Absorption Systems Boosts Ophthalmic Drug Testing

Glen Gum, M.S., Ph.D. has been named associate director of Preclinical Studies at Absorption Systems. The move is part of the continuing expansion of the company’s capabilities at its San Diego, CA facility. The site is in the midst of a major upgrade and expansion of staff, equipment, and capabilities in the specialized area of preclinical ocular drug testing.

Dr. Gum has many years of in vivo experience, particularly in ophthalmic drug discovery, drug development, and toxicology. He will be responsible for training and technical operations related to preclinical ocular pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy, and safety, and will be based in the company’s AAALAC-accredited vivarium.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Glen Gum join our growing team in San Diego and add to the strength of our testing program in ophthalmic drugs and devices,” said Patrick M. Dentinger, president and chief executive officer of Absorption Systems. “He is renowned in the world of ocular drug development, and his extensive experience and stellar credentials raise our level of sophistication in that area, allowing us to serve our customers better.”

Prior to joining Absorption Systems, Dr. Gum was senior manager/principal scientist at the Biological Test Center (BTC), a division of B. Braun Medical Inc., where he trained and led teams of scientists and technicians performing preclinical in vivo tests of the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of drugs and medical devices. He had previously been on the faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Florida. Over the course of his long career, Dr. Gum has developed or co-developed many of the preclinical models of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinoblastoma, uveitis, and diabetes that are used all over the world for drug testing. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications and several book chapters.