The operators, clinicians, and scientists advancing OF-01.
OccuFlow Bio brings together deep trabecular meshwork biology, ophthalmic clinical expertise, and life science venture experience to translate two decades of NIH-funded research into a restorative therapy for glaucoma.
Gulab S. Zode, PhD
Founder and Chief Operating Officer of OccuFlow Bio. Glaucoma researcher with more than twenty years of continuous NIH-funded investigation into the cellular biology of the trabecular meshwork. His laboratory established the ER-stress hypothesis underlying OF-01 and has produced over sixty peer-reviewed publications, providing the scientific foundation and operational leadership for the program.
Arti Sharma, PhD
Named principal investigator on the STTR grant supporting the OF-01 program. She earned her PhD in Molecular Physiology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas, where Gulab Zode's laboratory was based before its move to UC Irvine. She subsequently served as an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Her research includes the study of ER stress, a form of cellular stress, in a mouse model of steroid-induced glaucoma, and she is an author on a publication describing how that stress contributes to glaucoma in mice. She has highlighted the lab's 2021 work on the mechanisms that raise intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
Bill Carpou
Chief Executive Officer of Octane, an Orange County growth platform connecting capital and resources to technology and life sciences companies. Founder and General Partner of Visionary Ventures, a venture fund focused on ophthalmology, with portfolio exposure across presbyopia, myopia, and corneal cell therapy. Previously an operating partner at Blackstone. Additional board seats include Second Heart Assist and Mobix Labs. BS, Villanova University.
Mike Hill
Managing Director of Octane Capital Markets, where he leads investor engagement across Octane's technology and life sciences portfolio. Connects early-stage companies with institutional and angel capital through Octane's investor network and sector showcase programs, including the Boost Ophthalmology Showcase.
Matthew Ghanem
Chairman and Founder of National Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, a specialty physician platform he built to more than 20 clinics nationwide in under five years. Previously held commercial leadership roles at Entellus Medical, an ENT device company acquired by Stryker. Brings specialty physician channel expertise and experience through a completed medtech exit.
Clinical, commercial, investment expertise across ophthalmology and life sciences.
Jack Florio, MBA
More than 40 years of experience across pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and digital health companies. Currently advises through IPL Capital Advisory.
Richard Lindstrom, MD
Founder and attending surgeon at Minnesota Eye Consultants, and a globally recognized ophthalmologist and innovator in cataract, corneal, and refractive surgery. He has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and holds numerous patents in ophthalmic devices and surgical techniques, with decades of leadership across clinical practice, research, and industry.