The startup is developing controlled-release drug depots for ocular drug delivery, enabling patients with age-related macular degeneration to receive treatment twice a year instead of requiring frequent intraocular injections. This technology utilizes approved drugs to improve treatment adherence and reduce the risk of incomplete therapy for eye diseases.
Funding
$2.6M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) require frequent intravitreal injections, placing a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems. Patient non-compliance and the strain on healthcare resources contribute to progressive sight loss and high treatment costs.
Solution
NanOptima is developing controlled-release hydrogel drug depots for ocular drug delivery, designed to reduce the frequency of intravitreal injections for patients with retinal diseases. The technology utilizes biocompatible and bioresorbable components to create drug depots that can be tuned to modulate drug release rates. By maintaining steady intraocular drug concentrations over prolonged periods, NanOptima aims to improve treatment adherence, reduce the number of required injections, and alleviate the strain on healthcare systems. The hydrogel delivery system is adaptable to a range of therapeutics, including standard-of-care drugs like bevacizumab and aflibercept.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes ophthalmologists and retinal specialists seeking to improve treatment outcomes for patients with AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and other retinal diseases, as well as healthcare systems aiming to reduce the burden of frequent intravitreal injections.
Features
- Sustained release of biologics for periods exceeding 4 months.
- High drug loading capacity within the hydrogel matrix.
- Adaptable to various therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, antibodies, and proteins.
- Injectable via a standard 30G needle, eliminating the need for specialized training.
- Optically transparent hydrogel formulation.
- Biocompatible and bioresorbable components for enhanced safety.
- Demonstrated excellent tolerability in in-vivo intravitreal injection studies.