DEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 10, 2026--
Qlaris Bio, Inc. (“Qlaris”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapies for glaucoma, today announced the appointment of Fred Guerard, Pharm.D., as president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective March 1, 2026. He will also join the company’s Board of Directors.
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Dr. Guerard brings more than two decades of global leadership experience in ophthalmology and biotechnology, with a track record of advancing innovative therapies through late-stage development and toward commercialization.
He succeeds Thurein Htoo, who played a pivotal role in establishing the company and advancing its clinical pipeline through key development milestones. Mr. Htoo will remain with the company through April 1, 2026, to support a seamless leadership transition.
“As Qlaris advances QLS-111 into Phase 3 clinical development, we are pleased to welcome Fred as our next chief executive officer,” said Ron Hunt, chairman of the board of directors of Qlaris. “Fred brings more than two decades of global ophthalmology leadership experience across biotechnology and major pharmaceutical organizations. His proven ability to build high-performing teams and drive clinical and commercial execution will be invaluable as we enter this pivotal stage of growth. We are deeply grateful to Thurein for his leadership and dedication since the Company’s founding.”
“I am honored to join Qlaris at this pivotal moment,” said Dr. Guerard. “QLS-111 represents a differentiated and potentially transformative approach to lowering intraocular pressure by targeting the episcleral vein through its novel vasodilatory mechanism. I look forward to working with Qlaris’ talented team to advance our Phase 3 program and prepare the organization for commercialization.”
Dr. Guerard most recently served as CEO of Opthea, where he strengthened the company’s strategic and financial position as it advanced its pivotal program. Previously, he was president and CEO of Graybug Vision, leading the company through a Series C financing and its initial public offering. Prior to Graybug, he served as worldwide franchise head of ophthalmology at Novartis, overseeing a global portfolio across the Novartis retina and Alcon pharmaceuticals businesses and executing multiple strategic transactions to expand the pipeline. During his two decades at Novartis, he held several senior leadership roles across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets.
“We are grateful to Thurein, co-founder and previous CEO, for his many invaluable contributions in co-founding the company and in providing strong leadership through the early phases of pre-clinical and clinical development. Qlaris is now in a strong position to take QLS-111 through late-stage development, and we wish to thank Thurein for his outstanding efforts in leading the company to this point,” said Wende Hutton, member of the board of directors of Qlaris and general partner of Canaan Partners.
Dr. Guerard holds a doctor of pharmacy degree and a master of biological and medical sciences from the University of Rouen, France, and a master of marketing from HEC Paris. He currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Lenz Therapeutics, CalciMedica, Spiral Therapeutics and Unither Pharmaceuticals.
About QLS-111
QLS-111 is a novel vasodilatory topical ATP-sensitive potassium channel modulator designed to reduce intraocular pressure by lowering episcleral venous pressure. Originally discovered at Mayo Clinic, QLS-111 was developed by Qlaris Bio into a preservative-free eye-drop formulation. In Phase 2 clinical trials (Osprey and Apteryx), QLS-111 demonstrated sustained intraocular pressure reduction with a favorable safety profile.
About Qlaris Bio, Inc.
Qlaris Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapies for unmet needs in ophthalmology. The Company’s lead candidate, QLS-111, is designed to treat glaucoma by targeting episcleral venous pressure and improving ocular perfusion. For more information, visit www.qlaris.bio.
Fred Guerard, Pharm.D., president and chief executive officer of Qlaris Bio
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian fired drones towards Saudi Arabia and Kuwait early Tuesday as the war in the Middle East shows no sign of abating.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said it has destroyed two drones over the kingdom’s oil-rich eastern region, while in Kuwait, the National Guard said it shot down six drones attacking the county’s northern and southern areas.
Iran's latest attacks on neighboring Gulf States come as U.S. President Donald Trump sends contradictory signals about how long the war could last, fueling uncertainty that’s causing markets to swing.
The president on Monday told Republican lawmakers that the war was likely to be a “short excursion,” but hours later posted on social media that “If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far.”
In an apparent response to Trump’s remarks published in Iranian state media, a spokesperson for the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Ali Mohammad Naini, said “Iran will determine when the war ends.”
Kamal Kharazi, foreign policy adviser to the office of the supreme leader, told CNN on Monday that Iran is prepared for a long war. He said he sees no “room for diplomacy anymore” unless economic pressure prompts other countries to intervene and stop the “aggression of Americans and Israelis against Iran.”
The U.S. stock market careened through a manic Monday, going from a steep early loss to a solid gain as worries turned into hope that the war with Iran may not last that long. Oil prices whipped from nearly $120 per barrel, the highest since 2022, back toward $90.
But prices later fell and U.S. stocks rose on hopes that the war with Iran may not last much longer.
The war has choked off major supplies of oil and gas to world markets and sent fuel prices rising across the U.S. The fighting has also led foreigners to flee from business hubs and prompted millions to seek shelter as bombs hit military bases, government buildings, oil and water installations, hotels and at least one school.
Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have all but stopped tankers from using the shipping lane through which a fifth of the world’s oil is carried, and Iranian drones and missiles have targeted oil and gas infrastructure in major producers. Attacks on merchant ships near the strait have killed at least seven mariners, according to the International Maritime Organization.
Several U.S. diplomatic missions have ordered all but key staff to leave.
The war has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, at least 397 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, according to officials.
A total of seven U.S. service members have been killed.
Magdy reported from Cairo, and Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists around the world also contributed to this report.
A man walks past closed shops at the nearly empty Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
People walk past closed shops at the nearly empty Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
People walk past closed shops at the nearly empty Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
People walk past closed shops at the nearly empty Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
A man passes in front of a destroyed building that housed a branch of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a non-bank financial institution run by Hezbollah, which was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Mourners pray during the funeral of Mehdi Hosseini, a man killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike, at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The coffin of Mehdi Hosseini, a man killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike, is carried for burial at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
This image taken from video provided by Iran state TV shows Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran's slain supreme leader, who has been named as the Islamic Republic's next ruler, authorities announced Monday, March 9, 2026. (Iran state TV via AP)
People gather in a rally to support Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the successor to his late father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as supreme leader, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
