CEO Update – June 2025

May 28, 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. 

CorneaGen Launches CTAK, an Innovation for Improved Patient Outcomes

June 6, 2024

CorneaGen Launches CTAK, an Innovation for Improved Patient Outcomes

Advanced treatment for keratoconus saves time in operating room and makes the most of corneal donations

SEATTLE (June 03, 2024) – CorneaGen today announces the commercial launch of Corneal Tissue Addition for Keratoplasty (CTAK), an innovative and extremely effective solution to corneal contouring for keratoconic eyes.

Developed by CorneaGen in partnership with CTAK LLC and Ziemer, CTAK provides patient ready, gamma-irradiated sterile, non-immunogenic corneal tissue segments, laser cut and customized to patients’ specific cone severity and location.

“We’re so excited to launch CTAK and look forward to wide market adoption transforming the lives of those affected by keratoconus,” said Bernie Iliakis, President and CEO of CorneaGen. “We have a long history as innovators and tissue processing leaders. CTAK represents a true treatment advancement, while honoring and maximizing the gift of corneal donation.”

CorneaGen is committed to transforming the lives of every person impacted by corneal disease through its ongoing focus on product innovation.
“Following a CTAK procedure, patients can experience a ‘wow’ effect with their vision,” said Dr. William Wiley, Medical Director, Cleveland Eye Clinic Division of Midwest Vision Partners. “We have seen immediate impressive improvements in best corrected and uncorrected vision. This immediate improvement at the first follow-up is an exciting experience for those dealing with Keratoconus.”

The world’s leading provider of ocular tissue, CorneaGen works with ophthalmic industry partners to accomplish its mission. CTAK co-inventors include Drs. Peter Hersh, Steven Greenstein, and John Gelles.

“The opportunity to advance the development of such an exciting keratoconus treatment by working with truly innovative and collaborative partners, CorneaGen and Ziemer, has been transformative,” said Dr. Peter S. Hersh, Founder of the Cornea and Laser Eye Institute Center for Keratoconus, Clinical Professor at Rutgers-NJ Medical School, CTAK originator and Co-Founder of CTAK LLC. “We’re able to improve patient vision, reducing the recovery time and risk compared to a corneal transplant.”

In addition to product and tissue processing innovations, CorneaGen is an industry leader in patient advocacy, helping tens of thousands of patients every year. CorneaGen provided more than 32,500 sight-restoring grafts in 2023 and has partnerships with over 25 eye/organ/tissue banks to serve U.S. corneal transplant needs, as well in nearly 50 countries worldwide.

About CorneaGen
CorneaGen’s mission is to provide the highest quality donor tissue, unparalleled customer service and superior products that transform how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease. Through continuous innovations in tissue processing technology and surgical devices, advocacy for patient access and simplified payor reimbursement policies, CorneaGen is advancing the next generation of cornea care.  As the world’s leading provider of ocular tissue, CorneaGen has multiple locations and local partnerships throughout the U.S. to deliver the life-changing gift of sight to tens of thousands of people each year. Read more at https://corneagen.com/.

 Media Contact

Erika Novak
erikanovakconsulting@outlook.com

CorneaGen Expands Eye Recovery Services to California

January 10, 2024

CorneaGen to assume eye recovery services for multiple hospitals in northern and southern California.

Seattle, WA – Jan 10, 2024 – Seattle-based CorneaGen is excited to announce an expansion of their eye recovery services throughout northern and southern California.

Through this expansion of service, CorneaGen will now provide both eye recovery and processing services of donor tissue for facilities throughout the state, resulting in an even better experience for the patients, families, and staff of their California partner facilities.

“It’s a great honor to broaden CorneaGen’s recovery responsibilities to California, augmenting our vast processing activities in the state” said Bernie Iliakis, President and CEO of CorneaGen. “Our leadership and staff have deep eye recovery experience, having provided this offering on a very large scale to multiple regions. In fact, we launched eye recovery services to this hospital group in 2009, so it comes full circle.”

With a mission to provide the highest quality donor tissue and products that transform how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease, CorneaGen accomplishes this work through its donation and ophthalmic industry partnerships.  This expansion will increase collaboration with the esteemed California-based organ procurement organizations of Donor Network West, One Legacy, and Sierra Donor Services as well as eye bank partner Lions World Vision Institute.

“Eye recovery services had been provided by SightLife in this region for many years, but after Lions World Vision Institute acquired SightLife in 2022, we determined that this region could be better supported by CorneaGen allowing us to focus our resources in other regions around the country. We are pleased to collaborate with CorneaGen to transition this region to them” said Jason Woody, President and CEO of Lions World Vision Institute.

The world’s leading provider of ocular tissue, CorneaGen’s multiple locations and local relationships are key to helping patients throughout the U.S. and the world. The expansion of recovery services to California continues the company’s commitment to donors and their families, while driving innovation and strengthening their position as market leader.

About CorneaGen
CorneaGen’s mission is to provide the highest quality donor tissue, unparalleled customer service and superior products that transform how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease. Through continuous innovations in tissue processing technology and surgical devices, advocacy for patient access and simplified payor reimbursement policies, CorneaGen is advancing the next generation of cornea care.  As the world’s leading provider of ocular tissue, CorneaGen has multiple locations and local partnerships throughout the U.S. to deliver the life-changing gift of sight to tens of thousands of people each year. Read more at https://corneagen.com/

Media contacts
Jared Young, CorneaGen VP Marketing and Communications
jared.young@corneagen.com
619-518-0734

Julie Fogerson, Fearey Group
jfogerson@feareygroup.com
425-503-3154

CorneaGen Advances Next Generation of DSEK Surgery Innovation

April 28, 2022

New FDA approved, pre-loaded cornea graft insertion device maximizes efficiency to save precious time in the O.R.

SEATTLE (Apr. 22, 2022) – CorneaGen, innovating how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease, today announces the release of the EndoSerter^®-PL. This new and exclusive FDA approved, single-use graft insertion device is pre-loaded with expertly processed tissue to help streamline DSEK surgeries.

“We’re incredibly excited to deliver the EndoSerter^®-PL, our latest innovation in advancing the next generation of cornea care” said Bernie Iliakis, President of CorneaGen. “We strive every day to better serve surgeons, patients, donor families, and industry partners through constant innovation in tissue processing technology and surgical devices.”

“Efficacy and safety are critical for surgery” said Dr. Edward Holland, Director of Cornea Services at Cincinnati Eye Institute. “With the tissue pre-loaded, surgery is significantly faster and there is less risk to mishandling of the graft. Experienced DSEK surgeons who used the original EndoSerter^® insertion device are going to appreciate the benefits if the EndoSerter^®-PL.”

The EndoSerter^®-PL will be showcased in booth #944 at ASCRS 2022, from Apr. 22-26. Notable product demonstrations will be performed by Edward Holland, M.D., on Apr. 23, at 1:00 p.m., and John Berdahl, M.D., on Apr. 24, at 10:00 a.m.

In addition to evolving tissue processing and products, CorneaGen works as an advocate for patients. Through efforts to simplify payor reimbursement and its many industry relationships, CorneaGen serves as partner in helping all those impacted by corneal disease.

CorneaGen remains committed to transforming lives, helping deliver the gift of sight to tens of thousands of people in the U.S. every year.

About CorneaGen
CorneaGen’s mission is to provide the highest quality donor tissue, unparalleled customer service and superior products that transform how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease. Through continuous innovations in tissue processing technology and surgical devices, advocacy for patient access and simplified payor reimbursement policies, CorneaGen is advancing the next generation of cornea care. As the world’s leading eye bank, CorneaGen has multiple locations and local partnerships throughout the U.S. to deliver the life-changing gift of sight to tens of thousands of people each year. Read more at https://corneagen.com/.

Media Inquiries for CorneaGen
Julie Fogerson, Fearey
jfogerson@feareygroup.com
425-503-3154

We Support Black Lives Matter

June 8, 2020

We bore witness to the horrifying images of brutality, systemic racism and the disturbing discrimination and oppression of the Black community. We bore witness to stirring and inspiring images of people across the globe raising their voices demanding that actions finally be taken to end injustice. We listened to words of condemnation and words of support. But words are not enough. We need to act and take meaningful steps toward change.

At CorneaGen we are dedicated to our mission of eliminating corneal blindness worldwide. Not just for economically or racially privileged communities, but for everyone around the globe, regardless of skin color or race. This mission drives all that we do.

We believe BLACK LIVES MATTER. To make a measurable impact within our own industry, we’re committing $100,000 annually to ensure that members of the Black community in the United States are not deprived of a sight restoring cornea transplant due to finances. We make this offer to every surgeon in the US regardless of geography or relationship with CorneaGen and invite other providers of transplant tissue to join us. Together we can impact this one area and ensure that race is not a limiting factor to receiving corneal care.

Additionally, to make sure that the next generation can break through, we are committing $20,000 per year to create paid internships at CorneaGen for trainees wishing to learn the skills and gain the experience needed to become lab technicians, quality control coordinators and operations professionals. Our goal is to recruit young professionals of color to these roles.

Our core values of responsibility and integrity demand that we act. We are searching for additional areas in-line with our mission of eliminating corneal blindness where we can be a meaningful part of bringing social justice to all communities of color. We will invite others to join us as we identify and understand where we as an organization best fit in this nationwide change.