Fort Worth, Texas, December 15, 2015 – Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, has appointed Mohinder (Mo) Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA as Head of Medical Affairs for Vision Care in the US and Canada.
 
In his new role for Alcon, Dr. Merchea will develop strategic scientific plans for brands in the Vision Care franchise, with a focus on the needs of patients, the medical and scientific communities and regulatory authorities. Dr. Merchea will lead regional strategy for Phase IIIb and Phase IV trials in the US and Canada.   In addition to contributing to medical communication, publication and key conference plans, Dr. Merchea will oversee independent medical education programs for Alcon’s clinician partners.
 
“We are excited to have Dr. Merchea join our team. His broad medical affairs expertise in eye care and passion for innovation will help Alcon drive further toward its vision of being the most trusted leader in eye care,” said Joanne Chang, M.D., Ph.D, Head of US and Canada Clinical & Regulatory Affairs for Alcon. “His strategic background will allow Dr. Merchea to partner easily with our research and development, clinical and regulatory organizations to provide innovative solutions for our customers and their patients.”
 
Dr. Merchea brings more than 18 years of experience in eye health, clinical research and medical device development. His clinical expertise includes refractive surgery, keratoconus, topography, wavefront aberrations, ocular surface and contact lenses, and lens care solutions. Dr. Merchea concluded a 12-year career at Bausch + Lomb, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc. as the head of medical affairs, Vision Care; and most recently with LENSAR Inc. where he served as the Vice President of Clinical & Regulatory Affairs.
 
He is a cornea and contact lens specialist, with experience designing and executing developmental and post-market clinical trials and laboratory studies. Dr. Merchea has supported regulatory submissions, product safety monitoring and quality assurance for contact lens and surgical devices. He is also experienced in supporting commercial organizations in competitive strategy and tactics, claims development for medical device marketing, key opinion leader strategy and promotional review.
 
Dr. Merchea earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he also completed a combined Advanced Practice Fellowship in cornea and contact lenses and a Master of Science degree in physiological optics and a Doctorate in vision science. He later went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.
 
Dr. Merchea is a Diplomate in the Cornea, Contact Lens, and Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry, a Fellow of the British Contact Lens Association, and a member of the American Optometric Association and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).  He will be based in Fort Worth, Texas.