The U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has endorsed the use of selective laser therapy treatment (SLT) instead of eyedrops as treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) and ocular hypertension. The shift would seem to drive spending in the U.K. away from drugs and toward devices for a condition afflicting nearly 10% of citizens over the age of 75.
PARIS – Mikajaki SA reported the commercial launch of Eyelib, a robotic ophthalmic diagnostics platform. One year after obtaining CE marking, the Swiss-based med-tech is rolling out a wide-scale launch of its automatic ophthalmology examination system onto the European market.
Beijing Microkpro Medical Instrument Co. Ltd. has received marketing approval for its artificial cornea from China’s NMPA. Miok Keratoprosthesis is the world’s first artificial cornea made of 100% non-biological materials and does not require co-implantation of donor corneas, according to Microkpro Medical.
Glaukos Corp. received a green light from the FDA for its Iprime device for the delivery of viscoelastic fluid during ophthalmic surgery, which could help the company to recover some of the revenue lost by cuts to reimbursement for its minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) product, Istent. A launch date has not been announced.
Israeli startup Ophthalmic Sciences Ltd. is targeting 2023 for regulatory clearance of its artificial intelligence (AI)-based contactless intraocular pressure (IOP) measuring device, IO Perfect. The technology, which combines AI visual analysis in a virtual reality headset, enables remote monitoring of glaucoma. The device is designed to be used at home, in eye clinics, emergency room departments, pharmacies and primary physician settings.
LONDON – The first commercial implantations of Istar Medical SA’s minimally invasive Miniject supraciliary glaucoma drainage device have taken place in Germany, following European CE approval for the product.
Beijing Airdoc Technology Co. Ltd. raised HK$1.67 billion (US$214.8 million) with its IPO on the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX) on Nov. 5, falling below its expectations of a $500 million raise. Share prices for the artificial intelligence-based (AI) medical imaging firm were priced at HK$75.10 apiece and dropped 3.5% to HK$72.50.
Tilak Healthcare SAS has received €7 million (US$8.08 million) from investors to push commercialization of its mobile game and vision monitoring platform, Odysight. The CE marked class I device is prescribed by ophthalmologists to remotely monitor age-related visual impairment and includes daily visual tests to stimulate cognitive and visual abilities. A rollout of the mobile game has already commenced in France.
Medical device accelerator Medtech Innovator and the Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (Apacmed) have selected Opharmic Technology (HK) Ltd. as the grand prize winner of its Asia Pacific Accelerator program. Opharmic has developed a noninvasive ultrasound platform technology for a variety of biomedical applications, with eye drug delivery being one of the key applications.
Glaukos Corp., of San Clemente, Calif., has taken another step forward in obtaining global market access for its Istent device for glaucoma with a positive coverage recommendation in Canada. Health Quality Ontario (HQO) has recommended that taxpayer dollars be used to cover the device in conjunction with cataract surgery, although the endorsement is limited to patients with mild to moderate glaucoma that is not well controlled with pressure-lowering medications.