Eyenovia Inc. has promoted Bren Kern to chief operating officer and corporate vice president. He had previously been the company’s senior vice president of Manufacturing and Operations.
 
“Since joining the company, Bren has made significant contributions preparing our manufacturing facility in Redwood City to commence operations, and I believe he is the ideal candidate to serve as the company’s chief operating officer going forward,” Eyenovia CEO Michael Rowe said. “As we approach the potential approval of MydCombi next year while continuing to support our development stage programs and strategic partnerships, we will rely heavily on Bren’s operations and manufacturing expertise, and I am very pleased to have him as part of our executive team.”   
 
Kern has spent his career helping companies transition from research and development entities into scaled commercial manufacturing organizations. Over the past 20 years, he honed his skills by leading product optimization, supporting regulatory approvals (510K & PMA) and establishing cGMP compliant manufacturing solutions worldwide. Prior to joining the company last year, Kern held leadership positions in multiple medical device and diagnostic companies, including Hound Labs Inc. (a THC breathalyzer), Second Source Medical LLC (a medical device contract manufacturer), BioLux Research Ltd. (an orthodontia acceleration device), BAROnova Inc. (a removable weight loss implant) and Bigfoot Biomedical Inc./Asante Solutions Inc. (an insulin delivery device).

Kern earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering technology from Oregon Institute of Technology.
 
In addition to Kern’s promotion, Eyenovia also announced that independent director Julia Haller, M.D., is stepping down from the company’s Board of Directors. Upon her departure, Eyenovia’s Board will be reduced to seven seats from eight.
 
“On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank Dr. Haller for her service during what was a crucial time for our company,” Board Chairman Sean Ianchulev, M.D., MPH, stated. “As a world-renowned retinal surgeon-scientist and innovator in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Haller brought unique perspectives and advised us through some of our most important activities and events, including the evolution of our strategy. We wish her well in her future endeavors.”
 
Eyenovia Inc. is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical technology company developing a pipeline of microdose array print therapeutics. Eyenovia is currently focused on the late-stage development of microdosed medications for mydriasis, presbyopia and myopia progression.