CEO Update – June 2025

June 4, 2025

A message from Bernie Iliakis, President & CEO of CorneaGen

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the commercial availability for Corneal Tissue Addition for Keratoplasty (CTAK), I’m both proud and deeply grateful for the remarkable progress we’ve made together. CTAK is helping surgeons transcend the traditional standards of care in treating keratoconus, and our momentum continues to build. To date, approximately 700 successful CTAK procedures have been performed by scores of enthusiastic surgeons across the country. 

The enthusiasm for CTAK was on full display at the recent ASCRS Annual Meeting. We were honored to train more than 100 ophthalmologists in just two days – one of our highest training numbers yet – and we also engaged with countless surgeons who were eager to learn more. Our CTAK Breakfast Symposium, held in partnership with OCULUS, (creator of the Pentacam^®), drew one of the largest morning crowds of the conference and featured an outstanding panel of experts, including Drs. Greenstein, Ayres, and Thenappan.  

In addition to CTAK, we’re proud to support research and innovation that improves patient outcomes. At ASCRS, Dr. Nicole Fram presented her abstract co-written by Dr. Matt Geigengack, which highlighted compelling data on how Amphotericin B significantly reduces the risk of fungal infection by 10x following corneal transplant with no significant increase in graft failure in over 37,000 cases. As the first eye bank to make Ampho B available to surgeons, CorneaGen remains committed to pioneering innovative, evidence-based solutions. 

CTAK: Reflecting on the Journey, Looking Ahead 

Following a year of clinical success and surgeon enthusiasm, it’s important to reflect on the roots of CTAK – and where we’re headed next. In a recent conversation with CTAK co-founder Dr. Peter Hersh, we explored the decade-long development process that began in 2015, previous to and differentiated from the CAIRS procedure.  I invite you to listen to our discussion, which highlights the passion, perseverance, and partnership behind this transformative innovation. 

Looking ahead, we are excited to expand CTAK’s global footprint. In the coming weeks, Dr. Clara Chan of TLC in Toronto will perform the first CTAK procedure outside the United States. Then on June 13, Dr. Steven Greenstein will live stream a CTAK surgery at the S.I.C.S.S.O. Congress in Italy, further supporting international surgeon education and eventual adoption. With nearly 20% of ASCRS wet lab participants practicing outside the U.S., we see tremendous opportunity for continued global growth. 

Philanthropy, Partnerships, and the Next Generation

At CorneaGen, we are steadfast in our mission to transform the lives of those affected by corneal disease. As such, we were honored to once again sponsor the Holland Foundation’s Eye Love Rock N’ Roll Concert, which raised significant funds to support greater access to advanced corneal care.  

We also remain deeply committed to supporting the next generation of leaders in ophthalmology. Our partnership at ASCRS to host Skills Transfer Labs with Young Eye Surgeons (YES) reflects our belief in their extraordinary potential. These rising clinicians are stepping into a complex healthcare landscape with grit and determination to do better for their patients. We look forward to continuing to strengthen relationships with the future of the industry. 

Operational Growth to Support Rising Demand

As of 2025, we are pleased to share that our new lab in the Bay Area (CA) is now operational, which effectively doubled our space in the region. Additionally, we will start our build out in Orlando (FL) this summer, which we expect to be fully operational by the end of year. These expansions will help us meet the growing demand for DMEK and DSAEK tissue processing, which are collectively performing well above forecasted in 2025 – a testament to our high-quality tissue and services we provide to our surgeons and their patients.  

Thank you for your continued trust and support. As we move into the second half of 2025, we remain energized and optimistic about the road ahead. Together, we’re advancing the next generation of corneal and glaucoma care – and delivering the life-changing gift of sight to tens of thousands around the world.