CCOI sets the stage for global ophthalmic innovation at Stanford Summit on July 23

On the eve of the CCOI-Stanford Summit, to be held July 23, 2025, at Stanford University, Joel S. Schuman, MD, President of the Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation (CCOI), outlined the mission and vision of the organization’s evolution and purpose. “The CCOI is the Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation,” Schuman explained, “and it was started several years ago…by Mark Blumenkranz.”

Originally focused on imaging, the group recently rebranded to reflect its broadened mission. “We changed our name… to drive innovation in ophthalmic medical products worldwide,” Schuman said. The CCOI has grown from 6 to 17 working groups, tackling areas from artificial intelligence and interoperability to disease-specific initiatives in glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular oncology. “These work groups are all led by world-class individuals,” he added, underscoring the global nature of the leadership.

The CCOI functions as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), bringing together a wide array of stakeholders across academia, industry, regulatory agencies, and patient advocacy groups. “The mission of the CCOI is to convene a cohesive but diverse group of key stakeholders… and advance innovation through consensus,” said Schuman. Leading the organization alongside him is Malvina Eydelman, MD, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and brings decades of regulatory expertise from her leadership role at the FDA.

One of its structural cornerstones is the stakeholder council, comprising over 80 members. “The council brings together diverse members… to identify and overcome key obstacles to ophthalmic medical product innovation.” This year’s summit represents a milestone in CCOI’s work to “enhance collaboration across the ophthalmic landscape.”

As Schuman noted, “We are very excited about what is happening at CCOI”—and the summit at Stanford promises to be a pivotal gathering in shaping the future of ophthalmic innovation.