Meet Dr. Karen Klugo, Medical Director, Medpace
Medpace is pleased to announce the addition of a new ophthalmology expert, Dr. Karen Klugo, to the medical leadership team.
Dr. Klugo is a board-certified ophthalmologist with over 20 years of clinical experience as a comprehensive ophthalmologist where she was involved in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases. Additionally, she was a Principal Investigator (PI) in over 20 studies of investigational products for ocular diseases such as glaucoma, dry eye, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis.
In this brief interview, we learn more about Dr. Klugo’s background and the expertise she brings to Medpace.
Tell us about your background: what expertise do you bring to Medpace?
Prior to joining Medpace, I was in clinical practice in Cincinnati, Ohio for 21 years providing comprehensive ophthalmologic care to patients in the region. This included, but was not limited to, the care of patients with cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, corneal, and retinal diseases. I performed cataract surgery and laser treatments for various ocular pathologies. During my time in practice, I also had the opportunity to serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) for many Phase II and Phase III studies involving medical therapies for diseases. The combination of my strong clinical background in ophthalmology and my experience in research strengthens the Medpace team.
What drew you to Medpace?
I am excited to be a part of Medpace because the organization functions collaboratively as a respected global CRO, and is a leader in the development of advanced medical therapeutics. I appreciate the strong team approach at Medpace, which is integral in the success of working with Sponsors to develop new treatments for patients. I feel fortunate to be a part of such a highly regarded organization and to have the opportunity to aid in the advancement of therapies in ocular diseases.
What motivates you and your interest in clinical research – specifically in ophthalmology?
Clinical research plays a crucial role in understanding ocular disease, developing strategies to maintain ocular health, and mitigating vision loss. I began my research experience in 2008 as a Principal Investigator (PI) in a Phase II study on blepharoconjunctivitis. I have since worked with many Sponsors on studies that have brought innovative products to market that benefit the lives of patients. Now at Medpace, I am fortunate to be able to utilize my clinical expertise and research experience to further advance treatments for ocular disease globally, while prioritizing safety and efficacy for patients.
From a clinical development standpoint, what new innovations are you most excited about?
I am particularly interested in hereditary diseases of the eye and have a background in the study of molecular genetics. The field of ophthalmology is at the forefront of the development of gene therapy because the eye has unique advantages to other organs as a target for treatment. It is easily accessible, compartmentalized, and has a limited immune response which makes it a good candidate for genetic therapy. Gene therapy has already been approved for inherited eye diseases and shows promise in treating several other ocular conditions. The ophthalmology team at Medpace has been involved with these types of new and exciting advancements and I am looking forward to collaborating with Sponsors to develop novel therapeutics of this kind.
How do you envision ophthalmology clinical development evolving over the next 10-15 years?
It seems that the role of artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to revolutionize many aspects of ophthalmic care and have a significant impact on the outcome we will see in patients. AI can improve accuracy in the diagnosis of common diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. This will undoubtedly facilitate staging and treatment of sight-threatening conditions. We will be able to recognize patterns and process larger amounts of data more efficiently. It will aid in devising effective protocols for research to develop highly efficacious treatment modalities for these diseases. This is an exciting time to be a part of these advancements.
Leading Ophthalmology CRO
Accelerate your path to approval with guidance from our team of ophthalmology-focused medical, operational and regulatory experts. Our extensive experience, strong site relationships, world-class expertise, and consistent track record of success ensure the flexibility to adapt to the unique needs of each ophthalmology trial and keep trials on time and within budget.