John Trein
Therapeutic Lead, Posterior
Dr. John Trein is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist, retina specialist, and clinical development leader with more than 20 years of clinical and surgical experience in retinal disease, combined with extensive expertise in ophthalmic drug development and global clinical research. As Therapeutic Lead, Posterior at Ora, he provides strategic scientific and clinical leadership across retinal programs, helping Sponsors optimize study design, endpoint strategy, patient identification, safety oversight, and overall program execution.
Dr. Trein brings deep expertise across a broad range of posterior segment diseases, including geographic atrophy (GA), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal vascular disorders, and inherited retinal diseases. His unique perspective stems from decades of experience as both a practicing vitreoretinal surgeon and a clinical research leader, allowing him to effectively bridge patient care, scientific innovation, and therapeutic development.
Prior to assuming his current leadership role, Dr. Trein served as Ora's Medical Monitor and Head of Latin America Operations, supporting global ophthalmic development programs and providing scientific guidance across complex international studies. He has advised Sponsors on protocol development, patient eligibility, imaging and functional endpoints, safety reviews, and operational considerations across a variety of retinal indications. In addition to his leadership at Ora, Dr. Trein currently practices as a retina specialist at Aran Eye Associates in South Florida, where he treats patients with retinal and vitreous diseases and remains actively engaged in clinical care. His ongoing practice experience ensures he maintains a direct connection to patient needs, emerging treatment approaches, and the practical realities of retinal disease management.
Before joining Ora, Dr. Trein owned and operated a specialized ophthalmology practice in Brazil for more than 16 years, performing retina and cataract surgery and caring for patients with a wide range of complex ophthalmic conditions. He has also contributed extensively to physician education, surgical training, and ophthalmic research, supporting the advancement of novel therapies and clinical trial methodologies.
Dr. Trein earned his medical degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), completed his ophthalmology residency and medical and surgical retina fellowship at the University of São Paulo, and later earned a Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences focused on Clinical and Industrial Drug Development from the University of Cincinnati. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, he brings a global perspective and a patient-centered approach to advancing therapies for retinal disease.
Dr. Trein brings deep expertise across a broad range of posterior segment diseases, including geographic atrophy (GA), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal vascular disorders, and inherited retinal diseases. His unique perspective stems from decades of experience as both a practicing vitreoretinal surgeon and a clinical research leader, allowing him to effectively bridge patient care, scientific innovation, and therapeutic development.
Prior to assuming his current leadership role, Dr. Trein served as Ora's Medical Monitor and Head of Latin America Operations, supporting global ophthalmic development programs and providing scientific guidance across complex international studies. He has advised Sponsors on protocol development, patient eligibility, imaging and functional endpoints, safety reviews, and operational considerations across a variety of retinal indications. In addition to his leadership at Ora, Dr. Trein currently practices as a retina specialist at Aran Eye Associates in South Florida, where he treats patients with retinal and vitreous diseases and remains actively engaged in clinical care. His ongoing practice experience ensures he maintains a direct connection to patient needs, emerging treatment approaches, and the practical realities of retinal disease management.
Before joining Ora, Dr. Trein owned and operated a specialized ophthalmology practice in Brazil for more than 16 years, performing retina and cataract surgery and caring for patients with a wide range of complex ophthalmic conditions. He has also contributed extensively to physician education, surgical training, and ophthalmic research, supporting the advancement of novel therapies and clinical trial methodologies.
Dr. Trein earned his medical degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), completed his ophthalmology residency and medical and surgical retina fellowship at the University of São Paulo, and later earned a Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences focused on Clinical and Industrial Drug Development from the University of Cincinnati. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, he brings a global perspective and a patient-centered approach to advancing therapies for retinal disease.
