BEDFORD, Mass--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCUL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye, today announced the appointment of Andy Hurley to the newly created position of chief commercial officer, effective immediately. In this role, Mr. Hurley will be responsible for leading Ocular’s commercial organization, focusing on effective execution of potential future product launches, brand development, and ongoing commercialization strategies.

“Andy brings extensive commercial strategy and product launch expertise as well as a proven ability to develop and lead commercialization efforts globally,” said Amar Sawhney, Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Ocular Therapeutix. “Andy’s experience will be extremely valuable as we continue to prepare for the potential launch of our lead product candidate, DEXTENZA™, where our objective is to maximize product uptake and revenue from the outset. If approved by the FDA, we believe DEXTENZA would be the first extended release steroid containing no preservatives available to ophthalmologists that would provide the complete course of therapy with a single placement.”

Mr. Hurley has over two decades of sales, marketing, market access and commercial operations experience across the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently, Mr. Hurley served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Dyax Corporation prior to its acquisition by Shire in January 2016. In this role, Mr. Hurley led the strategic and tactical launch planning for the launch of DX-2930, a product candidate under development for the treatment of hereditary angioedema, or HAE. Prior to Dyax, Mr. Hurley held several senior positions within Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, including Vice President of Marketing and Vice President of Commercial Operations. At Sunovion, he was responsible for leading all marketing activities for its asthma franchise, including overall strategic planning, life cycle strategy, advertising campaigns, and market research. He also led commercial operations functions including sales training, relationship marketing and sales operations. Earlier in his career, Mr. Hurley held commercial operations and sales roles at NitroMed and Forest Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Hurley has also held various consulting roles, providing commercial strategy development and tactical support to the biotech industry.

“I am excited to join Ocular Therapeutix at such an important juncture for the Company as it prepares for the potential commercialization of DEXTENZA,” stated Mr. Hurley. “I look forward to working with the world class team at Ocular to launch and commercialize DEXTENZA as well as the Company’s additional innovative, extended release product candidates across diverse indications in ophthalmology.”

About Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCUL) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using its proprietary hydrogel platform technology. Ocular Therapeutix has submitted an NDA for post-surgical pain for its lead product candidate, DEXTENZA™ (dexamethasone insert, extended release), which is in Phase 3 clinical development for post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain and allergic conjunctivitis, and in Phase 2 clinical development for dry eye disease. OTX-TP (sustained release travoprost) is in Phase 3 clinical development for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Ocular Therapeutix is also evaluating sustained-release injectable drug depots for back-of-the-eye diseases. Ocular Therapeutix's first product, ReSure® Sealant, is FDA-approved to seal corneal incisions following cataract surgery. For additional information about the Company, please visit www.ocutx.com.