Emmecell Taps Ophthalmic Veteran Ramin Valian as CEO to Guide Magnetic Cell Therapy to Market

MENLO PARK, CA – January 16, 2026 – Emmecell, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has appointed veteran biopharmaceutical executive Ramin Valian as its new Chief Executive Officer, a strategic move signaling its pivot from pure research and development toward the commercialization of its novel magnetic cell delivery platform for ophthalmic diseases.

Valian, who brings over two decades of global leadership in eye care, joins the company at a critical juncture. Emmecell is preparing for pivotal late-stage clinical trials for its lead candidate, a non-surgical therapy for corneal disease, and is advancing a pipeline that could redefine treatment for some of the most challenging conditions in ophthalmology, including geographic atrophy.

A Strategic Shift Towards Commercialization

The appointment of a CEO with Valian's profile is a clear indicator of Emmecell's ambitions. His career, primarily at ophthalmology giants Allergan and AbbVie, is distinguished by his role in successfully launching six different ophthalmic products, spanning both therapeutics and medical technologies. This experience in navigating the complex path from clinical development to market approval and sales is precisely what a company like Emmecell needs as it matures.

In his new role, Valian will helm corporate strategy, oversee the final stages of clinical and regulatory development, and build the operational and commercial infrastructure necessary for a successful product launch. His decision to join the smaller, innovative firm underscores a deep confidence in its underlying technology.

“I believe Emmecell’s magnetic cell delivery technology has the potential to fundamentally redefine ophthalmic treatment—from corneal disease to geographic atrophy,” Valian said in a statement. “The ability to precisely and non-invasively position therapeutic cells opens new possibilities for regenerative medicine. I’m honored to lead Emmecell as it advances toward pivotal clinical development and commercialization.”

Company co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Jeffrey L. Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D., echoed this sentiment. “His leadership experience and commitment to patient-centered innovation make him the right CEO for Emmecell as we advance programs in both corneal and retinal disease,” Goldberg stated, emphasizing the dual focus of the company's platform.

The Science of Magnetic Cell Delivery

At the heart of Emmecell's strategy is its proprietary Magnetic Cell Delivery (MCD) platform. The technology aims to solve a persistent challenge in regenerative medicine: ensuring that therapeutic cells reach their target tissue and remain there to do their job. For conditions like corneal edema, which is the leading cause of corneal transplants in the U.S., the standard of care involves complex surgery known as endothelial keratoplasty.

Emmecell's lead program, EO2002, offers a radically different, non-surgical approach. The procedure involves a minimally invasive injection of healthy donor corneal endothelial cells, which have been combined with biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles. A proprietary magnetic patch is then worn over the patient's eye for a short period. This external magnet guides the therapeutic cells to the posterior surface of the cornea, encouraging them to integrate and restore the tissue's natural function.

This method carries several potential advantages over traditional surgery. It avoids the risks of invasive procedures, can be performed with topical anesthesia outside of a full operating room, and dramatically increases the utility of precious donor tissue. Through a partnership with the global eye bank network Eversight, Emmecell has highlighted that cells from a single donor cornea could be cultured and expanded to treat hundreds of patients, directly addressing the chronic shortage of donor tissue that limits the number of transplants performed annually.

Promising Data in a Competitive Landscape

Emmecell is not just armed with a novel idea; it has generated compelling clinical data to support it. In November 2024, the company announced positive topline results from its U.S. multi-center Phase 1 extension study for EO2002. The trial, which involved 30 participants, demonstrated both a strong safety profile and significant signs of efficacy.

In the cohort that received a dose of 150,000 cells, patients experienced a mean vision gain of 11 letters on a standard eye chart at six months. Critically, 38% of these subjects achieved a vision gain of 15 letters or more—a key benchmark often used by regulatory agencies to determine clinical significance. The treatment also led to anatomical improvements, including reduced corneal swelling and increased endothelial cell density. Notably, no serious adverse events related to the treatment were reported, bolstering confidence in the therapy's safety.

While these results are promising, Emmecell is entering a competitive field. Aurion Biotech has already gained regulatory approval and launched its own cell therapy for corneal endothelial disease in Japan. Aurion's approach combines cultured cells with a rho kinase inhibitor to promote adhesion, but it relies on gravity and patient positioning—such as lying face down for several hours—to help the cells settle correctly. Emmecell's use of magnetic guidance could prove to be a key differentiator, potentially simplifying the procedure for both physicians and patients.

With plans to initiate a pivotal Phase 3 trial in the first quarter of 2025, the stage is set for a direct comparison of these next-generation therapies.

Beyond the Cornea: A Platform for the Future

The potential of the MCD platform extends well beyond the front of the eye. Emmecell is also advancing a preclinical program, EO1301, for geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced, and most debilitating, form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). GA is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly, and the market for treatments is expanding rapidly.

Until recently, no treatments existed. The FDA approvals of Syfovre and Izervay in 2023 marked a major milestone, but these therapies only slow the progression of the disease; they do not reverse damage or restore lost vision. This leaves a significant unmet need for regenerative approaches that can replace the lost retinal cells and potentially improve sight.

Emmecell's platform aims to do just that by magnetically delivering retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to the damaged area in the back of the eye. While still in early development, a successful regenerative therapy for GA would be a transformative breakthrough in a multi-billion dollar market. Further demonstrating its breadth, the company also has a preclinical glaucoma candidate, EO0408, exploring the use of magnetic cell steering to reduce intraocular pressure. Under Valian’s leadership, Emmecell will now navigate the path to bring its lead program to patients while continuing to develop its platform for these other significant unmet needs in eye care.