The Catalyst Award was presented to Ramin Valian of Allergan, an AbbVie Company, in recognition of Allergan’s ongoing leadership and commitment to the development of innovative treatments to advance glaucoma care.
“For more than 20 years, Allergan has supported multiple educational and research initiatives in cooperation with Glaucoma Research Foundation,” Mr. Brunner said. “We are honored to recognize Ramin for his many contributions to ophthalmology that have led to improved glaucoma treatments and provided outstanding educational resources for people with glaucoma and their families,” he said.
“It is a privilege and honor to receive the Glaucoma Research Foundation’s highest honor, the Catalyst Award, following Allergan’s first receipt in 2006,” said Mr. Valian. “Allergan, an AbbVie Company is the first company to receive this honor for a second time, which is a significant accomplishment and speaks to our joint vision of preventing blindness and advancing glaucoma research and care.”
Jag Dosanjh, Sr. Vice President, Eye Care for Allergan, an AbbVie Company added: “I want to thank the Glaucoma Research Foundation for awarding my friend and colleague, Ramin Valian, with the Catalyst Award. Ramin has worked for almost two decades on advancing multiple innovations and treatments for glaucoma patients. This honor exemplifies our partnership and collaboration with GRF throughout the years, and embodies our mission at Allergan to help people preserve their vision through developing innovative products and providing educational resources,” he said.
Andrew Iwach, MD, Chair, Glaucoma Research Foundation and Executive Director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, noted that “Not only has Allergan been a great partner with GRF for many years, but as a company they have discovered, developed, and delivered many significant, innovative treatments for patients going back more than 70 years.”
Other honorees at the 2021 Virtual Annual Gala included Amy Dixon, USA Paratriathlon National Team Member and President, Glaucoma Eyes International, who received the Visionary Award for her outstanding dedication to improving the lives of patients with vision loss education, and the Farrell Family was presented with the 2021 President’s Award to honor their dedicated fundraising and glaucoma advocacy efforts.
The 2021 Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research was presented to Pete A. Williams, PhD, Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm, Sweden) in recognition of his exemplary research project “Targeting Neuronal Mitochondria for Neuroprotection in Glaucoma.” The Shaffer Prize is presented annually at the Gala to recognize an exceptional research project bringing innovative ideas to the quest to better understand glaucoma.
About Glaucoma 360
Glaucoma 360 is a series of annual events presented by Glaucoma Research Foundation to highlight the latest advances in glaucoma research and the development of novel therapies. Glaucoma 360 events for January 2021 were held on a virtual platform to allow for global participation and safety.
More information is available on our website and at www.glaucoma360.org.
Posted on January 15, 2021 / Reviewed September 28, 2021
