Far Hills-based Samsara Vision said that, effective Aug. 15, Jason Herod, vice president commercial, international markets, was elevated to chief commercial officer.
Samsara Vision is a privately held specialty medical device company focused on intraocular ophthalmic devices that are intended to significantly improve vision and quality of life for individuals with untreatable retinal disorders.
Herod joined Samsara in August 2021 and brings over 24 years of ophthalmic medical device, pharmaceutical and over-the-counter business experience. Now based in Geneva, Switzerland, Herod has lived and worked in the U.S., Canada and Czech Republic, holding many roles of increasing responsibility in sales, sales management, country, regional and global marketing, country general management, and as the franchise head for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia for Alcon.
In his role as chief commercial officer, Herod will continue to support the European rollout of the Smaller-Incision New-Generation Implantable Miniature Telescope (SING IMT), Samsara Vision’s flagship, intraocular telescope for older adults living with late-stage, age-related macular degeneration. He will also work closely with other members of the company’s C-suite to advance availability of the SING IMT in other global markets and provide oversight for the company’s ongoing U.S. clinical trial.
“When Jason joined Samsara Vision three years ago after spending much of his career focused on eye health with Alcon and Allergan, I was immediately impressed by his strategic acumen and team-building ability. His leadership contributed to our success earning a CE Mark and launching the SING IMT in 17 EU countries to date,” Thomas Ruggia, CEO and president of Samara Vision, said. “I look forward to working with Jason even more closely as the chief commercial officer as we build our business in China, APAC, Australia and Latin America.”
