Bringing Presbyopia Back to the Forefront: Paul Smith of Orasis on The Rob & Jai Show, an Edition of the OIS Podcast

In this edition of The Rob & Jai Show, Paul Smith, President & COO of Orasis Pharmaceuticals, joins Dr. Rob Rothman and Dr. Jai Parekh for a compelling conversation on his career path and the commercialization of Qlosi™—a novel, FDA-approved, low-dose pilocarpine eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia.

With more than two decades of experience across Alcon, Novartis, and now Orasis, Smith reflects on his unique career trajectory from tech startups to ophthalmic leadership, the importance of cross-functional experience, and how a shared vision with founder & CEO Elad Kedar led him to the helm of a company now reshaping the presbyopia landscape.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Qlosi™ was formulated at the lowest approved concentration of pilocarpine to prioritize safety, tolerability, and functional vision.
• How Orasis is differentiating its launch by learning from past category efforts and focusing on real-world expectations and patient needs.
• The company’s go-to-market strategy, including a hybrid access model and the role of optometry in driving adoption.
• Why Paul believes innovation in eye care thrives on collaboration, humility, and continuous learning.
• What makes presbyopia such a powerful entry point into the broader continuum of vision care.

With a clear mission, strong leadership, and a product designed with patients in mind, Orasis is setting a new standard in treating one of the most common unmet needs in eye care.

Don’t miss this thoughtful and inspiring discussion—subscribe to the OIS Podcast today to stay ahead of what’s next in ophthalmic innovation!