Karl Kieburtz Assumes Chief Medical Officer Role at PhotoPharmics

PhotoPharmics has appointed Karl Kieburtz, M.D., MPH, as chief medical officer (CMO). In his role as CMO, Kieburtz will oversee the company’s clinical strategy and activities, including direct supervision of scientific development, clinical operations, data science, and interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 
Kieburtz has extensive experience executing clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease programs across all stages of development. Kieburtz is currently president of Clintrex Research Corporation, a leading clinical research organization that facilitates the clinical and regulatory aspects of drug and device development for biotech and pharma organizations. Kieburtz’s role as CMO is part of an ongoing collaboration between PhotoPharmics and Clintrex. He also continues as professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester, where he was founding director of the Center for Health & Technology (CHeT).
 
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Kieburtz to lead our clinical development,” said Kent Savage, president and CEO of PhotoPharmics. “He has an extensive track record in Parkinson’s disease and is a proven leader in central nervous system disorders. His insight and expertise will be invaluable to PhotoPharmics as we advance development of our therapies in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.”
 
In addition to his work at the University of Rochester and Clintrex Research Corporation, Kieburtz was the initial Robert J. Joynt Professor in Neurology and served as the senior associate dean for Clinical Research and director of the Clinical & Translational Science Institute in Rochester. His primary research interest is novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. He led the NINDS sponsored trials of neuroprotective agents for PD (NET-PD), served as the chair of the Executive Committee of the Parkinson Study Group, and directed the Clinical Core for the Fox Foundation sponsored Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative. He previously served on and chaired the FDA Advisory Committee on Peripheral and Central Nervous System Disorders. In 2009, he was one of the co-founders of Clintrex Research Corporation, which has collaborated with over 150 organizations in developing products for brain and neurological disorders.

Kieburtz earned his bachelor of arts degree in neuroscience from Amherst College and completed his medical and MPH degrees at the University of Rochester as well as his neurology training and fellowship in experimental therapeutics.

“I am excited to join PhotoPharmics, an emerging leader in non-invasive light therapy for neurodegenerative diseases,” said Kieburtz. “PhotoPharmics and Clintrex have been collaborating for several years on a developing a clinical and regulatory strategy for a therapeutic light to treat the motor and non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease. I am pleased to move to the next phase of clinical development with PhotoPharmics, taking on the role of CMO and helping to guide the company through a final pivotal study and towards commercialization. The product has great promise, given the results to date, its simple non-invasive approach, and its ability to be used along with all available PD therapies.”
 
PhotoPharmics is a privately held, clinical-stage medical device company developing next-generation treatments for treating neurodegenerative disorders through the eyes. Company founders have 30-plus years of research and experience in this field. They previously developed specialized light solutions now widely used to regulate circadian rhythms in seasonal affective disorder, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression (acquired by Philips-Respironics in 2007). Drawing from research and recent trials, PhotoPharmics is developing applications of specialized light across several neurodegenerative diseases. The company aims to make a clinically meaningful difference in patients’ lives by delivering safe and effective non-invasive treatments.