GenSight Biologics, a biopharma company that discovers and develops innovative gene therapies for neurodegenerative retinal diseases and diseases of the central nervous system, announced it has appointed Mohamed Genead, M.D., as chief medical officer. Dr. Genead brings more than 15 years of experience to the role, including his most recent role as vice president & global therapeutic area head for Ophthalmology/Retina Gene Therapy at Biogen.

In this new position, Dr. Genead’s responsibilities will include setting strategy for and execution of global clinical development programs, management of the company’s medical affairs, clinical operations and biostatistics departments. He will be part of the executive committee and will report directly to Bernard Gilly, Ph.D., chief executive officer of GenSight. Dr. Genead will be based on the East Coast of the U.S.

“Dr. Genead brings a wealth of gene therapy and retina expertise to the GenSight Biologics team,” said Dr. Gilly. “We look forward to his contributions as we complete our two ongoing pivotal phase III trials of GS010 for Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy and prepare to initiate clinical development of GS030 for retinitis pigmentosa. His leadership in the field of ophthalmic drug development will be instrumental as we continue to progress our innovative pipeline of therapies to address sight-threatening diseases.”

As vice president & global therapeutic area head for Ophthalmology/Retina Gene Therapy at Biogen, Dr. Genead served as the strategic R&D partner for the business unit and was responsible for the growth of the therapeutic portfolio. In this role, he was part of the teams responsible for developing Biogen’s overall R&D strategy as a member of the Clinical Development Leadership Team and an extended member of the Pipeline Committee.

Prior to Biogen, Dr. Genead served eight years at Allergan as the executive medical director, Global Clinical Development for the Ophthalmology/Retina Therapeutic Area. Before this, he was the vice president & global head of Clinical Development at Allegro.

Dr. Genead is a board member of several ophthalmic organizations, and he has authored numerous peer-reviewed papers across his career.

“I’m pleased to be joining the accomplished GenSight Biologics team at this exciting stage of strategic development,” said Dr. Genead. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work on the development of therapies at a company as dedicated as I am to ophthalmology and the treatment of severe neurodegenerative and retinal conditions.”