CEO Lance Baldo suggests that gene therapy in the eye is uniquely positioned for success. As an encapsulated organ with "immune privilege," the eye reduces risks like hepatotoxicity seen in systemic therapies. This creates a safer environment to generate learnings that can then be applied to advance gene therapies for other organs.
Baldo was training to be an orthopedic surgeon but pivoted after co-founding a venture-backed medical software company. He faced a clear inflection point and made a conscious decision to forgo completing his medical training to remain in business, highlighting that successful executive career paths are not always linear.
When considering his first CEO role, Baldo strategically chose one that combined his passion for ophthalmology, a strong investor syndicate, promising clinical data, and a Phase 3 asset. This matched his self-identified "sweet spot" in late-stage drug development, creating an ideal entry point into a C-suite position.
Instead of striving for a rigid work-life balance, which can feel like a zero-sum game, CEO Lance Baldo practices "work-life integration." He strategically incorporates work into his personal time, such as waking up early on vacation to clear his inbox, which allows him to be fully present with family later. This reframes executive time management as a fluid, personalized system.