Three months after dosing the first patient with its dual vector gene therapy, Splicebio SL has closed a $135 million series B to fund the phase I/II trial of SB-007 in the treatment of Stargardt’s disease to completion. Other adeno-associated viru gene therapies for the inherited retinal disorder have entered the clinic, but SB-007 is the first with the capacity to deliver a full version of the ABCA4 gene that underlies Stargardt’s.

Alcon AG plans to acquire Lensar Inc. for up to $430 million in a transaction expected to close in the latter half of the year. The acquisition will add Lensar’s Ally robotic cataract laser treatment system, Streamline software technology and Lensar legacy laser system to Alcon’s cataract surgery portfolio and expand global access to Lensar’s femtosecond laser technology.

Roche Holding AG and the University of Liverpool in the U.K. launched an initiative to improve the early detection of rare eye cancers with the help of the Ventana DP 600 digital pathology slide scanner.

Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine filed for protection of the development of a lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) visual prosthetic device with implantable electrode arrays that stimulate the LGN and restore vision.

A recent patent filing from Verily Life Sciences LLC seeks protection for the development of an ophthalmic drug delivery device with sensors and a camera which allow the delivery of a specific or controlled dose of a therapeutic agent in vapor form to a patient’s eye.

Up to 50% of glaucoma cases have a genetic component, a factor which could significantly change the screening recommendations and monitoring of patients – if they know their risk. Seonix Pty. Ltd. has a vision for making that genetic information easier to obtain and use to guide care with its Sightscore saliva-based test.

Essilorluxottica SA received U.S. FDA clearance for its over-the-counter Nuance Audio Glasses, which combines sight and sound technologies, to help people improve their vision and hearing. The device also received a CE mark certification under the Medical Devices Regulation from the EU authorities.

Eyebright Medical Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. is expanding its position in China’s phakic intraocular lens (IOL) market, gaining the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approval of its Loong Crystal PR phakic IOL product for myopia in adults in January 2025.

In what represents the first patenting from Eyecheq Inc., the company is seeking protection for its self-guided eye examination systems which may be mounted in easily movable and transportable kiosks, on tabletop stands, walls or suspended from ceilings.

Beyond its success in migraine and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Nu Eyne Co. Ltd. is advancing a portfolio of noninvasive, wearable trigeminal nerve stimulation devices across key three areas of neuromodulation, tissue regeneration and proliferation inhibition.