Thomas Ciulla, MD, MBA, Fasrs
About Thomas Ciulla, MD, MBA, Fasrs
Thomas Ciulla is the Chief Medical Officer appointed in January 2024, known for his extensive experience in clinical development and medical strategy, particularly in the field of ophthalmology.
Chief Medical Officer Thomas Ciulla
Thomas Ciulla serves as the Chief Medical Officer, a position he has held since January 2024. Before his current role, he was appointed Chief Development Officer at Viridian in 2023. His experience includes a tenure at Clearside Bio, where he served as both Chief Medical Officer and Chief Development Officer. At Clearside Bio, Ciulla was instrumental in guiding preclinical and clinical development and supporting an NDA that led to the first FDA approval of a suprachoroidal therapy. He also led an IND submission, developing a new clinical program and overseeing a successful Phase 1/2 trial.
Medical Strategy Leadership and Achievements
Thomas Ciulla has a robust track record in medical strategy and leadership. At Spark Therapeutics, he defined and led the medical strategy, supporting the development and commercialization of the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a genetic disease. During his time as VP, Clinical Strategy at Ophthotech Corporation, Ciulla held several critical leadership roles in clinical research. His extensive experience includes serving as principal investigator, medical monitor, and participant in scientific advisory, data safety monitoring, or writing committees for over 100 national clinical trials. He continues to contribute to the field, serving on journal editorial boards and editing several textbooks.
Educational Background
Thomas Ciulla has a distinguished educational background, having graduated from Harvard College and UCSF School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Harvard Medical School and pursued a fellowship at Tufts Medical School. To further enhance his expertise, Ciulla earned an M.B.A. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, focusing on the business of medicine. His diverse educational journey underpins his multifaceted approach to medical and business strategy in his professional roles.
Academic and Professional Affiliations
Thomas Ciulla maintains strong ties to both academic and professional communities. He serves as a volunteer Clinical Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and has co-directed the retina service and ocular angiogenesis research lab there. He is a fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists and a member of several other prestigious organizations, including the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Macula Society, the Retina Society, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. His commitment to these communities underscores his ongoing dedication to the field of ophthalmology.
Publications and Presentations
Thomas Ciulla has made significant contributions to ophthalmology through his extensive body of work, which includes over 300 co-authored publications. He has presented his research findings and clinical insights at more than 200 conferences, sharing his knowledge and expertise with peers in the field. His work on journal editorial boards and his role in editing several textbooks further highlight his influence and thought leadership within the ophthalmology community.