(30a) Translational Research: A Clinician-Scientist’s Journey

The quest to develop technology to help my patients led me to work with Polymer Scientists and Chemical Engineers over the last 20 years to develop several products that are in various stages of development (FDA IND application to Concept development). While it was relatively easy for us to design and develop the lab version of the products, we found it very hard to understand the FDA requirements to manufacture the products. Along the way, we did animal studies, developed the SOP, established a GMP facility to manufacture the product, defined storage, sterilization with gamma irradiation technique, Bioburden studies to establish sterility and stability testing. The presentation will focus on walking the audience through the many stages of Translational Research and the potential pitfalls.

Author Biography: Dr. Ramesh Ayyala, MD, FRCS, FRCOphth is Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology and James P. and Heather Gills Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. At Tulane University, Dr. Ayyala was a tenured professor of Ophthalmology, director of the glaucoma service, and has served as both ophthalmology residency director and director of the glaucoma/anterior segment fellowship program. He graduated from Gandhi Medical College, Osmania University in Hyderabad and completed residency training in ophthalmology at Mersey Region Hospitals, United Kingdom (UK), and at USF, Tampa, FL. He completed a fellowship in glaucoma surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and another in cornea and external diseases at Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA. Dr. Ayyala is board certified in 3 continents (India, UK, and USA), fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmology (Lon) and the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh), and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He served as the past president of the Louisiana Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. He was recognized by the Academic Achievement Award (2013) and the Secretariat Award (2014) by the Board of Trustees, American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is listed among Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors in New Orleans, America’s Top Ophthalmologist and Castle Connolly Top Doctors.

Dr. Ayyala is dedicated to educating the next generation of ophthalmologists. The ACGME recognized his work by awarding him the Courage to Teach Parker J. Palmer award. His innovative teaching style is recognized by both the residents (Outstanding Mentor award by Tulane Ophthalmology), Tulane Medical students (AOA induction) and Tulane University (Tulane Medical School Teaching Scholar award) and more recently, Outstanding Mentor award by the USF Ophthalmology Residents. He’s created an online board review course and an online teaching tool called MediTred. His passion for education also lead to the establishment of Anand Eye Institute (AEI), a tertiary care Eye Hospital in Hyderabad, India.

Dr. Ayyala is a tireless crusader for providing access to quality care to the indigent population. He organized the Glaucoma Awareness Program, providing screenings in the African American Community Churches in the Greater New Orleans Area. Following Hurricane Katrina, he established an Eye Screening Program in Louisiana’s Plaquemines Parish where he conducted eye camps three times a year for 13 years. Through the Community Ophthalmology Outreach Program of Anand Eye Institute and the Savera Anand Foundation (based in Hyderabad, India), his organization conducted eye camps designed to screen under privileged populations. In 2015, Anand Eye Institute was recognized as the best eye hospital for its care of the indigent. He was recognized by the American Glaucoma Society with the Humanitarian Award in 2019.

In his role as President of the Louisiana Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, he was able to introduce and pass (Act 206 or Refill bill, 2016) that allows patients to obtain a supply of medications by the insurance companies at no extra cost to patients when they run out of drops before the end of the month.

Dr. Ayyala has pioneered translational research involving slow-release drug delivery systems resulting in biotechnology start-up companies (ElutiMed INC & ElutiSpray LLC) of which is President and CEO. His translational research has resulted in the development of ElutiGlass (a slow release antifibrotic drug delivery system with 5 Fluorouracil and Mitomycin C) for glaucoma surgery and ElutiSpray (a new pan antimicrobial agent). Both products are in various stages of testing to satisfy FDA guidelines. Apart from this, Dr. Ayyala’s team is involved with the development of an artificial cornea using the latest polymer technology and a Sensor based microchip to help monitor eye pressure.