Rheon Medical commercializes the eyeWatch system, a unique ocular implant paired with an external control device that allows tight control of intraocular pressure. The company says the eyeWatch’s pressure control provides better and safer therapy compared with presently marketed shunts. The eyeWatch received CE mark regulatory clearance in Europe in 2019. Rheon cites outstanding clinical results as the basis for broader patient adoption. The company raised CHF 5.6 million in a Series C to support growth. Proceeds will be used to expand commercial activities in Europe and to initiate the FDA approval process. Rheon Medical develops, produces and commercializes drug-device products and therapeutic components for ophthalmology. The company was conducting single-center clinical studies in the Lausanne region and plans to expand to multicenter clinical trials in Switzerland and Europe. The stated goal of the trial expansion is to collect data to support a product launch in the second quarter of 2017. Financially, Rheon received an early loan of CHF 500,000 from the Fondation pour l’innovation technologique (FIT). The loan is interest-bearing and provided without a personal guarantee; FIT’s early loans are intended for companies in commercial development that are seeking private investors. The funds are earmarked to support the clinical program and advance commercialization preparations. Rheon Medical develops the eyeWatch, an adjustable glaucoma drainage implant that lets physicians personalize post-operative intra-ocular pressure control. The device aims to optimize treatment and reduce complication rates by providing unprecedented control for clinicians. The company is based in the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne. It has closed a financing round led by BlueOcean Ventures SA. BlueOcean is an investment firm focused on early-stage medical device and life-science companies. As part of the investment, Thomas Zehnder, a general partner at BlueOcean Ventures, will join Rheon Medical’s board of directors. Founder Nikos Stergiopoulos previously founded startups including EndoArt SA and Antlia SA; EndoArt was sold to Allergan in 2007.

Total raised

$7M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Dec 2020