PRESENTING COMPANIES
Ophthalmology Innovation Showcase
AcuFocus
AcuFocus, an ophthalmic medical device company, develops and markets small aperture products. The KAMRA® inlay and the IC-8® IOL are designed to provide patients with a true extended range of vision. The KAMRA inlay is the first FDA approved corneal inlay. The IC-8 IOL is not approved in the U.S.
Allotex
Allotex is developing the next generation of refractive corneal implants to treat presbyopia and hyperopia. Using sophisticated metrology and state of the art laser systems the company can produce precision lens less than a quarter of the thickness of a human hair. The lenses can be implanted as inlays under a shallow corneal flap or as onlays below the epithelium and on top of Bowman's membrane. It is expected that the biocompatibility of these natural lenses will make them the first choice for the corneal correction of presbyopia. A series of cases have been performed and a multi-center clinical trial will begin in Europe during the third quarter of 2018.
BlephEx
BlephEx, developer of the new, simple theory of dry eye disease based on biofilms, has developed the definitive way to debride the lid margins of years of accumulated biofilm, the source of inflammatory lid margin disease. Works as a stand alone treatment, and even better when paired with LipiFlow.
LashCam sends real time images of a diseased lid margin, to a device for simultaneous patient and doctor viewing. Great for patient education.
Now, introducing our third, and perhaps most important innovation for dealing with biofilm-induced dry eye disease. SymphonEyez is a device that uses a gentle electric current to vaporize biofilm not only on the lid margin, but within the meibomian and lacrimal glands as well. Now a treatment for aqueous insufficiency is finally available.
Cassini
Cassini pioneers smart and highly accurate corneal diagnostic solutions that are affordable, fast and user-friendly, providing care providers worldwide with advanced technology that best serves their patients.
Cassini helps cataract surgeons to better understand properties of the total corneal in order to improve outcomes and increase premium patient satisfaction and volume. Cassini offers a full suite of examinations required for toric, extended depth of focus and multifocal IOL implantation, including corneal topography, posterior corneal analysis, mesopic and photopic pupillometry and full color photography. The technology employs red, green yellow and infrared LEDs that are positioned in unique relationships, giving each one a GPS-like coordinate. Cassini employs the ray-tracing principle to measure relative position, using the color LEDs as triangulation points.
CorneaGen
CorneaGen is a mission-driven company, committed to transforming how ophthalmologists treat and care for the cornea. As the world's first cornea-focused company, CorneaGen is leading the way for new medical devices, biologics, therapeutics, and interventions for the treatment of the cornea.
iVeena Delivery Systems
iVeena is an ophthalmic clinical stage company focused on transforming the landscape and delivery of treatments for the leading causes of blindness. In 2017, it executed its first Phase 1/2a study for an implant that will enable drop-free cataract surgery. Its portfolio includes products for inhibiting retinal thickening, a topical eyedrop for keratoconus that has received FDA orphan designation, and gene therapy products for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. iVeena has earned 2 NEI Phase 1 SBIR grants and an NSF Phase 1 SBIR grant, as well as investment from a consortium of ophthalmologists, Park City Angel Network, and Salt Lake Life Science Angels.
Kedalion Therapeutics
Kedalion Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, venture-funded ophthalmic drug company based in Menlo Park, CA. Kedalion's AcuStream platform technology delivers topical drugs to the eye in a precise and accurate manner that enables comparable efficacy with an 80% reduction in dose compared to standard drops, and a significantly improved side effect profile along with patient comfort and convenience following self-administration. Comparable efficacy, substantially reduced side effects and improved comfort were all demonstrated in two recent Phase 1 studies in patients for two different drug classes. Kedalion’s pipeline of proprietary products will leverage the FDA’s 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway for efficient development programs to bring to market transformative therapies for the topical treatment of eye diseases for new and existing indications.
KERANOVA
KERANOVA is a young french startup, which has built the first surgical equipment able to perform a lens nucleus fragmentation (Photoemulsification ®) thanks to its ultrafast new generation femto laser multispot technology, combined with an intelligent robotic system, and in a single machine to perform a 80% automated cataract surgery procedure.
LacriScience
With our sensors, furnished with an abundance of chemistries, we can accurately identify and quantify a whole suite of ophthalmic disorders such as inflammation(MMP-9), Adenovirus,Tryptase, etc. Discuss bench and clinical data using the advanced stage of development of LacriPen, positioning it as the most versatile diagnostic technology SPR, in the industry.
Panoptes
Panoptes is a privately held clinical stage biotech company focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of severe eye diseases with high unmet medical need.
Panoptes has an experienced team of development experts with a proven track record of developing and commercializing innovative products.
PanIJect, the lead program consists of an anti IL-17 anti IFN-g immunomodulatory small molecule, when injected into the vitreous ameliorates all signs of inflammation in animal models for uveitis. PanIject is currently in clinical phase 1b/2a development for non-infectious uveitis.
The second anti IL-17, IFN-g program PanIDrop is a completely novel natural, conservative free form of eye drops and showed efficacy in viral conjunctivitis and dry disease animal models. This ocular surface program will enter clinical development for the indication dry eye disease in 2018.
Perfect Lens
Perfect Lens, LLC has developed a device which can alter the refractive properties of an implanted IOL. The device can adjust the diopter, asphericity and toricity of an implanted hydrophobic or hydrophilic IOL and can either add or remove multi-focality to that IOL. The range of alteration is up to 4 diopters and there is minimal diminution in the MTF of the treated IOL. The entire laser procedure, after docking, requires less than 45 seconds per eye.
PowerVision
PowerVision has developed a fluid-controlled accommodating IOL designed to restore youthful vision. The FluidVision® AIOL provides True Accommodation™ by mimicking the eye’s natural accommodative process to transport fluids inside it, creating true shape change. The Company has shown in clinical trials that it can deliver clear vision at all distances.
Refocus Group
Refocus Group Inc., is a pioneer in vision-correction technology and the developer of the VisAbility™ Micro Insert System designed to restore the full natural accommodative reflex of the presbyopic patient. The procedure is performed outside the visual axis, thereby preserving the patient's quality of vision at all distances. The VisAbility™ Micro Insert System is currently undergoing a US IDE Multi-Center Trial through Refocus Group Inc., Dallas, TX. The device is CE marked and available in Europe through Refocus Ocular B.V., Netherlands.
Spotlight on Dry Eye
Kala Pharmaceuticals
Kala is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology, with an initial focus on the treatment of eye diseases. Kala has applied the MPP technology to a corticosteroid designed for ocular applications, resulting in two lead product candidates. The product candidates are INVELTYSTM (KPI-121 1%) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery, for which an NDA has been accepted for review by the FDA, and KPI-121 0.25% for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
Oyster Point Pharma
Oyster Point Pharma is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies to treat ocular surface disease.
Sight Sciences
In 2011, Sight Sciences was founded to change the way the practice of ophthalmology and optometry thinks about and treats the leading causes of eye disease. Supported by leading medical technology and private equity investors, Sight Sciences operates two business lines: surgical and non-surgical systems. Its surgical product portfolio consists of the OMNI™ Surgical System, TRAB®360 and VISCO360® for use by ophthalmologists. Its non-surgical product portfolio consists of its TearCare™ technologies for use by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Tear Film Innovations
TearFilm Innovations, Inc., has created the iLux® system, a breakthrough medical device to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, the most prevalent form of dry eye disease.
The iLux handheld treatment device enables an eye care professional to quickly and easily apply heat and compression, under direct visualization, to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Treatment of the glands is performed by heating the lids with a proprietary light-based heat source to melt the meibum, while manually applying enough compression to the lid to express the melted meibum and thereby unblock clogged glands. The entire treatment is viewed by the eye care professional through a magnifying lens.
The management team is seasoned with deep experience in medical device development and commercialization in the ophthalmic space.
Public Spotlight
Aerie Pharmaceuticals
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a publicly traded pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of first-in-class therapies for the treatment of glaucoma and other eye diseases. Its lead product includes Rhopressa, a once-daily eye drop for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Rhopressa has been approved by the FDA and Aerie expects to launch the product by mid-second quarter 2018. The company is also developing Roclatan, a once-daily eye drop to reduce IOP that is in Phase III registration trials to treat patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a collaborative research and development agreement with Royal DSM NV. Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Irvine, California.
Ellex
Ellex works with leading physicians, technical institutions and universities to discover, develop and deliver new ways to treat of some of the world’s most prevalent eye conditions. Initially with SLT Selective Light Therapy, then through our 2RT® Retinal Rejuvenation Therapy, and more recently with the introduction of iTrack™ — our solution for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) — we’re expanding our focus on the development of restorative, rejuvenative treatment options that work holistically with the body’s natural healing ability.
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly pSivida Corp.) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic products in indications with high unmet medical need to help improve the lives of patients with serious eye disorders. The Company has developed 3 FDA-approved sustained-release treatments in ophthalmology. In addition, DEXYCU (dexamethasone intraocular suspension) 9% was approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 9, 2018.
Nicox
Nicox is an international ophthalmic company, with two out-licensed commercial-stage products, developing innovative solutions to help maintain vision and improve ocular health. The Company’s strategy is to maximise the potential of its proprietary nitric oxide (NO)-donating research platform and its products and product candidates through in-house development and industry-leading collaborations.