Ocugen announced that Rita Johnson‑Greene will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer effective immediately following the filing of the company’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31 2025. Johnson‑Greene brings more than twenty years of finance and operations experience in the life‑science sector, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine from April 2023 to January 2026. Prior to that, she held senior finance roles at Genetix Biotherapeutics, Spark Therapeutics, and AstraZeneca, where she managed global commercial and financial operations for gene‑therapy products.
The appointment comes as Ocugen prepares to file its first of three Biologics License Applications (BLAs) this year. The company’s pipeline includes OCU400 for retinitis pigmentosa, OCU410 for geographic atrophy, and OCU410ST for Stargardt disease. The first BLA is targeted for filing in 2026, with subsequent applications for OCU410ST scheduled for the first half of 2027. In the months leading up to the appointment, Ocugen closed a $22.5 million registered direct offering and had previously secured $30 million in debt and $35 million in equity financing, extending its cash runway into the first quarter of 2026. As of the most recent balance sheet, the company held $27.3 million in cash and restricted cash, giving it a burn rate that supports operations through early 2026.
Johnson‑Greene’s compensation package reflects the company’s focus on aligning leadership incentives with long‑term shareholder value. Her base salary is $440,000, with a target bonus of up to 45 percent and a $90,000 sign‑on bonus. Equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock units, vest over three years. The structure is designed to retain key financial leadership during the critical phase of regulatory filings and potential commercialization.
Management emphasized the strategic fit of Johnson‑Greene’s background. Chairman, CEO, and Co‑founder Dr. Shankar Musunuri said, “Mrs. Johnson‑Greene’s diverse experience across strategic roles in the gene‑therapy space makes her well‑suited to lead Ocugen’s financial strategy as we enter a transformative period, beginning with the submission of our first BLA.” The appointment signals Ocugen’s intent to strengthen financial stewardship and secure non‑dilutive funding as it advances its pipeline.
The CFO’s arrival is expected to bolster Ocugen’s financial oversight during a period of significant regulatory activity and capital needs. Her track record in securing non‑dilutive funding and scaling commercial operations positions the company to manage cash efficiently while pursuing the planned BLA filings and potential partnership opportunities.
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