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Ben Yerxa

President; formerly CEO, Opus Genetics

Search every verified Ben Yerxa interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Ben Yerxa, CEO of Opus Genetics, discussed the company's origins and approach to developing gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases in an April 2022 podcast appearance. He said Opus Genetics evolved from three years of observation by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, noting that some gene therapies with strong scientific backing were not being advanced by biotech companies or financed by mainstream venture capital. He described the company's pipeline as including candidates for Leber congenital amaurosis and other forms of retinitis pigmentosa, emphasizing that it is not solely focused on pediatric LCA. Yerxa also addressed challenges in gene therapy manufacturing, stating that contract manufacturers often prioritize larger clients, requiring multi-million dollar deposits and waits of a year or more for production batches. He highlighted efforts to improve product purity, noting that some injected products may contain only 70 percent full capsids, with the remainder being empty virus particles. He said smaller batches can be purified more easily to achieve higher purity, which he described as important for increasing the probability of success at a reasonable cost.

Recent appearances

  • 265: Punk Rock HR Presents Corporate Drinker - CEO Perspective on Alcohol with Dr. Ben Yerxa

    December 18, 2025 · 📺 WRKdefined Audio

    Join me as I welcome Dr. Ben Yerxa, the CEO of Opus Genetics, into our series on the intersection of alcohol and work culture. Dr. Yerxa brings his vast leadership experience to the table, giving us an invaluable perspective on cultivating a healthy work environment. We delve into the intricate dynamics of alcohol in professional settings, ranging from corporate board dinners to the daily operations of a biotech company, and discuss the importance of mindful drinking. Get ready for a thrilling ride as we explore the complexities of work dynamics, stressful board dinners, and the increasing p…

    Watch on YouTube ↗

  • Opus Genetics | Ben Yerxa, PhD, CEO

    February 15, 2024 · 📺 OIS: Ophthalmology Innovation Source

    Retina Innovation Showcase Website: https://ois.net FOLLOW Ophthalmology Innovation Source On Social Media: ► LinkedIn:   / ois-net   ► Twitter:   / oistweets   JOIN Our Group For Ophthalmology Innovation & Investment On LinkedIn   / 2189664   SUBSCRIBE To Our Weekly OIS Newsletter http://bit.ly/2yFOXUt VIEW Our Past Ophthalmology Event Conferences: https://ois.net/past-events REGISTER For Our Next Meeting: https://ois.net/ois-events/ #OIS #Ophthalmology #Healthcare #Ophthalmic #Medicalinnovation #Retina #Eyediseases #OISXIII ____________________________________________________________…

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  • Opus Genetics - Ben Yerxa, PHD

    August 08, 2023 · 📺 OIS: Ophthalmology Innovation Source

    Website: https://ois.net FOLLOW Ophthalmology Innovation Source On Social Media: ► LinkedIn:   / ois-net   ► Twitter:   / oistweets   JOIN Our Group For Ophthalmology Innovation & Investment On LinkedIn   / 2189664   SUBSCRIBE To Our Weekly OIS Newsletter http://bit.ly/2yFOXUt VIEW Our Past Ophthalmology Event Conferences: https://ois.net/past-events REGISTER For Our Next Meeting: https://ois.net/2023-ois-events #OIS #Ophthalmology #Healthcare #Medicalinnovation #Retina #Retinal #Genetherapy #Ophthalmic #Ophthalmologists _________________________________________________________________…

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  • Fighting Blindness & Funding The Fight With Opus Genetics' Ben Yerxa, CEO

    April 26, 2022 · 📺 Life Science Connect

    Opus Genetics is an early-stage gene therapy company launched just last year and in unique fashion on the back of the patient advocacy group the Retinal Degeneration Fund. Already, its pipeline has developed into three candidates, the lead among them addressing Leber congenital amaurosis. Opus CEO Ben Yerxa, Ph.D. serves in triplicate as CEO at the RD Fund, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and Opus Genetics. His plate is full, but he's a man on a mission. On this episode of the Business of Biotech, Dr. Yerxa shares his story, that of Opus Genetics' unique approach to addressing inherited retinal…

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  • Let's Chat About...Opus Genetics

    March 25, 2022 · 📺 Hope in Focus

    Ben Yerxa, PhD, Co-Founder & President of Opus Genetics speaks about the Opus Genetics’ business model, pipeline, manufacturing process, and their focus on tried and true methods.. Founded in 2021, Opus Genetics is a patient-first, science-driven gene therapy company tackling manufacturing obstacles standing in the way of treatments for ultra-rare blinding conditions.

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  • Opening Session: Mission Possible! What’s Next for Gene Therapy.

    June 26, 2020 · 📺 Foundation Fighting Blindness

    Ben Yerxa, PhD Shannon Boye, PhD.

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The summary and quote tags on this profile are produced with AI assistance from verified, first-person interview transcripts, then checked by our team to confirm the speaker's identity and the accuracy of every quote. See how we verify →