Charting the course towards ophthalmic excellence and making a difference for patients

As a leader with over 25 years of experience spanning gene therapy, rare diseases, and primary and specialty care, Marianthi Psaha has had the opportunity to navigate complex industry landscapes and spearhead transformative changes at local, regional, and global levels.

Her most recent tenure as Head of EMEA comes on the heels of her role as Head of Cell and Gene Therapy at Santen, where she was at the forefront of the company's technological advancements and gained recognition as a social innovator. Her efforts to address unmet medical needs through pioneering therapies have not gone unnoticed, earning her a place on the Medicine Makers’ "Power List" in 2022.

Currently serving as Santen’s Head of EMEA, she leads innovation and collaboration efforts across EMEA, Santen’s second largest business region, to drive growth, help improve patients’ lives and ensure alignment with Santen’s commitment to maintain and improve eye health.

In an interview with Life Sciences Review Europe, Marianthi shares her insights into the current opportunities shaping the ophthalmology landscape and the strategic vision that will help to propel Santen EMEA forward.

What opportunities exist in the ophthalmology sector, and how is Santen EMEA addressing these?

Santen EMEA aims to be a leader in the market, so we are capitalising on opportunities by expanding our product reach and introducing new products and solutions to help meet unmet medical needs across the region and increasing access to new treatments for patients. For example, our end-to-end glaucoma portfolio provides treatment options for patients at all stages of the disease.

The ophthalmology sector is particularly dynamic across the EMEA region mainly driven by innovation. Emerging markets like the Middle East with strong growth potential are part of our strategic focus. We are also making strides in our surgical business, launching innovative products such as Preserflo^® MicroShunt across the region - a step forward in minimally invasive glaucoma treatment.

Additionally, we are adapting to the digital transformation in healthcare with the launch of the Santen Eyecare Education (SEE) portal in Europe. This platform provides ophthalmologists access to personalised, high-quality learning content, aligning with our commitment to digital innovation in scientific education and professional engagement.

2024 marks over three decades of technological and therapeutic advancements by Santen in Germany, demonstrating Santen EMEA’s place at the forefront of eye care innovation across Europe.

We are focused on further growth and significantly impacting the eye health of the patients we serve through our strategic initiatives in the ophthalmology space.

How do you deliver excellence in patient care?

At Santen, and of course, across the EMEA region, we prioritise patient care by developing ophthalmological solutions that help improve vision and enhance the overall quality of life. Our patient-centric approach aims to address the full impact of eye conditions, such as dry eye disease, which can hinder daily activities like reading, watching television, using a computer and driving¹.

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease that can cause discomfort and reduce quality of life². However, the development of new treatments aimed at reducing disease symptoms are key factors in its successful management, along with patient education.¹ Without treatment dry eye can progress and increase in severity².

Our dedication to patient care is reflected by the impact of our products on the lives of millions of patients. Our deep knowledge of ophthalmic diseases means we remain focused on creating products that help to meet the unmet needs of patients suffering from glaucoma, dry eye disease, allergy, myopia, and more.

Across the EMEA region, we have successfully launched Roclanda^® in key markets (Germany, the Nordics, the UK, the UAE and Spain). A fixed dose combination that contains a Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor³, Roclanda represents the first innovation in the medical management of glaucoma in Europe in 25 years^3,4. The European Commission has granted Marketing Authorisation to Santen’s Catiolanze^® eye drops emulsion (latanoprost) further solidifying our commitment to providing innovative treatments to patients⁵. Additionally, our share of the ophthalmology market increased between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, which means we are reaching more patients and helping to make a difference in their eye health.

We continuously strive to enhance patient care through our actions, and never underestimate the importance of personal interaction in our efforts to serve patients effectively.

What is the future of innovative research and development in the ophthalmology space?

The future of innovative research and development in ophthalmology is looking incredibly promising, and Santen is at the forefront of this transformation. Our current product portfolio, which has seen success in treating glaucoma and dry eye disease, has recently expanded into surgical solutions and vision correction, reflecting our commitment to addressing every aspect of eye health.

Looking ahead, we are gearing up for several product launches across the EMEA region that underscore our innovative edge. The development and now launch of these products are the result of taking a patient-centric approach. We actively incorporate patient feedback into our R&D strategy, to help ensure that our solutions meet patients’ needs as best we can.

This builds towards Santen EMEA’s long-term goals that will significantly help to improve eye health. We do not just aim to meet current industry standards; we strive to redefine them. By harnessing our internal talent and external expertise, we are dedicated to creating a society where everyone can experience happiness through vision. This holistic approach in ophthalmology drives us in EMEA to continue innovating and advancing within the field.