Eyestem, a Bengaluru-based cell therapy startup, with a focus on ophthalmology, has appointed Ravi Achar as Head- North America Strategy and also engaged Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth as its US law firm.

Achar has significant experience in the US startup ecosystem having successfully established fund raising and partnership strategies for several biotech companies.

He was the Chief Executive Officer of Arnold A Semler Inc, a defense company based in Los Angeles, US. The company distributed and also did some manufacturing of ground communication equipment, accessories and ancillaries for the US and Global defense Industry.

Achar has co-founded Semler Research Centre (SRC), in 2006, as part of Arnold A Semler Inc, a leading pharmaceutical contract research organisation, which was based in Bengaluru.

He has a diverse entrepreneurial C level background in engineering, operations, business development, finance, strategic partnerships, international business.

Dr Jogin Desai, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Eyestem, said, “As we get closer to getting human data for Eyecyte-RPE, our lead product, we have been laying the groundwork for Eyestem’s global expansion through partnerships and strategic alliances. Achar has a distinguished track record executing global alliances and we are delighted to have him on board as an experienced industry veteran." 

Eyecyte-RPE, the company’s patented flagship product, is an experimental treatment for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD).