Aniz Girach

Chief Medical Officer, ProQR Therapeutics
Aniz Girach, qualified as an Ophthalmologist (specialty in Retina), and worked in Cambridge (UK). 

After having spent 11 years in the NHS, he joined the pharmaceutical industry with Eli Lilly, focusing on retinal diseases. He has in total 22 years industry experience in roles with Merck (as their Global Head of Ophthalmology) and Alcon, where he was Vice President of Clinical Development, and ThromboGenics, where he was the Global Head of Ophthalmology/Chief Medical Officer overseeing the development and approval of Ocriplasmin (Jetrea)—a first in class biologic therapy for retinal disease. In his role as Chief Medical Officer at Nightstar Therapeutics, he oversaw the development of their gene therapy programmes for inherited retinal diseases. In addition to being an Honorary Professor at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA, he is currently the Chief Medical Officer at ProQR Therapeutics, leading the development of RNA therapeutics for inherited retinal diseases.

He is a member of 3 Scientific Advisory Boards for international ophthalmic organizations currently, and reviewer for 5 peer-reviewed journals, including Eye and IOVS. He has edited 4 books and published over 100 abstracts/manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals in Ophthalmology, with numerous invited lectures at national/international ophthalmology meetings.

His special interests are Medical Retina, Vitreomacular interface abnormalities and Gene/RNA therapy for inherited retinal diseases.