James Burke is Vice President of Research at Visus Therapeutics, responsible for pre-clinical development relating to the expansion of Visus’ early-stage pipeline.

James joined Visus after a long and storied career at Allergan, Inc., where he began as Professional in 1985 before exiting as Executive Director in 2018.  James contributed as lead or member on a variety of discovery and development programs including Alphagan (brimonidine) and Durysta (bimatoprost SR), as well as numerous ocular neuroprotection, drug delivery, and glaucoma and retinal programs.

James is the co-inventor of intraocular biodegradable polymeric implants for lowering IOP, treating macular degeneration, improving vision, preventing retinal dysfunction, and treating ocular vasculopathies, and the use of subtype selective alpha-2 agonists for the treatment of chronic pain and the lowering of IOP without cardiovascular side effects.  He is also the inventor of selective alpha 2 agonists in combination with subtype selective alpha-2 antagonists or Na+/H+ inhibitors for lowering IOP.  He has authored or co-authored 25 patent families, culminating in a total of 83 US and foreign patents.  He has also co-authored 48 articles and book chapters on ocular pharmacology and pharmacokinetics with alpha and beta adrenergic, dopaminergic, prostaglandin, imadazoline and anti-VEGF agents formulated as topical solutions or in drug delivery devices in animal models of ocular hypertension, glaucoma, and retinal diseases.

James holds a BA in Chemistry from Texas Tech University and is a graduate from Leicester (Polytechnic) School of Pharmacy.