CEO Update – September 2025

September 8, 2025

As we transition into fall after a fast-paced summer, CorneaGen’s momentum is only accelerating, especially with the progress we’re making with Cornea Tissue Addition Keratoplasty (CTAK). This innovative procedure continues to gain recognition from surgeons, patients and the media, and I’m proud to share several exciting milestones: 

• 1,000 CTAK procedures: In a few weeks, we will cross this important threshold less than 18 months after launch, reflecting both rapid surgeon adoption and strong patient outcomes.
• Growing surgeon adoption: We’re about to surpass 100 trained surgeons performing CTAK, with many inquiries still coming in.
• Expanded compatibility: As announced in July, CTAK is now fully compatible with Ziemer USA Inc.’s GALILEI Diagnostic Platform and FEMTO LDV Z8 Femtosecond Laser Platform, broadening access for surgeons worldwide. 
• International growth: CTAK procedures are expanding outside the U.S., beginning in Saudi Arabia, Canada and Japan with more countries on the horizon. If you’re attending ESCRS 2025, visit us at booth #B5-621 to see how CTAK can become part of your practice.
• COMING SOON – Online user group: In response to surgeon demand, we will launch the first CTAK user group at AAO, giving surgeons a dedicated online forum to connect, share experiences and exchange case management tips.  

If you haven’t yet taken the leap, our team is poised and ready to help you get started with CTAK today. 

Continuing to Deliver High-Quality, Safe Transplant Tissue 

As for our transplant tissue side of the organization, we recently had a fantastic conversation with Nicole Fram, M.D. discussing her clinical research with Matt Giegengack, M.D. on the safety and efficacy of supplementation of corneal storage media with Amphotericin B. CorneaGen was proud to lead the charge back in 2018 as the first U.S. eye bank to offer Amphotericin B as an additive to corneal storage media.  

We did it with one goal in mind: patient safety. As Dr. Fram says, “The most dreaded complication of any corneal transplantation…is a fungal infection.”  If you’re interested in learning more, Dr. Fram will be presenting their research at the Cornea and Eye Banking Forum on October 17, just before AAO.  

We’re also excited to share that our new Orlando eye bank facility is now operational. With double the capacity, we can better meet growing global demand and continue setting the standard for corneal recovery and DSAEK/DMEK processing quality in the U.S. and abroad. 

CTAK Capturing Media Attention 

Our work has recently been highlighted by several leading outlets, including Media Mice, IDocSocial and coverage of our expanded partnership with Ziemer USA Inc. Take a peek: 

• Media Mice Feature – highlighting CTAK as a new era in keratoconus treatment 

• IDocSocial Interview – sharing insights on innovation and patient impact 

• Ziemer USA Inc. Partnership – focusing on expanding CTAK access 

• Ophthalmology Management 

• Eyes On Eyecare 

• Optometry Times 

Reflecting on What Drives Us 

At CorneaGen, we end every staff meeting by reading letters or stories from donor families and recipients as a reminder of why we do this work: to make a lasting impact on our communities, neighbors, families and friends. 

One such story came from Lisa, who shared: “I go outside every night to look at the stars and marvel at their beauty. I am so much more aware of the importance of sight and not taking it for granted. I give thanks every day for the donation that changed my life and enabled me to continue doing the things I love.” 

Her words remind us that every innovation, every partnership and every procedure comes down to this: the gift of sight. To our partners, surgeons and teams – thank you for helping donor families find hope in their healing and recipients see the world through new eyes. 

Onward, together!