OCTANe Hosts Industry Leaders for Ophthalmology Technology Summit

ALISO VIEJO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 13, 2016) - OCTANe today announced the agenda for their third Ophthalmology Technology Summit (OTS), which will be held June 21^st at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, Calif. 

Highlights of the event include a keynote featuring David Pyott, former CEO of Allergan, who will be interviewed by Jim Mazzo, CEO of AcuFocus.

Industry leaders, investors, early-stage companies, and physicians will comprise the more than 225 individuals in attendance to discuss groundbreaking technologies, unmet clinical needs and new business opportunities. OTS promises to provide innovative ideas for the ophthalmology industry in Orange County and abroad with panels focusing on:

• Emerging technologies affecting efficiency and patient outcomes
  • Moderated by Clay Wilemon, CEO & chief strategy officer, DevicePharm
• Research and consolidation in new practices
  • Moderated by Ehsan Sadri, M.D., FACS
• New technologies and the role of internal and external research and development
  • Moderated by Jim Mazzo, CEO & chairman, AcuFocus
• Investment opportunities in ophthalmology
  • Moderated by Chris Cooley, managing director, Stephens Inc.

"Orange County represents the global epicenter of innovation for new products and services in ophthalmology," said Bill Carpou, CEO of OCTANe. "This is the primary reason OCTANe launched our investment fund, Visionary Ventures, which invests exclusively in later-stage ophthalmic companies."

Added Carpou: "This has uniquely positioned OCTANe to provide early-stage financing and growth services through our LaunchPad accelerator and later-stage funding through Visionary Ventures."

Visionary has already made two investments following their initial close on April 25^th to ophthalmology companies -- both in the amount of $1 million. The recipients are Mynosys, a company based in Fremont, Calif. that has a device used to create a precise circular capsulotomy during cataract surgeries, and Iantech, a company based in Reno, Nevada that created a device (501 K approved) that removes the hard center of a cataract during surgery. Both companies will participate and present during OTS.

Each year, OTS continues to attract leaders who are changing the innovation landscape in ophthalmology. It's anticipated that next year's event will draw more than 400 experts, proving that this has become a cornerstone event in the ophthalmology industry.

About OCTANe

OCTANe drives technology industry growth and innovation in Orange County by connecting ideas and people with resources and capital. Its members represent nationally recognized technology executive leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, academicians, and strategic advisors, all working together to fuel innovation for the OC ecosystem. The organization has helped more than 800 companies via the LaunchPad™ SBDC accelerator. LaunchPad™-certified companies have received more than $1.1 billion in investment and equity exits. OCTANe annually welcomes more than 7,000 people to its programs and events. More than 2,000 business leaders throughout the Orange County region are OCTANe members. For more information, visit www.octaneoc.org.