Thomas Ciulla

Thomas Ciulla, appointed as Chief Medical Officer in January 2024, has a distinguished career in the medical field, especially in ophthalmology. Before his current role, he served as Chief Development Officer at Viridian since 2023 and held dual roles as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Development Officer at Clearside Bio. At Clearside Bio, he was instrumental in guiding preclinical and clinical development, leading to the first FDA approval of a suprachoroidal therapy. He also led an IND submission and the development of a new clinical program that achieved a successful Phase 1/2 trial. Additionally, he oversaw medical and professional affairs at Clearside Bio. At Spark Therapeutics, he defined and led the medical strategy for the development and commercialization of the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a genetic disease. His previous roles include serving as VP of Clinical Strategy at Ophthotech Corporation and co-directing the retina service and ocular angiogenesis research lab at Indiana University School of Medicine, where he remains a volunteer Clinical Professor. A Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists and a member of several prestigious medical societies, Ciulla has played a significant role in over 100 national clinical trials. He has also contributed to the medical community as an editor for several textbooks, a speaker at over 200 conferences, and an author of more than 300 publications. Ciulla’s academic credentials include degrees from Harvard College, UCSF School of Medicine, and an M.B.A. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, specializing in the business of medicine.