Harrow Appoints Amir H. Shojaei as Chief Scientific Officer

Harrow, a leading North American eyecare pharmaceutical company, has announced the appointment of Amir H. Shojaei, PharmD, PhD, as its new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). With a distinguished 28-year career in life sciences, Dr. Shojaei brings extensive expertise in clinical development, regulatory affairs, and the commercialization of biopharmaceutical and biologic products, especially in the ophthalmic field.

Dr. Shojaei most recently served as CSO and Executive Vice President of Clinical Development at AsclepiX Therapeutics, where he led the development of innovative therapies targeting neovascular retinal disorders. Prior to that, he held senior executive roles in various leading pharmaceutical companies, including as CEO of TherOptix Corporation, where he advanced a novel drug-eluting contact lens platform. Dr. Shojaei has also served in key leadership roles at Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Shire Pharmaceuticals (now part of Takeda), where he made significant contributions to clinical development.

One of his most notable achievements came in 2013 while at Shire Pharmaceuticals, where he played a crucial role in the clinical development and eventual FDA approval of Xiidr, the first product to treat both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). This groundbreaking accomplishment revolutionized the treatment of DED and solidified Dr. Shojaei's reputation as a leader in ophthalmology. His work also paved the way for next-generation DED products like VEVYE, which was launched by Harrow last year.

Mark L. Baum, CEO of Harrow, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Shojaei's appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Shojaei to Harrow. His exceptional scientific acumen, regulatory expertise, and proven track record in driving commercial innovation in eyecare align perfectly with our mission to make eyecare solutions accessible and affordable. We are confident that, under his leadership, Harrow will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in preserving and enhancing the gift of sight”.

Dr. Shojaei holds a PharmD and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of the Pacific. He is a prolific innovator with multiple patents and over 25 peer-reviewed publications to his name. His deep experience spans both the anterior and posterior segments of ophthalmology and various other therapeutic areas. His background positions him well to lead Harrow through its next phase of growth and innovation.

Dr. Shojaei succeeds Dennis E. Saadeh, PharmD, who is retiring after nearly a decade of service as CSO at Harrow. Under Dr. Saadeh’s leadership, Harrow achieved significant milestones, including the development of market-leading compounded products that have become trusted, sight-saving treatments relied upon by thousands of eyecare professionals and millions of Americans. CEO Mark L. Baum honored Dr. Saadeh’s legacy, stating, “Dennis has been a driving force behind our success. His unwavering dedication and leadership have helped establish the scientific excellence that defines Harrow. While we are excited for Dennis to pursue new opportunities, we are grateful for the immense impact he’s had on the ophthalmic community”.