Participated · Series A · Jul 2024

RetiSpec develops AI solutions applied to non-invasive retinal images to identify neurodegenerative disease markers and provide real-time results at the point of care. Its first clinically validated AI is intended to predict amyloid burden to aid evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease. RetiSpec’s solutions are currently available for Research Use Only. The company aims to enable widespread early and accurate detection of neurodegenerative disease through a routine eye exam. Leadership is headed by co-founder and CEO Eliav Shaked. The company is based in Toronto, Canada and has raised $17M USD to date.

Led · Series A · May 2024

Ikerian, with subsidiary RetinAI, builds software solutions that apply advanced machine learning and computer vision to medical image and data management across ophthalmology, neurodegenerative disorders, vascular conditions, and rare diseases. Its RetinAI products include RetinAI Discovery® and Discovery CONNECT™, tools designed to collect, organize, and analyze eye health data to support clinical and research decision-making. The company plans to use newly raised funds to continue development and commercial rollout of RetinAI Discovery®, its AI models and Discovery CONNECT™, increase automation and data connectivity in ophthalmology and optometry care, and integrate AI-driven patient pre-screening to accelerate clinical studies. Ikerian also intends to continue building a database of real-world evidence (RWE). The company is led by Dr. Carlos Ciller, Chairman and CEO of Ikerian and CEO of RetinAI. RetinAI has established collaborations with ophthalmology and pharmaceutical organizations including RetinAI Consultants of America (RCA), Boehringer Ingelheim, J&J and Novartis. Ikerian AG (formerly RetinAI Medical AG) develops AI-driven software solutions to accelerate clinical, research and pharmaceutical workflows, with a commercial focus on ophthalmology and optometry through its RetinAI U.S. subsidiary. Its flagship platform, RetinAI Discovery®, collects, organizes and analyzes eye health data to help clinicians and researchers make faster, more informed decisions. The company intends to expand beyond ophthalmology into new therapeutic areas, prioritizing neurodegenerative disorders, vascular conditions and rare diseases. Ikerian completed a corporate restructuring in 2023 to reposition the parent as Ikerian AG and to have RetinAI U.S. focus on the ophthalmology market. Led by CEO Dr. Carlos Ciller, the team leverages clinical, technical and scientific expertise to support a shift from reactive to preventive care for severe eye diseases. Financially, the company has raised equity totaling USD 11.66M (CHF 10.66M) to date. RetinAI, founded in 2016 and based in Bern, has developed the ‘Discovery Platform,’ an AI-driven system that integrates and analyzes clinical and research workflows at eye clinics and health institutions. The platform’s algorithms assist detection of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and glaucoma, and support monitoring of disorders including Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. CEO Carlos Ciller says the company focuses on organising unstructured data from medical devices and electronic health records to help clinicians identify patterns faster. RetinAI presents digested and funnelled information to users in a rich manner so clinicians can reach conclusions and take actions more quickly. The company plans to use new funding to hire additional staff and to accelerate certification of its solutions. It reported landing CHF 2.3 million in the round. RetinAI has developed a processing software that analyses OCT and fundus photography using machine learning to automatically identify pathological biomarkers for use in diagnosis. The system is designed to be easy to use and to deliver faster results, assisting doctors throughout medical examination procedures. The company has been collaborating with hospitals and universities and took part in the Venture Leaders Life Science program in June 2017. RetinAI previously acquired CHF 300,000 in seed money in mid-2017. It was awarded CHF 130,000 by Venture Kick and will use those funds to start clinical validation of its software and to grow its staff. The startup aims to improve preventive medicine and support eye-care professionals and patients in reducing or reversing the onset of blindness.

Led · Series A · Apr 2023

Toku applies artificial-intelligence algorithms to retinal photographs, turning routine eye-exam images into a non-invasive screening tool for systemic diseases such as cardiovascular events, stroke and diabetes. The company’s platform looks for biometric markers in the retina and is designed to be compatible with widely used retinal cameras, enabling rapid deployment in optometry clinics and other care settings. Management claims that more than 80% of cardiac events and diabetes-related blindness could be prevented with earlier risk identification, a gap the technology aims to close. Proceeds from its recent financing will accelerate product development and commercialization, with strategic support from leading vision-care partners. National Vision will help integrate the software across its extensive retail network, while Topcon Healthcare will contribute data-science expertise and hardware integration. Toku ultimately envisions affordable, point-of-care retinal analytics that bridges eyecare and primary care, expanding access to potentially life-saving diagnostics.