• ViaLase

  Participated · Series C · Apr 2024

  ViaLase is a clinical-stage medical technology company based in Aliso Viejo, CA focused on addressing unmet needs in the conventional glaucoma treatment paradigm. Its core product is the investigational ViaLase Laser, which combines femtosecond laser technology and micron-level image guidance to deliver a noninvasive procedure called femtosecond laser image-guided high-precision trabeculotomy (FLigHT). The FLigHT procedure creates channels in the trabecular meshwork to lower intraocular pressure through a noninvasive, nonsurgical approach, providing physicians with precision and visibility. The company is led by founder and CEO Tibor Juhasz, PhD. ViaLase intends to use recent financing to advance clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones for the ViaLase Laser; the device is investigational and not approved for commercial use.

• Neurolens

  Participated · Equity · Sep 2022

  Neurolens offers patented Contoured Prism prescription lenses designed to bring the eyes into alignment and relieve headaches, neck/shoulder pain and eyestrain. The company recently launched the N3, a device that measures eye misalignment down to a fraction of a prism diopter to help eyecare providers fit contoured prism lenses more accurately. Neurolens' technology is distributed through Independent Eye Care Providers and is positioned to improve patient comfort beyond visual acuity alone. Management says the company continues to experience double‑digit growth each year and is focused on expanding adoption among optometry practices. The company plans to use new capital to accelerate deployment of N3 devices and broaden access to contoured prism technology across the U.S. and Canada. Neurolens commercializes prescription lenses built on its patented Contoured Prism technology to improve comfort and bring the eyes into alignment. The design aims to relieve headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and eyestrain that many adults experience when using digital devices, reading, or doing detail work. Neurolens emphasizes treatment beyond visual acuity to address symptomatic comfort for the majority of affected adults. Its technology is distributed exclusively through Independent Eye Care Providers. Led by CEO Pierre Bertrand and based in Dallas, TX, the company is focused on product innovation and market growth. Neurolens raised $67M and intends to deploy the proceeds for continued product innovation and growth initiatives.

• Aurion Biotechnologies

  Participated · Series C · Apr 2022

  Aurion Biotech is a clinical-stage company developing a cultured donor-derived cell therapy to treat corneal edema secondary to endothelial dysfunction. Its lead candidate, acquired in 2020 from Kyoto Prefecture University of Medicine and developed by Professor Shigeru Kinoshita and colleagues, is one of the first clinically validated cell therapies in corneal care. Cells manufactured from a single donor can treat more than 100 recipient eyes; clinical studies treating over 100 patients in Japan and El Salvador have shown durable improvements in visual acuity, endothelial cell density and corneal thickness. The company is preparing a J-NDA for market approval in Japan and an IND to initiate U.S. clinical trials. Aurion says the target population for its therapy is approximately 16 million people in the US, Europe and Japan. Proceeds from its recent financing will be used to advance the cell therapy program toward regulatory and clinical milestones.

• TearClear

  Participated · Series B · Aug 2020

  TearClear is a Boston, MA-based ophthalmic pharmaceutical company advancing multiple clinical programs, with two lead candidates targeting glaucoma. The company plans to use new funding to advance those clinical programs and pursue future indications. TearClear is led by Chief Executive Officer Robert Dempsey. It recently appointed Stuart Raetzman, formerly CEO of Galderma, to its board of directors. The announcement emphasizes progress across its glaucoma candidates as the near-term clinical focus. TearClear is an Orange County, California-based eye health technology company developing a delivery system to enable preservative-free topical ophthalmic drugs from existing preserved, multi-dose systems. The company's technology targets drugs used to treat chronic ophthalmic diseases where benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is commonly used to assure sterility. TearClear aims to address the global market for ophthalmologic drugs, including treatments for glaucoma, over-the-counter dry eye, and allergic conjunctivitis. Leadership includes CEO Kevin Hershfield, Chairman Rick Heinick, Chief Science & Technology Officer Richard D’Souza, Head of Clinical Development Howard Golub, and inventor Anuj Chauhan. The company raised $4.5M in Series A financing and plans to use the proceeds to advance development of its delivery system for preservative-free ophthalmic drugs. William Link, PhD, with executive and investment expertise in ophthalmology, was appointed to the board of directors as part of the financing.

• Oyster Point Pharmaceuticals

  Participated · Series B · Feb 2019

  Oyster Point Pharma is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for Dry Eye Disease. Its lead candidates, OC-01 and OC-02, are delivered via an ocular surface-sparing nasal spray designed to stimulate the trigeminal parasympathetic pathway and promote natural tear-film production. In Phase 2b studies, patients administered either OC-01 or OC-02 experienced rapid and significant improvements in both signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, and both candidates were well-tolerated with no significant ocular adverse events or drug-related serious adverse events. The company plans to initiate a Phase 3 clinical development program and to advance additional pipeline assets while exploring new treatment areas. Oyster Point will use the $93 million Series B proceeds to support clinical development, explore new treatment areas, and add key talent. The company leverages nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists to target receptors on the trigeminal nerve accessible within the nose to activate the Lacrimal Functional Unit. Oyster Point Pharmaceuticals is a San Francisco, CA–based clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies to treat ocular surface disease. Its core programs center on lead compounds targeting dry eye and other ocular surface disorders. The company completed a $22M Series A financing. The round was led by New Enterprise Associates and Versant Ventures. Oyster Point intends to use the proceeds to fund Phase II clinical trials of its lead compounds. Jeffrey Nau, Ph.D., MMS, serves as President and CEO.

No current team members are available.