Neurotech Pharmaceuticals appoints Peter J. McDonnell, MD, to board of directors

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has appointed had Peter J. McDonnell, MD, to the Board of Directors.

McDonnell, along with being a long-time member of the Ophthalmology Times Editorial Advisory Board, is the one of our publication’s co-chief medical editors.

He has served as the William Holland Wilmer Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the largest ophthalmology department in the country, since 2003. A board-certified ophthalmologist and specialist in corneal disease and surgery, McDonnell is an international leader in corneal transplantation, laser refractive surgery and the treatment of dry eye. He has published over 250 scientific articles and holds 10 patents.¹

A member of many professional ophthalmology and medical societies, McDonnell has also served on the editorial boards beyond Ophthalmology Times, including of numerous ophthalmology journals. He also serves as the Immediate Past President and director of the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research and the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research and is Vice President of the Pan-American Ophthalmological Association, the second largest professional organization of ophthalmologists in the world. McDonnell has served on the boards of Allergan and Aerie Pharmaceuticals.¹

Jim Mazzo, Neurotech’s Executive Chairman, spoke to the company’s enthusiasm at having McDonnell join Neurotech in this capacity. In the press release¹, he is quoted as saying, “We are thrilled to welcome McDonnell to Neurotech’s Board of Directors. His exceptional leadership in ophthalmology and dedication to advancing vision science make him an ideal addition to our team. Peter’s guidance will be pivotal as we continue to advance innovative solutions for chronic eye diseases. His appointment reflects our commitment to scientific excellence and strategic growth.”

McDonnell is also quoted in the release¹, saying, “I am honored to join Neurotech’s Board at such an exciting time in the company’s evolution. Neurotech’s commitment to scientific excellence closely aligns with my lifelong dedication to improving patient outcomes. I look forward to working with the team as it advances meaningful treatments in ophthalmic care”

Earlier in 2025, Neurotech announced the first commercial manufacturing, shipment, and surgical procedure of the first and only FDA-approved treatment for adults with idiopathic Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel), ENCELTO (revakinagene taroretcel-lwey). Designed² to provide long-term, sustained delivery of therapeutic proteins for the treatment of chronic eye disease, ENCELTO is an encapsulated cell-based gene therapy that uses Neurotech’s ECT platform, which is surgically inserted. The ECT platform is made of small, semi-permeable capsules containing the proprietary allogeneic retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which are genetically engineered to produce specific therapeutic proteins for targeted disease treatment.²

References:

1. Neurotech Appoints Peter J. McDonnell, M.D., to the Company’s Board of Directors. Neurotech Pharmaceuticals. News Release. September 2, 2025. Accessed September 2, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250902208046/en/Neurotech-Appoints-Peter-J.-McDonnell-M.D.-to-the-Companys-Board-of-Directors

2. First FDA-Approved Treatment for MacTel Performed. August 11, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250811189087/en/First-FDA-Approved-Treatment-for-MacTel-Performed. Accessed August 12, 2025.