This startup provides autologous and allogeneic regenerative cell therapy services for front-of-eye degeneration and dysfunction. The company develops cell therapy products to treat eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, aiming to restore vision.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Corneal diseases, stemming from dysfunction of the epithelium or endothelium, can lead to visual impairment or blindness. Current treatments for conditions like Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) and endothelial disease often rely on scarce donor tissues, which can have variable quality and pose surgical challenges.
Solution
OcuCell is developing regenerative cell therapies to address corneal dysfunction and restore vision. For LSCD, they are creating therapies to replenish limbal stem cell populations, enabling the cornea to heal itself. Their Endo-Tek™ treatment for endothelial disease uses lab-grown corneal endothelial cells seeded onto a biocompatible hydrogel, expanding the supply of available tissue and improving surgical handling. This tissue-engineered approach aims to provide higher cell counts, enhanced quality control, and superior graft handling properties compared to traditional donor tissue transplants.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with corneal diseases such as Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency and endothelial dysfunction, as well as ophthalmologists and corneal surgeons seeking advanced treatment options.
Features
- Cultivated Autologous Limbal Epithelial Cells (CALEC) for restoring the corneal surface in patients with severe eye injuries
- Endo-Tek™: Human-derived cultured corneal endothelial cells seeded onto a biocompatible hydrogel
- Cell expansion technology allowing up to 60 corneal transplants from a single donor
- Engineered tissues designed for easier handling during surgery
- Quality control measures built into the manufacturing process for improved safety
- Hydrogel substrate that is biocompatible, strong, and optically transparent