "may", "might," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those related to the timing and costs involved in commercializing ReSure® Sealant or any product candidate that receives regulatory approval, the initiation and conduct of clinical trials, availability of data from clinical trials and expectations for regulatory submissions and approvals, the Company’s manufacturing operations, the Company’s scientific approach and general development progress, the availability or commercial potential of the Company’s product candidates, the availability of cash resources and need for additional financing or other actions and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in the Company’s quarterly and annual reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this release. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release.