Acucela Inc. , a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in discovering and developing novel therapeutics to treat and slow the progression of sight-threatening ophthalmic diseases, today announced that after a long and thoughtful strategic planning process to recruit a new President and Chief Operating Officer , Acucela has appointed Brian O'Callaghan, who currently sits on Acucela's Board of Directors, to the newly created position, effective immediately. Ryo Kubota, MD, PhD, who is also Acucela's Founder, will remain as Acucela's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer .