EBS Technologies said today it raised $1.2 million (€1.1 million) in a new round of financing to support the company’s deep brain vision loss therapy. The round was led by Earlybird and High-Tech Gruenderfonds as well as 3 private investors, Berlin-based EBS said. The round is still open for additional investors. “We are very pleased […]
Optical/Ophthalmic
EP Global Communications challenges Google on smart contact lens
EP Global Communications (OTC:EPGL) threw down the gauntlet today, challenging Google (NSDQ:GOOG) on its much-ballyhooed smart contact lens program. Last summer Google announced a deal with the Novartis (NYSE:NVS) Alcon subsidiary to commercialize “smart” contact lenses that can measure blood glucose levels and transmit reports wirelessly. This morning EPGL claimed its patent portfolio covers technology that’s crucial to a number […]
Presbia pivotal Microlens trial nears end
Presbia (NSDQ:LENS) said Monday it is nearing completion of enrollment in a pivotal trial of its Flexivue Microlens implant designed to treat presbyopia and is on track to submit its final pre market approval module. The Dublin-based company said it has enrolled 300 patients, and submission of its final PMA module will come after the 24-month […]
Glaukos sees losses widen in Q2
Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS) yesterday reported widening losses during its 2nd quarter, but shares held on for the glaucoma-treatment focused company. Laguna Hills, Calif.-based Glaukos reported losses of $32.5 million, or $10.96 per share, on sales of $17.8 million for the 3 months ended June 30. That amounts to a whopping 1000% plus increase in losses on sales […]
Int’l Biomedical Devices closes $2m funding round
Early-stage medical device developer International Biomedical Devices said yesterday it closed a $2 million seed funding round, with funds slated to support product development and pre-clinical studies. Funds for the seed round of financing came from SCRA Technology Ventures’ SC Launch program, angel investors and management, IBMD said. “This round of funding will enable us […]
Ocular Therapeutix slides as Q2 beats rev, misses earnings
Ocular Therapeutix (NSDQ:OCUL) announced its 2nd quarter earnings on Monday, beating expectations on revenue but missing on earnings. Ocular Therapeutics reported losses of $9.6 million, or 45¢ per share, on sales of $459,000 for the 3 months ended June 30. That amounts to a 62% increase in losses on sales growth of 373% compared with […]
Google restructuring puts Life Sciences & Calico group under new umbrella
Google (NSDQ:GOOG) announced today a corporate restructuring that places it under the new parent company Alphabet. The company highlighted the separation of its med-device developer Life Sciences business and human-longevity focused Calico division. The new Google will be slimmed down, former Google CEO and now-Alphabet CEO Larry Page said, and separated from companies that run […]
Allergan closes $125m Oculeve buy
Allergan said yesterday it closed its purchase of dry eye disease device developer Oculeve for $125 million in up-front payments in addition to unspecified commercialization milestones. South San Francisco-based Oculeve is developing a product called OD-01, a non-invasive nasal neurostimulation device designed to increase tear production in patients with dry eye disease, Allergan said. Oculeve has completed […]
Glaukos iStent wins nod from Health Canada
Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS) said today it won approval from Health Canada for its iStent Inject trabecular micro-bypass stent designed for use in cataract surgeries to treat glaucoma. The newly cleared iStent inject is indicated for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery procedures to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma or pigmentary glaucoma, the Laguna Hills, […]
Glaukos wins iStent nod Down Under
Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS) said today it won approval from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration for its iStent Inject trabecular micro-bypass stent designed for use in cataract surgeries to treat glaucoma. The device is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure in adult patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma who are currently being treated with ocular hypotensive medication, the Laguna […]
Alcon’s sluggish Q2 hits Novartis
(Reuters) — A weak performance from eyecare division Alcon, plus the strong dollar, hit Novartis (NYSE:NVS) in the 2nd quarter, scuppering hopes that the Swiss drugmaker would raise its 2015 financial outlook. The difficulties at Alcon reflected lower sales of contact lenses, intraocular lenses and surgical equipment, offsetting a solid showing in pharmaceuticals and an impressive sales […]