Could you each give an overview of your backgrounds and how you founded and joined SpyGlass Pharma?
Malik: I am a glaucoma and cataract surgeon at the University of Colorado, where I serve as professor and Vice Chair of Translational Research. My journey started in nursing, which led to medical school, then residency in Colorado, and a fellowship in Pittsburgh where I learned the translational process of taking an idea from bench to bedside. Returning to Colorado, I established our glaucoma service and a medical device innovations lab, which fostered partnerships with emerging companies. Our device lab has led to the commercialization of several medical devices and, eventually, to the creation of SpyGlass Pharma through our innovation incubator.
Patrick: My background is in commercialization. I began my career in financial services before joining Alcon in 1999. There, I focused on glaucoma therapy and saw the potential to improve adherence to treatment. Over 25 years in ophthalmology, I held roles in sales, marketing, and international business, gaining expertise in product launches and market access. At SpyGlass, our leadership team brings decades of experience in ophthalmology, allowing us to bridge innovation from clinic to commercialization effectively.
What makes the SpyGlass Pharma Drug Delivery Platform a world-first for glaucoma treatment?
Malik: Cataract surgery is the most common outpatient procedure in the U.S., with around five million performed each year. Some 20% of those patients also have glaucoma. Historically, these patients relied on distinct surgical approaches for cataracts and glaucoma, resulting in inefficiencies and missed opportunities to seamlessly intervene in the disease process. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries addressed this to an extent, but only a third of cataract surgeons adopted the necessary skill set. Our platform bridges this gap by integrating a drug delivery system at the time of implanting an intraocular lens, allowing all cataract surgeons to treat glaucoma at the time of cataract surgery.
Patrick: This innovation ensures 100% adherence to therapy. By removing the need for daily eye drops, we address the longstanding problem of poor compliance. Studies show that over 75% of glaucoma patients do not use drops as prescribed. Many struggle with the physical act of administering drops or experience side effects like burning and blurred vision. With our system, adherence becomes automatic—once implanted, it delivers effective medication consistently for three years, significantly reducing intraocular pressure and freeing patients from the burden of topical therapies. It is a breakthrough in both patient care and surgical practice.
How would you evaluate the time-to-market for this innovation?
Patrick: One advantage is that we are using a well-understood drug, bimatoprost, which has been in use commercially for over 20 years. The FDA endpoints for glaucoma therapies like bimatoprost—efficacy at three months and safety at 12 months—allow us to progress quickly from Phase II to registrational trials. We are on track to initiate Phase III trials in 2025 and anticipate moving efficiently toward commercialization.
Malik: The efficiency of SpyGlass’ platform stems from our strategic approach. While the development process took three years of iteration, we have built a robust foundation with our Phase I/II trials and are seeing promising results. By leveraging an existing, proven drug, we have minimized the risks typically associated with novel pharmaceuticals, accelerating our pathway to market while maintaining rigorous safety and efficacy standards.
What are the advantages of Southern California as a base for SpyGlass’ operations?
Patrick: Southern California is a hub for ophthalmology innovation. Many companies have a strong presence here, providing access to talent and expertise in both scientific and commercial aspects. It is a vibrant ecosystem where unmet medical needs and commercial opportunities converge. For SpyGlass, this environment has fueled our growth—our team has doubled in size over the past year, supported by the region's rich pool of professionals.
Malik: Beyond access to talent, being part of this community keeps us connected to a network of like-minded innovators. Southern California offers a collaborative atmosphere where we can tap into decades of expertise, share ideas, and build a team that understands the nuances of ophthalmic innovation. This synergy has been instrumental in advancing our drug delivery platform and driving our mission forward.
What do you see as the key support systems driving innovation in ophthalmology?
Patrick: From a commercial perspective, awareness is crucial. Surgeons recognize the unmet needs in glaucoma treatment and quickly see the value in our solution. This resonates with investors as well, who appreciate the market potential and our clear path to addressing longstanding challenges. Strong investor support has enabled us to scale effectively and continue advancing our pipeline.
Malik: On the research side, innovation thrives where collaboration is encouraged, and we have benefited from a culture that fosters creativity and resource-sharing. SpyGlass started at the University of Colorado, which has a second-to-none innovation ecosystem supported by leadership at all levels. Eventually, we spun out to Southern California, leveraging the network we built through previous companies to move from concept to a functioning device.
The industry is definitely close-knit, which can be both a strength and a weakness. The key is balancing familiarity with fresh ideas - that is what will drive our next big breakthroughs. Our clinical team is a perfect example: it includes both longtime collaborators and people working with us for the first time. This blend of experience and new talent is making us stronger and more innovative.
Looking ahead, what are SpyGlass’ key objectives and aspirations?
Patrick: Our immediate goal is to complete our Phase II trial and initiate large-scale Phase III registrational trials in 2025. These trials will be pivotal in bringing our lead asset to market. Beyond glaucoma, we see our platform as a versatile tool for addressing other chronic eye conditions, including retinal diseases. Expanding our pipeline to serve these unmet needs is a priority.
Malik: Innovation at SpyGlass is as much about the journey as the destination. We have built a team that shares a deep commitment to improving patient care, and we are constantly learning from one another. Looking forward, we aim to leverage our platform to redefine treatment paradigms in ophthalmology, creating solutions that not only meet clinical needs but also enhance the human experience of care.
