StemSight develops off-the-shelf cell therapies using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells combined with functional biomaterials to regenerate retinal cells. The company targets corneal blindness caused by degenerative eye diseases, aiming to restore vision through effective cellular interventions.
Funding
$590.6K 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.
ATFounders
Product
Problem
Corneal blindness, often caused by degenerative eye diseases, presents a significant unmet medical need due to the limited availability of donor corneas and the complexities of traditional transplantation procedures. Current treatments may not fully address cases with extensive damage or bilateral disease, leaving patients with impaired vision or complete blindness.
Solution
StemSight is developing off-the-shelf cell therapies utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) combined with functional biomaterials to regenerate corneal tissue and restore vision. Their approach focuses on accelerating tissue regeneration, enhancing the safety profile of cell therapies, and simplifying cell delivery. The core technology involves differentiating iPSCs into corneal epithelial stem cells, which are then integrated into a biomaterial scaffold designed to replace damaged cells on the eye's surface. This contact lens-like biomaterial aims to provide a readily available and effective treatment option for patients suffering from corneal blindness, even in cases where traditional transplantation is not feasible.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with corneal blindness caused by degenerative eye diseases, as well as ophthalmologists and medical professionals seeking innovative solutions for vision restoration.
Features
- Utilizes induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate corneal epithelial stem cells.
- Combines iPS-derived cells with functional biomaterials to enhance tissue regeneration.
- Develops off-the-shelf cell therapies for readily available treatment options.
- Aims to simplify cell delivery with a contact lens-like biomaterial.
- Focuses on addressing unmet medical needs in corneal blindness, including cases with bilateral disease.
- Participating in the EU-funded KeratOPrinter project to develop full-thickness, biocompatible corneas using advanced bioprinting technology.