Allergan veteran joins Kala as head of business development

Charles McDermott, who has spent the last eight years at Allergan, has joined serious disease specialist Kala Pharmaceuticals as executive VP, business development.

McDermott was most recently VP, business development at Botox developers Allergan, and during his time at the company he completed several transaction and partnership agreements involving such products as eye inflammation treatments Acular and Acuvail, as well as Latisse to support the growth of eyelashes.

Prior to joining Allergan, McDermott spent several years at deCODE Genetics in several buinsess development positions.

He also has research experience, serving as a research scientist at Agouron Pharmaceuticals.

Kala will benefit from McDermott's experience in eye conditions as the company looks to advance its lead ophthalmic candidates towards clinical studies.

“We are rapidly gaining momentum within the ophthalmic industry and Charlie shares our vision to make a difference in the lives of patients suffering from ocular diseases,” said Dr Guillaume Pfefer, CEO of Kala.

“Based on his experience at Allergan, he fully appreciates the potential of Kala's mucosal penetrating product technology to transform clinical practice and to enable effective local treatments for serious diseases,” he added.