Monday, December 15, 2008

Gerald Cagle named COO of Alzheimer’s diagnostic firm Neuroptix

By Mass High Tech staff

Alzheimer’s disease detection company Neuroptix Corp. has appointed Gerald D. Cagle as its first chief operating officer, the company reported. Neuroptix develops a diagnostic, non-invasive eye test for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

Cagle previously served as chief scientific officer and senior vice president of research and development at eye-care firm Alcon Laboratories Inc., where he worked his way up from his position as senior scientist in microbiology.

A member of the American Academy of Opthalmology and the American Society for Microbiology, Cagle also works as a Wilmer Eye Advisory Council member, Association of International Glaucoma Society delegate and representative of the Dallas-Fort Worth Health Industries Council and on the board of directors of TECH Fort Worth.

Cagle earned his Ph.D. and master’s degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, and his bachelor’s degree from Wayland College in Plainview, Texas.

The diagnostic system, called the Neuroptix Sapphire diagnostic platform, consists of a non-contact laser-based optical device combined with an eye drop which identifies Alzheimer’s-related proteins found in the lens of the eye.

In October, Acton-based Neuroptix landed $18.5 million in a Series B round of funding to help push the diagnostic test toward clinical trials. The round was led by Swiss firm Inventages Venture Capital Investment Inc., with Rockport Venture Partners acting as the financial advisor.