Charles Holmes video

AbbVie’s Charles Holmes: On the Pandemic, Resuming Clinical Practice and Future Innovation

It’s already June . . . and depending on the country, people have been in quarantine or under shelter-in-place measures for months. In CAKE magazine’s continued Q&A from Quarantine coverage of the coronavirus, Media MICE CEO Matt Young spoke with Charles Holmes, associate VP and head of eyecare global for AbbVie, on how ophthalmology is both coping and emerging from the pandemic, as well as how the virus’s lasting impacts may alter future medical innovation.

What is “Normal”?

Technically, “normal” is defined as “usual, average or typical state of condition.” Like last year: We were going to conferences and meeting colleagues for dinner; ophthalmologists were seeing patients and performing surgeries. That was normal then . . . so what is normal now? Further, what will the markets look like in this “new normal”?

Mr. Holmes said that with so much uncertainty right now, it’s difficult to predict or even speculate. “Certain markets are releasing their quarantine scenarios and some clinics are starting to open — but for most markets around the world, ophthalmology clinics remain closed except for emergencies.”

Apart from emergencies, routine monitoring and treatment is necessary to preserve sight for many patients, especially those with glaucoma and retinal disease. Worldwide, ophthalmologists and experts suggest that these patients seem to be returning first.

These patients need to be assessed in person, said Mr. Holmes. “If patients with retinal disease miss a few injections it could be detrimental . . . the sooner retinal clinics can get back to injecting these patients on schedule, the better.”

Patients Still Need Treatment


Allergan has products for both retina and glaucoma, as well as ocular surface disease. “We monitor these three areas pretty closely,” said Mr. Holmes. He said that in the glaucoma space, patients who have continued access to their drops don’t seem to be impaired.

“Right now, I think that patients are very conscious — especially glaucoma patients — about taking their medication because they know that it is challenging to get back to an ophthalmologist,” he explained.

On the other hand, retina patients must visit clinics for injections. To help reduce the burden on both physicians and patients, he said that companies are currently working on therapies that are more durable and longer-lasting.

In some cases, surgical devices can decrease the need for medical treatment. For example, the company’s product, XEN, is a surgically implanted gel stent used to lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Following surgery, patients may or may not need to continue with eye drops.

“The challenge right now is that XEN is a surgical application, so patients aren’t having surgery — but patients that have had XEN implants prior to this wouldn’t have to return to the clinic for a longer period of time, compared to those on drops,” explained Mr. Holmes.

And there are more examples of this coming, according to Mr. Holmes. This is something that companies like Allergan will have a stronger focus on: Products that will lessen the burden. Additionally, as a result of the pandemic, he expects to see more changes and innovations in drug development, as well as in telemedicine and virtual platforms.

A Partner in Ophthalmology

AbbVie’s Charles Holmes: On the Pandemic, Resuming Clinical Practice and Future Innovation

With a 70-year history in ophthalmology, Allergan has not only offered educational support to its customers — the company has also provided partnership.

Mr. Holmes said that all the services Allergan provides to ophthalmologists are important — and he wants doctors to know that the company is here for them during these crazy times, whether it be in education, support services, coupons or donations.

“We’re trying to look at what we can do to support our customers, ophthalmologists and patients. And I think we’ll end up with a bunch of best practices that we’ll continue to provide,” he shared.

Another focus for Allergan will be developing medications to lower the treatment burden: “That’s going to be a major focus for our research and development teams . . . to look at areas where we can actually help ophthalmologists and patients to relieve burdens,” said Mr. Holmes.

Giving Back

Allergan has also contributed to fighting the pandemic. With a focus on donations to patient organizations, Mr. Holmes said that the company donated quite a bit to China in the early days of coronavirus. “All over the world, the Allergan Foundation has done an amazing job in identifying needs and making donations,” he shared. “We’re continuing to look at that as well . . . at least once a week, we discuss it and look at opportunities to help.”

In addition to identifying global needs, Allergan is also addressing the needs of one of their more immediate audiences: ophthalmologists. Using their Eyecast platform, the company is offering virtual digital platforms to provide education.

“We know that a lot of ophthalmologists aren’t working today, they’re doing emergency work but there is some downtime unfortunately,” said Mr. Holmes. “Providing education and interesting virtual online programs will help as we move through the next few months.”

At the end of the (pandemic) day, Mr. Holmes said that this whole experience has been a wake-up call: “We’ve realized that we need to develop products that will lessen the burden. I think that if you look over the next five to 10 years, the products coming from Allergan will have a major focus on lessening burden and helping patients.”

Editor’s Note: This story is part of the continuing “Q&A from Quarantine” series of CAKE Talks, where Matt Young (CEO of Media MICE and Publisher of PIE and CAKE magazines), during the time of COVID-19 lockdown reached out to KOLs and industry friends to evaluate and discuss the impact of this pandemic to the ophthalmic world.

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