Opus Genetics Appoints Rob Gagnon as Chief Financial Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Opus Genetics (Nasdaq: IRD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases, has appointed Rob Gagnon as Chief Financial Officer. Gagnon brings over 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience, having raised more than $2 billion in capital throughout his career.

Gagnon joins from Remix Therapeutics, where he served as CFO, and previously held executive positions at Verastem Oncology, Harvard Bioscience, Clean Harbors, and Biogen. He holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and currently serves on multiple biotech company boards.

Positive

• Appointment of experienced CFO with track record of raising over $2 billion in capital
• New CFO brings extensive experience in IPOs, clinical development, and M&A
• Strategic hire comes at pivotal time with late-stage clinical programs advancing

Negative

• Company still in clinical stage with no commercialized products

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opus Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and small molecule therapies for other ophthalmic disorders, today announced the appointment of Rob Gagnon, CPA, MBA, as Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Gagnon is an accomplished biotech executive with more than two decades of financial and operational leadership experience in both public and private companies. He has raised over $2 billion in capital, executed multiple strategic transactions, and held senior roles guiding companies through IPOs, late-stage clinical development, commercial launches, and M&A.

“Rob’s extensive experience in capital markets, strategic finance, and building high-performing organizations makes him an ideal fit for Opus as we continue advancing our clinical pipeline and prepare for multiple regulatory milestones,” said George Magrath, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Genetics. “His track record of leading biotech companies through high-growth phases will be invaluable as we continue to execute on our vision of delivering transformative therapies for patients with significant unmet needs.”

Mr. Gagnon joins Opus from Remix Therapeutics, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and led the company’s finance function, strategic financing process, fundraising efforts and IPO preparation. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer at Verastem Oncology, where he oversaw finance, business development, and investor relations and led capital raising efforts. He has also held senior finance leadership roles at Harvard Bioscience, Clean Harbors, and Biogen, and began his career in audit and advisory services at Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“I’m excited to join Opus at such a pivotal stage, with late-stage clinical programs, a robust early pipeline, and strong momentum across gene therapy and small molecule platforms,” said Mr. Gagnon. “I look forward to partnering with George and the Opus team to drive potential long-term growth as we work to deliver innovative inherited retinal disease therapies to patients worldwide.”

Mr. Gagnon holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, a BA in Accounting from Bentley College, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Gagnon currently serves on the Board of Directors at Verastem Oncology, Harvard Bioscience, Purple Biotech and Bone Biologics.

About Opus Genetics

Opus Genetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and small molecule therapies for other ophthalmic disorders. The Company’s pipeline features AAV-based gene therapies targeting inherited retinal diseases including Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), bestrophinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Its lead gene therapy candidates are OPGx-LCA5, which is in an ongoing Phase 1/2 trial for LCA5-related mutations, and OPGx-BEST1, a gene therapy targeting BEST1-related retinal degeneration. Opus is also advancing Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, a partnered therapy currently approved in one indication and being studied in two Phase 3 programs for presbyopia and reduced low light vision and nighttime visual disturbances. The Company is based in Research Triangle Park, NC. For more information, visit www.opusgtx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, expectations regarding us, our business prospects and our results of operations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “aim,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that might subsequently arise.

Contacts:

Investors
Jenny Kobin
Remy Bernarda
IR Advisory Solutions
ir@opusgtx.com

Media
Kimberly Ha
KKH Advisors
917-291-5744
kimberly.ha@kkhadvisors.com

Source: Opus Genetics

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03ebda22-60e9-4b4d-8787-8793d5b518d3

FAQ

Who is the new CFO of Opus Genetics (IRD)?

Rob Gagnon has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer of Opus Genetics. He is an accomplished biotech executive with over 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience.

What is Rob Gagnon's experience before joining Opus Genetics (IRD)?

Prior to joining Opus Genetics, Gagnon served as CFO at Remix Therapeutics and as CFO/CBO at Verastem Oncology. He also held senior finance roles at Harvard Bioscience, Clean Harbors, and Biogen.

How much capital has Rob Gagnon raised in his career?

Throughout his career, Rob Gagnon has raised over $2 billion in capital and executed multiple strategic transactions.

What stage is Opus Genetics (IRD) currently in?

Opus Genetics is currently a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with late-stage clinical programs and a pipeline in gene therapy and small molecule platforms for inherited retinal diseases.

What boards does Rob Gagnon serve on?

Rob Gagnon currently serves on the Board of Directors at Verastem Oncology, Harvard Bioscience, Purple Biotech, and Bone Biologics.