Restore Value Slate Led by Mina Sooch Files Preliminary Proxy Materials for the Election of Six Highly Qualified Directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Opus Genetics

Ladies and Gentlemen, buckle up! We have a major shakeup brewing at Opus Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IRD). Mina Sooch, the founder of Ocuphire Pharma, Inc., now known as Opus Genetics, Inc., has filed preliminary proxy materials with the SEC for the election of six highly qualified directors at the upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This is a game-changer, folks! The Restore Value Slate, led by Sooch, is aiming to bring new leadership and a fresh strategic plan to the boardroom. Let's dive into the details and see why this is a big deal!



First things first, the Restore Value Slate is not messing around. They have outlined a five-pillar strategic plan designed to drive accountability, optimize operations, and enhance long-term value creation for all Opus stockholders. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Accountability: The Restore Value Slate is demanding new leadership on the Board to ensure that the best interests of all retail and institutional investors are served. Mina Sooch, one of the Company’s largest individual investors, is leading this charge. She’s not just talking the talk; she’s walking the walk. Sooch has a proven track record as a serial entrepreneur and has held various roles in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. She knows what it takes to build a successful company.

2. Optimizing Operations: The current board has been criticized for undisciplined capital allocation. The Restore Value Slate plans to address this by focusing on efficient use of resources. They believe the Company has less than one year of cash on hand and has failed to provide spending guidance related to the GTX programs. This is a red flag, folks! The new slate aims to change that.

3. Enhancing Long-Term Value Creation: The Restore Value Slate proposes to maximize the value of RYZUMVI™, an FDA-approved, de-risked asset with zero capital requirements, extensive patient data, and significant upside. Instead of shifting focus to capital-intensive, early-stage gene therapy assets, they want to leverage the existing assets to create value for stockholders. This is a no-brainer!

4. Addressing Strategic Missteps: The plan addresses the strategic missteps made by the current Board and management, such as the ill-conceived Opus Merger, which created significant dilution without a stockholder vote. The transaction was structured to not allow the legacy Ocuphire stockholders a chance to vote on the Opus Merger, which the Restore Value Slate believes undervalued the legacy portfolio (RYZUMVI™ and APX3330).

5. Avoiding Extreme Dilution: The Restore Value Slate's plan aims to create significant stockholder value without extreme dilution. They believe that the current Board's actions, such as the recent dilutive financing, showcase the Board's willingness to unreasonably tilt the playing field and undermine the vote ahead of the pivotal election. The plan will focus on avoiding such actions to protect the interests of existing stockholders.

Now, let’s talk about the nominees. The Restore Value Slate has six nominees that offer a diverse and highly complementary set of skills and critical capabilities to the boardroom. These include Mina Sooch, Michael P. Burrows, Carolyn Cassin, Martin Dober, Mark H. Ravich, and John Weber. This is a powerhouse team, folks! They bring a wealth of experience and expertise that could transform the company.



The potential implications of this nomination are huge. The current board dynamics and decision-making processes at Opus Genetics could see a significant shift. With increased diversity and expertise, the board could make more informed decisions. The strategic direction of the company could also change, focusing more on maximizing the value of existing assets. This could lead to improved future performance for the company. However, there could be potential conflicts with the current board, as the Restore Value Slate has been critical of the current board's actions. This could lead to a power struggle or delay in decision-making processes.

But let’s not forget the elephant in the room. The company’s stock is down 80% since Ms. Sooch’s departure from the company, far underperforming the Nasdaq Small Cap Biotech Index (XBI) and other relevant biotechnology indexes. This is a wake-up call, folks! The current board’s strategic, management, and capital allocation failures have resulted in stockholder value destruction. It’s time for a change!

So, what does this mean for you, the investor? This is a pivotal moment for Opus Genetics. The Restore Value Slate’s nomination of six highly qualified directors could be the catalyst for a turnaround. But it’s not just about the nomination; it’s about the strategic plan they bring to the table. If you’re an investor in Opus Genetics, you need to pay attention to this. This could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

In conclusion, the Restore Value Slate’s nomination of six highly qualified directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Opus Genetics is a big deal. It’s a chance for the company to turn things around and create long-term value for stockholders. So, stay tuned, folks! This is one to watch.