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OIS XV is the comprehensive gathering for the entire eye care ecosystem, spanning retina, glaucoma, anterior segment, drug delivery, and beyond. This day and a half program features innovation showcases, investor spotlights, and strategic discussions that bring together leading startups, global strategics, and clinical experts.

OIS XV PRESENTING COMPANIES

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4DMT

Dhaval Desai, PharmD, Chief Development Officer - 4DMT

4D Molecular Therapeutics (4DMT) is a late-stage biotechnology company focused on unlocking the full potential of genetic medicines to treat large market diseases in ophthalmology and pulmonology. 4DMT’s proprietary invention platform, Therapeutic Vector Evolution, combines the power of directed evolution with approximately one billion synthetic AAV capsid-derived sequences to invent customized and evolved vectors for use in our wholly owned and partnered product candidates. Our lead program 4D-150 is a potential backbone therapy that is designed to provide multi-year sustained delivery of anti-VEGF (aflibercept and anti-VEGF-C) targeted to the retina with a single, safe, intravitreal injection. Our second core program is 4D-710, which is the first known genetic medicine to demonstrate, in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), successful delivery and expression of the CFTR transgene and initial clinical activity signals after aerosol delivery of a gene therapy.

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Laurent Fischer, MD, CEO - Adverum Biotechnologies

Adverum Biotechnologies is pioneering the use of gene therapy as a new standard of care for highly prevalent ocular diseases.  Adverum’s lead program, Ixoberogene soroparvovec (Ixo-vec), is designed to be administered as a one-time IVT injection in the physician’s office, deliver long-term efficacy, reduce the burden of frequent anti-VEGF injections, optimize patient compliance, and improve vision outcomes for patients with wet AMD.
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aiviva biopharma

Diane Tang-Liu, PhD, President & CEO - AiViva BioPharma

AiViva BioPharma Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering long-acting, targeted therapies that redefine how chronic diseases are managed—beginning with ophthalmology.

At the heart of our innovation is AIV007, a proprietary formulation of lenvatinib delivered via our JEL® Technology, a temperature-sensitive injectable gel that forms a sustained-release depot. AIV007 is designed to treat retinal diseases such as neovascular AMD (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) through a single injection that lasts up to six months, potentially eliminating the need for monthly, more risky intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. By targeting VEGF, FGFR, and PDGFR, AIV007 offers a unique multimodal mechanism that addresses both angiogenesis and fibrosis.

Our JEL® platform enables local, durable delivery of small molecules with minimal systemic exposure, creating broad opportunities to extend the life cycle of approved drugs and unlock new indications with a streamlined regulatory path (including 505(b)(2) strategies). The platform has demonstrated clinical proof-of-concept in multiple programs and is protected by IP that extends well into the 2040s.

Founded by industry veterans with a strong track record in drug approvals, IPOs, and strategic partnerships, AiViva is advancing a best-in-class ophthalmology pipeline featuring long-acting, targeted therapies designed to improve outcomes and reduce treatment burden. With compelling clinical results and differentiated delivery technology, we are actively seeking strategic partners and investors to accelerate our path to the market.

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Enrique Vega, CEO & Co-Founder - Azalea Vision

Azalea Vision is developing the first medical-grade smart lens platform designed to sense, adapt, and connect in real time. Our technology integrates adaptive optics, embedded microelectronics, and NFC connectivity to correct complex vision conditions such as keratoconus, other corneal irregularities, and presbyopia. Beyond refractive correction, the same platform unlocks continuous tear-fluid biosensing for systemic health monitoring—tracking glucose, lactate, pH, electrolytes, and more to support patients with diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Future applications extend to precision ocular drug delivery and sports performance monitoring, positioning Azalea at the frontier of connected ocular health.

Led by a multidisciplinary team with deep expertise in microelectronics, biomedical optics, and medical device innovation, Azalea Vision brings together decades of research and industrial development. The company’s platform integrates stretchable electronics, custom-designed ASICs, liquid crystal optics, and NFC communication, all engineered into a lens-embedded system. This foundation enables Azalea to deliver medical-grade smart lenses that sense, adapt, and connect in real time—scaling from vision correction to biosensing, diagnostics, and beyond.

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Daniel Brocks, MD, CMO - BostonSight

BostonSight is an international nonprofit healthcare organization that advances the treatment of diseased or damaged corneas and dry eye. Our ongoing commitment to research and achieving optimal patient outcomes through innovative scleral lens design, education and technology have saved the sight of thousands of people around the world. Our mission is to improve quality of life by transforming the understanding, treatment, and care of the ocular surface.

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Clarke Atwell, CEO - Claris Biotherapeutics

Claris Biotherapeutics is a late clinical stage company developing breakthrough therapies for rare corneal diseases.

We are currently developing our lead molecule, CSB-001 for treatment of two indications: limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and corneal scarring.

Limbal stem cell deficiency is a corneal disorder where conjunctival cells begin to grow over the cornea, replacing the clear epithelial cells and obstructing vision, and which can lead to blindness. There are currently no pharmaceutical therapies approved for treatment of this indication.
Claris Biotherapeutics is a late clinical stage company developing breakthrough therapies for rare corneal diseases.

We are currently developing our lead molecule, CSB-001 for treatment of two indications: limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and corneal scarring.

Limbal stem cell deficiency is a corneal disorder where conjunctival cells begin to grow over the cornea, replacing the clear epithelial cells and obstructing vision, and which can lead to blindness. There are currently no pharmaceutical therapies approved for treatment of this indication.

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Vinit Mahajan, MD PhD, Co-founder & Chief Scientific Advisor - ClinOmics.AI

Clinomics.AI is a precision diagnostics company transforming how eye diseases are detected, monitored, and treated. Built on proprietary IP licensed from Stanford University, our platform combines liquid biopsy proteomics with artificial intelligence to provide real-time, non-invasive insight into cellular and molecular disease activity. Founded by leading surgeon-scientists Dr. David Almeida and Dr. Vinit Mahajan, Clinomics.AI is redefining precision ophthalmology. Our flagship initiatives include OPTICA, the first-in-human trial applying proteomic profiling to dry age-related macular degeneration, and TEMPO, a platform that integrates single-cell transcriptomics, proteomics, and AI to trace disease drivers and build predictive “proteomic clocks.” With applications ranging from macular degeneration to Parkinson’s disease, our mission is to uncover the molecular fingerprints of aging and disease inside the living eye before symptoms appear. This opens the door to earlier diagnosis, personalized therapies, and more effective clinical trials. Clinomics.AI actively partners with academic centers, biopharma innovators, and trial sponsors to accelerate precision care.

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Abu Abraham, MD, Chief Medical Officer - Cloudbreak Pharma

We are a clinical stage global biotechnology company developing ophthalmic drugs for chronic eye diseases which are often with few treatment options. Our broad pipeline was developed by in-house scientists with the experience and expertise to identify new targeted mechanisms of action and craft formulations that are amenable to topical ocular delivery. Our deep understanding of ophthalmic disease pathogenesis and extensive scientific know-how led us to our lead pipeline candidate, CBT-001 – an investigational eye drop treatment with the potential to slow or stop progression of pterygium, a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated disease with no approved drug therapy.

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Rod Hafner, Chief Development Officer - CS Pharmaceuticals Limited

CS Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to developing and commercialising innovative ophthalmology therapies that address significant unmet medical needs and improve patients’ lives worldwide.
Our lead product, CSP-270, is a novel topical treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). CSP-270 contains a selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, which was the lead compound identified in a drug discovery programme conducted by GSK to separate the potent anti-inflammatory activity of corticosteroids from their side effects.
CSP-270 is an external eyelid cream that creates a sustained-release drug depot, achieving 20–100x greater ocular surface drug delivery compared to eyedrops. Unlike traditional corticosteroid creams, which are contra-indicated for application to the face, CSP-270 has been shown not to cause skin thinning.
Phase 2 proof of concept has been demonstrated in patients with MGD with improvement in eye discomfort and no increase in intraocular pressure after 3 weeks of treatment.
With these promising results, CSP-270 has the potential to become a first-in-class therapy for MGD and transform the standard of care in ocular surface disease.

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Diorasis

Remis Bistras, CEO - Diorasis Therapeutics

Diorasis Therapeutics (Boston) – developing a one-time, disease-modifying gene therapy for glaucoma. Breakthrough: single injection restores normal eye pressure, durable effect, proven in animal models; Sheep steroid-induced glaucoma model: Up to 70% sustained IOP reduction, maintained for 6 weeks, with no safety concerns. Milestones: successful FDA pre-IND, GMP batch already in production. Team: ex-Novartis, Roche, GSK; collective track record of 10+ INDs, 7 clinical trials in gene therapy, and commercialization of Luxturna. Market potential: ~$2B peak net revenues in the US and >$4B worldwide at targeted pricing $20-45k per injection.

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ECI

Elan Weiner, CEO - ECI Therapeutics

ECI Therapeutics developed a proprietary method to extract, purify, sterilize, and concentrate regenerative growth factors from allogeneic (donor) human plasma—creating consistent, off-the-shelf biologics that promote wound healing and restore vision. Our lead candidate, ECI-102, is an orphan drug therapy for neurotrophic keratitis, a rare and debilitating corneal disease with limited treatment options. Backed by a de-risked regulatory path and scalable manufacturing, our pipeline expands across other ocular surface diseases and chronic wounds.

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Everads therapy

Moshe Weinstein, CEO - Everads Therapy

Everads Therapy is a clinical stage biotech company with novel technology for delivering drug to the retina via the suprachoroidal space, and several collaborations using our technology. The suprachoroidal route of administration has gained significant interest over the past half decade, with an increasing number of pre-clinical and clinical studies delivering therapeutic agents suprachoroidally. Furthermore, we are currently exploring the development of our injector for suprachoroidal buckling to repair retinal detachment, and have generated data in human cadaver models.
Suprachoroidal delivery requires a delivery technology, and there are just a few such technologies available, with even fewer in clinical development. The Everads Injector has gained early traction, and we currently have several collaborations with big pharma and biotech companies, including a license deal with US-based Kriya Therapeutics to deliver their gene therapies using our technology. We have already earned certain license and milestone payments from these collaborations, and the agreements have the potential to pay out additional milestones and royalties.
Everads recently completed its first-in-human clinical trial that has demonstrated the tolerability and effectiveness of our technology as a safe and effective in-office injection (NCT06314217), and the results were accepted as an oral presentation to ASRS. Furthermore, our technology is currently being used to deliver a novel gene therapy developed by Kriya for treating geographic atrophy (NCT06765980).

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Daniel Lindgren, Co-Founder & CEO - Evoq Technologies Corp

Evoq Technologies, Inc. is a Delaware C-Corporation headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, advancing the next generation of retinal diagnostics through its SightGard™ platform. Our lead product, the Twilight™ Dark Adaptometer, quantifies night vision loss—the earliest biomarker of AMD and diabetic eye disease. Together with SmartERG® and Gleam™ Full-Field Stimulation Test, the platform delivers functional insights before structural imaging can detect damage, creating a new standard for early intervention. Evoq addresses a multibillion-dollar market where imaging dominates but often misses early dysfunction. Our functional diagnostics unlock new reimbursable exams, expand therapeutic monitoring, and generate longitudinal, AI-ready datasets for clinical trials and practice management. With devices designed for accessibility, scalability, and cloud integration, Evoq offers eye care providers both improved patient outcomes and compelling economics. With FDA Class I registration of Twilight targeted for 2025, followed by Class II submissions for SmartERG and Gleam, Evoq is positioned for rapid commercialization. The company’s Delaware C-Corp structure provides a clear path for investment and growth, supported by early clinical collaborations and a strong regulatory roadmap. Evoq’s vision is to democratize access to functional testing, enabling millions worldwide to preserve sight before irreversible loss occurs.

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Theresa Heah, MD, CEO and Vice Chair - Eyexora

Eyexora is a global ophthalmology company pioneering a hub-and-spoke model to accelerate innovation in eye care. By centralizing scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial expertise, Eyexora advances a diversified pipeline of therapies and devices through focused subsidiaries, to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and scale impact. Founded

by leaders with decades of ophthalmology experience and a track record of more than 30 successful company and product launches, Eyexora partners with clinician-scientists and research institutes worldwide to bring transformative eye care solutions to patients faster and smarter. For more information, visit www.eyexora.com.

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FELIQS

Kenichiro Kuninobu, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO - FELIQS

FELIQS is an early clinical stage ophthalmology company with a focus on retina. Our programs are as follows: - Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) – FLQ-101, a lipid peroxidation inhibitor repurposed to prevent ROP. FLQ-101 will be in Phase Ib dosing planned in the US in October 2025 for tROPhy-1 trial. - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – FLQ-104, a proprietary lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis inhibitor for earlier intervention to treat Intermediate Dry AMD. We are targeting completion of all IND-enabling studies by the end of 2026.

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Galimedix Therapeutics 2020

Alexander Gebauer, MD, PhD, Executive Chairman - Galimedix Therapeutics

Galimedix is a mid-clinical-stage biotech company developing transformative ophthalmic and CNS small molecule treatments based on a novel mechanism of action directed to the common cause for several neurodegenerative diseases of the eye and the brain. Based on the available preclinical data, drugs in development have the potential to become the future standard of care in dry AMD and glaucoma.
Recent achievements have been the start of a pivotal 12-month Phase 2 study of GAL-101 eye drops in dry AMD/GA and the successful completion of the first-in-human study of the oral version of GAL-101. The latter showed excellent PK and safety profiles.

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Richard Sokolov, Director IDE Medical Devices - IDE Group

For over 22 years, IDE Group has been at the forefront of medical device innovation, development and commercialization. We partner with startups, established MedTech companies, and global pharmaceutical manufacturers to bring products to market around the world, with a strong history in drug delivery. What sets us apart is that we also develop and commercialize our own products and IP, taking them from initial concepts to successful launch. IDE is based in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Rotterdam, Netherlands; Philadelphia; and Minneapolis, USA and our team of multidisciplinary professionals support the full process of bringing a novel product to market, from concept to regulatory approval, production and beyond.

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Stephen J. Smith, MD, Founder & CEO - iRenix Medical

iRenix Medical, Inc. is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing IRX-101, a novel, minimally toxic topical antiseptic alternative to povidone-iodine (betadine) used before intravitreal injections. IRX-101 addresses a critical unmet need for safer, more efficacious ocular antisepsis for intraocular procedures. IRX-101 will be a separately reimbursed drug (unique J code), initially targeting injection patients with Betadine sensitivity (60% of the injection market - Clearview Healthcare Partners research study).

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NANODROPPER

Mackenzie Andrews, Chief Commercial Officer - Nanodropper

Nanodropper is at the forefront of innovation in micro-volume delivery for topical ophthalmics, committed to improving medication adherence and patient outcomes. Our commercial-stage flagship product reduces droplet size by over 60%, minimizing waste and enhancing the longevity and tolerability of eyedrop medications. Backed by 4 clinical studies and trusted by leading institutions like Mayo Clinic and NASA, we’ve made significant strides in increasing access to vision-saving treatments. As we continue to expand our product line, Nanodropper is focused on advancing new technologies that optimize drug delivery, elevate the patient experience, and drive better clinical outcomes in eye care.

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Neurotech 2024

Rich Small, CEO - Neurotech Pharmaceuticals

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a private clinical stage biotech company focused on developing transformative therapies to slow the progression of Macular Telangiectasia (MacTel) Type 2 and other chronic retinal diseases through its core platform technology, Encapsulated Cell Therapy (ECT).

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Novaliq

Christian Roesky, PhD, CEO - Novaliq

Novaliq is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany with an office in Cambridge, MA, USA.

Novaliq developed EyeSol®, a novel drug category of water-free topical eyecare therapies. Two FDA approved EyeSol® dry eye disease drugs - Miebo™ and Vevye™ - are transforming the standard of care in the U.S. These products are successfully partnered in all major countries globally, with additional approvals in the EU, UK, China or Canada, while regulatory reviews in other key countries are ongoing.

Today’s pipeline extends beyond dry eye disease, providing multiple ophthalmic opportunities in general ophthalmology and retina therapies.

Novaliq focusses on two novel EyeSol®-based topical therapies: A clinical proof-of-principle trial study in non-infectious uveitis using topical tacrolimus in EyeSol® is expected to start in Q1 2026 and is successfully financed. Meanwhile, the discovery program screening APIs in EyeSol® to treat non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy has made significant progress and identified promising targets and molecules.

Novaliq’s vision is to accelerate growth and pipeline expansion to build a leading biopharma company. We are actively seeking new partnerships, collaborations, and investors to join us on this journey. Together, we aim to accelerate breakthrough development opportunities and bring Novaliq to the next level.

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Sanjay Nayak, MBBS, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer - Ocular Therapeutix

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to redefining the retina experience across drug development, treatment, and outcomes. AXPAXLI™ (axitinib intravitreal hydrogel, also known as OTX-TKI) is Ocular’s leading investigational candidate for retinal diseases, based on its proprietary ELUTYX™ (bioresorbable hydrogel) technology combined with potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), axitinib. AXPAXLI is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and has potential applications across other retinal diseases such as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME).

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Riad Sherif, MD, CEO - Oculis

Oculis is a global biopharmaceutical company (Nasdaq: OCS; XICE: OCS) purposefully driven to save sight and improve eye care. Oculis’ highly differentiated pipeline of multiple innovative product candidates in development includes: OCS-01, a topical eye drop candidate for diabetic macular edema (DME); Privosegtor (OCS-05), a neuroprotective candidate for acute optic neuritis with potentially broad clinical applications in other neuro-ophthalmic diseases and Licaminlimab (OCS-02), a topical biologic anti-TNFα eye drop candidate for dry eye disease (DED). Headquartered in Switzerland with operations in the U.S. and Iceland, Oculis is led by an experienced management team with a successful track record and supported by leading international healthcare investors.

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Keith D. Ignotz, MBA, President & CEO - OcuMedic

Controlled Drug Delivery to the Eye via a Contact Lens Wear Time 7 Days.
The patented technology was developed by Mark Byrne, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Dean of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Byrne serves as Co-founder of OcuMedic and Chief Technical Officer of the company. The technology rests on 11 issued patents, and a recent Freedom to Operate (FTO) opinion. Efficacy has been proven in animal models.

The technology is based on a novel therapeutic contact lens, made from the most widely used lens material, silicone hydrogel (SiHy), capable of controlled release of first line ophthalmic agents. The platform technology is tested for a use with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic agents, as well as 10 other drugs. It is also an ideal platform for treatment of dry eye especially episodic flairs.

Controlled release from contact lenses has been the subject of investigation for 50 years. Ophthalmologists have attempted to deliver therapeutics to eyes by soaking lenses in drugs, gaining negligible results. No competition at Documedics stage of development formulating drug into the matrix of the material non-covalently bond for timed drug release.

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Gary S. Jacob, PhD, CEO - OKYO Pharma

OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of neuropathic corneal pain and dry eye disease, with ordinary shares listed for trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market. A Phase 2 trial of urcosimod, the company’s lead clinical-stage asset, to treat neuropathic corneal pain patients, was just completed, exhibiting positive top-line data. Urcosimod presently has Fact Track status with FDA to treat NCP,a major unmet medical need with no FDA approved drug to treat NCP. OKYO is planning a further trial with urcosimod along with a meeting with FDA for further input on its clinical development.

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Houman Hemmati, MD, PhD, CMO - Optigo Biotherapeutics

Optigo Biotherapeutics is an ophthalmology company advancing an ocular-anchoring platform that prolongs intravitreal residence of biologics to reduce injection frequency and improve real-world outcomes. Our lead next-generation anti-VEGF—built on a de-risked target with established efficacy and safety—is in IND-enabling studies with a U.S. Phase 1/2a planned. The platform supports a pipeline across major retinal indications and is designed to deliver durable, cost-efficient therapies.

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Jay Pepose, MD, PhD Chief Medical Advisor - Opus Genetics

Opus Genetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and small molecule therapies for other ophthalmic disorders. The Company’s pipeline features AAV-based gene therapies targeting inherited retinal diseases including Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), bestrophinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Its lead gene therapy candidates are OPGx-LCA5, which is in an ongoing Phase 1/2 trial for LCA5-related mutations, and OPGx-BEST1, a gene therapy targeting BEST1-related retinal degeneration. Opus Genetics is also advancing Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, a partnered therapy currently approved in one indication and being studied in two Phase 3 programs for presbyopia and reduced low light vision and nighttime visual disturbances. The Company is based in Research Triangle Park, NC.

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Matt Smith, CEO & Co-Founder - Oro Therapeutics

Oro Therapeutics is a biotech company developing peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) that leverage the unique enzymatic environment inside cancer cells to deliver potent chemotherapy with precision. Our lead program, ORO-352, is designed to treat neo-adjuvant uveal melanoma, the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults. Today, radiation remains the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients, but it carries a devastating risk: up to 50% of patients lose vision within three to five years. With no effective vision-sparing alternatives available, physicians are often forced into a “watch-and-wait” approach in early-stage disease.

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Sevgi Gurkan, Founder, CEO & Board Member - Perfuse Therapeutics

Perfuse Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, developing novel therapeutics to prevent blindness. It is the first and only company focused on improving retinal ischemia by blocking pathologic endothelin signaling. Perfuse's lead candidate is a first-in-class small molecule endothelin A receptor antagonist in a sustained-release intravitreal implant designed to release drug over 6 months and to improve retinal blood flow and prevent the death of neuroretinal cells caused by the upregulation of endogenous endothelin, the most potent vasoconstrictor in the human body. The company possesses a strong and wide-ranging intellectual property portfolio around its drug candidates, as well as a seasoned management and expert advisory teams with decades of experience in ocular drug discovery, development and delivery.

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Precise bio 2020

Lior Shav, Head of Business Development - Precise Bio

Founded in 2015, Precise Bio is a regenerative medicine company pioneering the use of 3D-printed tissues for transplantation. The company’s platform integrates advanced cell technologies with a proprietary, robotic, GMP-compliant biofabrication system. This system includes a laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) printer and specialized manufacturing modules designed to produce clinical-grade tissues.
While the technology is broadly applicable across multiple organ systems, Precise Bio is currently focused on ophthalmology, where it is advancing several programs to address critical unmet needs in eye care.

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Peter Francis, MD, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer - Ray Therapeutics

Ray Therapeutics Inc (RayTx) is a late-stage preclinical Bay Area biotechnology company pioneering the first-to-market precision optogenetic therapy for vision restoration that is highly active in ambient lighting (and will not require light-enhancing goggles). Our studies have shown for the first time that our proprietary ChRown optogenetic protein can restore high levels of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and visual field.

RayTx lead asset, RTx-015, is expected to address the huge unmet medical in people suffering from many forms of retinal blindness (independent of the underlying genetic cause), including those with advanced age-related macular degeneration. RayTx has partnered with a world-leading AAV gene therapy manufacturer is utilizing their proprietary commercial manufacturing process and analytics to maximally de-risk clinical development. RayTx anticipates clinical trials will begin by the end of 2023 in our initial indication, retinitis pigmentosa.

Stephen Pakola, MD Chief Medical Officer REGENXBIO
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Steve Pakola, MD, CMO - REGENXBIO

REGENXBIO is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy. Since its founding in 2009, REGENXBIO has pioneered the development of AAV Therapeutics, an innovative class of gene therapy medicines. REGENXBIO is advancing a pipeline of AAV Therapeutics for retinal and rare diseases, including ABBV-RGX-314 for the treatment of wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy, being developed in collaboration with AbbVie. Designed to be one-time treatments, AAV Therapeutics have the potential to change the way healthcare is delivered for millions of people.

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Mike Lessard, Head of Commercial - Retinal Protection Sciences

Retinal Protection Sciences is a medical technology company dedicated to preventing vision loss from the chronic progressive diseases of aging – the leading causes of vision loss and blindness in the US. Their medical device, SAPRA™ (Safe-Pulse Retinal Activation), will enable ophthalmologists to safely & effectively administer a proprietary, clinically proven laser therapy regimen that is over 13x more effective than the standard of care for early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients. Retinal Protection Sciences aims to transform the ophthalmic landscape for over 20M Americans suffering from AMD – shifting the focus toward safe, early, preventative intervention.

SAPRA™ is not approved in any jurisdiction, but RPS aims to apply for FDA clearance in early 2026.

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Michael O'Rourke, CEO - Re-Vana Therapeutics

Re-Vana Therapeutics, a venture-backed ocular drug delivery company, develops sustained-release biologics for retinal diseases using proprietary biodegradable platforms (EyeLief®, EyeLief SD™, OcuLief®). These enable customizable delivery of diverse therapeutics for internal programs and strategic partnerships. In July 2025, Re-Vana and Boehringer Ingelheim announced a $1B+ milestone-based collaboration for long-acting ophthalmic therapies.

THE PROBLEM
Over 400 million people have retinal disease, projected to reach 470 million by 2028. Current treatments require frequent, uncomfortable intravitreal injections, leading to complications and poor compliance, which undermine vision gains. Sustained- release technologies delivering therapeutic levels for six months or more are needed to improve outcomes and reduce burden. While current drugs are potent, chronic undertreatment in real-world use harms results, and existing extended-duration options (e.g., Eylea-HD®, Vabysmo®) rely on high doses for modest longevity gains.

THE RE-VANA SOLUTION
Re-Vana’s EyeLief®, EyeLief SD™, and OcuLief® photo-crosslinked biodegradable platforms deliver biologics to the retina for 6–12+ months. EyeLief products are crosslinked before administration, while OcuLief forms an in situ implant via visible light. Technologies show excellent tolerability, PK, and efficacy in preclinical studies, support varied therapeutics with customizable loading and release, and have demonstrated proof-of-concept with 20 therapeutics including 10 biologics, a complement factor drug, and both hydrophilic and hydrophobic small molecules.

PRESENT POSITION
The company has achieved significant non-clinical, in vivo proof-of-concept with EyeLief®, demonstrating both efficacy and tolerability, as well as the ability to reliably deliver therapeutic concentrations of anti-VEGF biologics for over six months. Using the OcuLief platform, we have demonstrated sustained delivery of high drug concentrations for longer than 12 months.

INVESTMENT HISTORY
Re-Vana raised $3.25M pre-Series A in 2020 and an oversubscribed $11.9M Series A in 2022, attracting all three leading U.S. ophthalmic-focused VCs alongside U.K. and corporate investors. Additional investors include ExSight Ventures, InFocus Capital Partners and existing U.K. investors Qubis Ltd, Co-Fund NI, and TechStart Ventures.

INVESTOR VALUE PROPOSITION
Re-Vana is raising a $40M Series B. There are two key values inflection points, an OUS human proof-of- concept using EyeLief® for a wet-AMD indication and an open IND to facilitate execution of Phase 2/3 in the US. In 2025 Re-Vana agreed a strategic collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim worth 1$ billion plus

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Tom Reeves, Co-founder, President & CEO - Ripple Therapeutics

Ripple Therapeutics is a clinical stage company focused on improving ophthalmic therapeutics with controllable, sustained drug delivery. Our patented technology platform is based on a discovery that drugs can be engineered into controlled release pharmaceuticals without polymers or excipients. These proprietary prodrugs undergo surface erosion to give zero order release kinetics and are highly engineerable to tailor drug dose and duration to the specific indication.

Our commercial strategy is focused on both proprietary product development and funded partner programs. Our primary product focus is on our Dry AMD portfolio with a focus on both a Complement Factor B inhibitor and intravitreal statins. We also announced last year a licensing option agreement with ABBV for our intracameral bimatoprost implant which included a $21.8M up front payment, $290M in milestones and royalties. We also announced a funded development and licensing option agreement with Glaukos.

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Ash Kras, MD, Founder & CEO - Sanro Health

We are building the real-time AI and interoperability layer for eyecare. Sanro connects directly to EMR and imaging systems using FHIR and DICOM standards to enable multimodal, modular orchestration—built directly into clinical workflows.

Our first application is the only clinical trial prescreening platform that dynamically responds to multimodal clinical events, enabling protocol-specific workflows that run automatically inside the clinic environment.

Sanro was founded by retina specialists and built for real-world practice. We also lead the Eyes on FHIR initiative, helping define and validate new standards to bring structured, vendor-agnostic data to eyecare at scale.

Our recent seed funding from leading eyecare technology company Topcon will accelerates our ability to scale from retina into optometry, and then into broader care settings.

We are currently developing our lead molecule, CSB-001 for treatment of two indications: limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and corneal scarring.

Limbal stem cell deficiency is a corneal disorder where conjunctival cells begin to grow over the cornea, replacing the clear epithelial cells and obstructing vision, and which can lead to blindness. There are currently no pharmaceutical therapies approved for treatment of this indication.

Tom Mitro
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Tom Mitro, CEO & President - Signal12

We are a US based, clinical-stage ophthalmic pharmaceutical company developing first-of-a-kind patented technologies that enable existing drugs to act through unique neural pathways. We have one product in development (pre-phase 3), with several others waiting for funding. Our Board members include ophthalmology industry veterans Tom Mitro (CEO), Vince Anido, Jim Mazzo, Bob Dempsey and Marv Garrett, along with Ken Sawyer (co-founder), Kevin Kimberlin (Chairman Spenser Trask & Co) and Wei Wei Chang, PhD (C0-founder).

Eric Schlumpf
StuartTherapeutics

Eric Schlumpf, President & CEO - Stuart Therapeutics

Stuart Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage drug platform company developing new therapies to treat a broad array of ocular conditions with a completely novel approach – healing through the restoration of disease-damaged collagen. The company’s PolyCol™ collagen mimetic peptide (CMP) technology platform is the first drug class to selectively target and heal specific areas of collagen damage implicated in trauma and disease where there is significant unmet need, including dry eye disease, corneal wound healing, glaucoma, dry AMD and myopia. The lead candidate on the PolyCol platform, ST-100, has demonstrated fast-acting resolution of dry eye signs and symptoms, signaling the opportunity to disrupt this $9.1 billion market and build an ocular surface franchise. The Stuart Therapeutics team includes executive leaders with extensive startup, early stage and large public company experience, as well as scientific advisors with deep expertise ophthalmic medicine and research. Headquartered in Stuart, Florida, Stuart Therapeutics is a privately held company with strong investor support, including InFocus Capital and the University of Wisconsin’s Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and partnerships including Glaukos, Aju Pharm Co, Ora, Vanderbilt University and the University of Rochester. To learn more visit stuarttherapeutics.com and connect on LinkedIn.

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Dan Chao, MD, PhD, Vice President and Head of Clinical Development - Surrozen

Surrozen is a public biotechnology company discovering and developing drug candidates to selectively modulate the Wnt pathway. Wnt signaling plays key roles in the control of development, homeostasis, and regeneration of many essential organs and tissues and modulation of Wnt signaling has the potential for treatment of degenerative diseases and tissue injuries. Surrozen is developing tissue-specific antibodies designed to engage the body’s existing biological repair mechanisms with a current focus in ophthalmology.

Patricia Zilliox
Theialife

Patricia Zilliox, PhD, Advisor - Theialife

Theialife is a U.S. incorporated, virtual ophthalmology drug development company spun out of Bioplus Life Science, World leader in CMC development of Pharmaceuticals, head quarter in Bengalore.

Theialife is focused on development of treatments for Eye diseases, with high-impact innovation.
The lead asset, ND10ER, is a Novel Oral Therapeutic, ready for phase 3 stage, aimed at effectively preventing Myopia progression in children with already High Myopia.
High Myopia (defined as < -6 diopters) is caused by excess elongation of the eye. Prevalence is expected at 10% of global population by 2050
Theialife anticipate launch of clinical trial phase 3 in early 2026.

Theialife has also a rich pipeline of differentiated assets spanning early discovery to pre- clinical stages, strategically addressing global ophthalmology market such as dry eye and Wet AMDTheialife is a U.S. incorporated, virtual ophthalmology drug development company spun out of Bioplus Life Science, World leader in CMC development of Pharmaceuticals, head quarter in Bengalore.

Theialife is focused on development of treatments for Eye diseases, with high-impact innovation.
The lead asset, ND10ER, is a Novel Oral Therapeutic, ready for phase 3 stage, aimed at effectively preventing Myopia progression in children with already High Myopia.
High Myopia (defined as < -6 diopters) is caused by excess elongation of the eye. Prevalence is expected at 10% of global population by 2050
Theialife anticipate launch of clinical trial phase 3 in early 2026.

Theialife has also a rich pipeline of differentiated assets spanning early discovery to pre- clinical stages, strategically addressing global ophthalmology market such as dry eye and Wet AMD

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Hidenaga Kobashi, CEO - Toneasy

Glaucoma is defined as a disease characterized by functional and structural abnormalities of the eye that have characteristic changes in the optic nerve and visual field, and in which optic nerve damage can usually be improved or suppressed by sufficient lowering of intraocular pressure (Japan Glaucoma Guideline). Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Japan. A detailed glaucoma epidemiological study conducted from 2000 to 2002 (Iwase et al. Tajimi Study. Ophthalmology. 2004) showed that the prevalence of glaucoma in Japanese people aged 40 years or older was 5.0%, with an estimated number of patients in 2016 of 4.65 million. In glaucoma, the damage gradually progresses without the patient's awareness, so it is important to prevent or suppress the progression of the damage through early detection and early treatment. Lowering intraocular pressure is the only treatment for glaucoma, and eye drops are used, but intraocular pressure fluctuates during the day, making it difficult to administer eye drops at the appropriate time. Although it is desirable to always know the intraocular pressure, patients do not have frequent access to medical institutions and are therefore not able to always keep track of the intraocular pressure. If patients can measure intraocular pressure easily and safely at home, (1) it will be easier to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and medication adherence will improve. In other words, behavioral changes can be expected. (2) It will contribute to further elucidation of the pathology of glaucoma. (3) It will reduce congestion in ophthalmology clinics. (4) It will lead to reduced medical costs if eye drops to lower intraocular pressure are used only when necessary (when intraocular pressure rises). This device measures intraocular pressure through the eyelid, so it can be measured easily and safely. It will also achieve an overwhelmingly low price. The customers are glaucoma patients, who are the end users of this device. In the future, tonometers will be distributed at home electronics retailers like blood pressure monitors. With the recent deregulation of online medical care and remote health medical consultations, patients can now receive interviews, examinations, consultations, and treatments without visiting a medical institution. This device has excellent compatibility with online medical care and allows doctors and patients to share intraocular pressure data, making it a good fit for online glaucoma treatment and an indispensable medical device.

Sven Mentink
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Sven Mentink, Director, Ophthalmology - Uneedle

Uneedle, based in the Netherlands, specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced silicon microneedles for intradermal and suprachoroidal injections. Their proprietary technology, CE marked and FDA approved, enables precise and easy-to-use solutions for medical applications such as cancer vaccines and ophthalmic therapies. Uneedle's device platform facilitates efficient drug delivery with improved patient compliance. The company operates a GMP-compliant manufacturing site and is ISO13485 certified, partnering with pharmaceutical companies to enhance drug administration methods.

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Grace Chang, MD, PhD, CEO & Founder - VIDEANT

VIDEANT is dedicated to saving vision, cost-effectively, at scale. We are revolutionizing eye care by breaking down barriers to access with affordable, easy-to-use retinal imaging. Ours is the first and only AI-enabled, self-administered OCT system delivering best-in-class images at roughly one-tenth the cost of current devices. It not only increases efficiencies, revenue, and cost savings within eye care specialty clinics, but also goes far beyond—bringing retinal imaging for the first time into frontline settings such as primary care offices, pharmacies, mobile clinics, and community spaces. By enabling early detection and continuous monitoring, VIDEANT aims to preserve vision for millions of patients, create new financial value for providers, and save the healthcare system billions of dollars.

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Dominic Sauvageau, CTO - Zilia

Zilia is a health technology company deve+A17:D20loping a groundbreaking platform to non-invasively measure biomarkers in the eye, with an initial focus on ocular oximetry. By integrating advanced photonics and artificial intelligence, Zilia's first-of-kind technology is intended to leverage the eye's optical properties and direct connections to the vascular system and the brain to capture critical information on ocular and overall health. Zilia is actively developing its oculomics platform with projects in ocular health, neurology and cardiology.