Opthea (OPT) Named Dr. Julia Haller and Ms. Judith Robertson to Board

Opthea Limited (Nasdaq: OPT) announces the appointments of Dr. Julia Haller and Ms. Judith Robertson as independent Non-Executive Directors to its Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2021. Dr. Haller is an internationally recognized ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon, currently serving as Ophthalmologist-in-Chief and William Tasman, MD Endowed Chair at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Ms. Robertson is an accomplished life sciences commercial executive with an extensive track record for building, leading and launching several commercial organizations and products including successfully launching multiple ophthalmic products for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Haller and Ms. Robertson to the Opthea Board of Directors. Both are recognized leaders in their respective fields. Their extensive expertise and advice will be instrumental as we progress OPT-302 through its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials with top-line data on track for 2023 and, if successful, through commercialization,” commented Dr. Jeremy Levin, Opthea’s Chairman of the Board. “Building the Board has been an important milestone in our journey to potentially bring a unique medicine to address the unmet needs of those with retinal diseases.”

Dr. Julia Haller, Ophthalmologist-in-Chief and William Tasman, MD Endowed Chair at Wills Eye Hospital, serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and is a recognized authority in therapies to treat and prevent blindness, having published over 350 scientific articles and book chapters. She is also on the Board of Directors of Bristol Myers Squibb and President of the John Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association. Dr. Haller previously served on the Board of Celgene Corporation (acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb). In addition to serving on numerous boards, Dr. Haller serves as chair of the American Ophthalmological Society’s Council, vice chair of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and chair of the Society of Heed Fellows. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and president of the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation.

Dr. Haller received her Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, graduating magna cum laude, and completed her medical training at Harvard Medical School. Her previous appointments include Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, The Wilmer Eye Institute.

Ms. Judith Robertson, most recently Chief Commercial Officer of Eleusis Ltd, was previously Chief Commercial Officer of Aerie Pharmaceuticals, where she oversaw the launch of Rhopressa®, the first product targeting a new mechanism of action for the treatment of glaucoma in 20 years, and the launch of the combination product Rocklatan®. Prior to Aerie, Ms. Robertson was Global Commercial Vice President Immunology and Ophthalmology at Johnson and Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Global Vice President Ophthalmology at Novartis (formerly Alcon). Her prior experience also includes several senior executive commercial roles at Novartis, Searle and Bristol Myers Squibb including President and General Manager of Bristol Myers Squibb Canada. In addition to Opthea, Ms. Robertson serves on the Board of Durect Corporation, a Nasdaq listed company developing therapies for acute organ injury and chronic liver diseases.

Ms. Robertson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree from Ryerson University in Canada and an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.

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