BOSTON, July 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Qura Inc. today announced that Santen Ventures, Inc. has made a $1 million investment in Qura’s Series A financing to support the development and commercialization of the Qura QSmart™ System, a wireless, implantable pressure sensor and monitoring system designed to continuously detect and track changes in intraocular pressure (IOP). Santen Ventures is participating in the Series A round which was originally initiated and sponsored by InFocus Capital Partners.
“We are excited that Santen Ventures chose to support the development of this first-to-market approach of actively measuring and monitoring glaucoma in real-time,” said Robert Rothman, MD, Managing Partner at InFocus Capital Partners. “Santen’s involvement highlights the potential of the QSmart™ system, both in terms of its importance and its broad application.” Dr. Rothman and his founding partner at InFocus, Dr. Ron Weiss, are academically affiliated and board-certified ophthalmologists.
The QSmart™ System uses a micro-sized wireless implantable pressure sensor that can be programmed to the physician’s exact specifications to continuously monitor and collect the most relevant data concerning IOP changes. The information will then be delivered to a desktop computer, handheld device or tablet, allowing physicians to evaluate the effectiveness of current glaucoma treatment for their patients in real-time. The system is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
“Consistent and reliable monitoring of intraocular pressure has been a challenge in glaucoma disease management. Continuous monitoring of IOP is an important measure that can help inform physicians about potential risk of disease severity or progression,” said Naveed Shams, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Global Research and Development of Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. “Santen is focused on finding therapeutic and technology solutions, such as the QSmart™ wireless pressure monitoring system, that have the potential to address an unmet need and improve outcomes for glaucoma patients.”
About Qura, Inc.
Qura, Inc. ( www.Qura.biz ) has developed QSmart™, the first active, wireless and continuous eye pressure sensor and monitoring system for glaucoma that collects actionable data in real-time that can facilitate timely and targeted medical or surgical intervention for the 80 million people in the world affected by glaucoma.
About Santen Ventures, Inc.
Santen Ventures, Inc., a corporate venture capital fund wholly owned by Santen Holdings U.S., Inc., is committed to investing in promising early-stage companies working on innovative technologies that have the potential to address unmet medical needs in ophthalmology around world. As part of a global ophthalmic specialized company, Santen Ventures offers deep expertise and network to help early-stage entities advance ophthalmic innovations.
About Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
As a specialized company dedicated to ophthalmology, Santen carries out research, development, marketing, and sales of pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products, and devices. Santen is the market leader for prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals in Japan and its products now reach patients in over 60 countries. With scientific knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over a nearly 130-year history, Santen provides products and services to contribute to the well-being of patients, their loved ones and consequently to society. For more information, please visit www.santen.com .
About InFocus Capital Partners
InFocus Capital Partners ( www.infocuscapitalpartners.com ) is a venture capital fund specializing in the identification, capitalization and development of breakthrough and disruptive opportunities in the ophthalmic space. The team and advisors at InFocus are accomplished ophthalmologists, ophthalmic executives, and seasoned finance professionals who are well-positioned to understand and evaluate life-science investments.
CONTACT
Qura Inc. Doug Adams doug@qura.biz
InFocus Capital Partners Robert Rothman, MD rrothman@infocuscapitalpartners.com
Santen Inc. Tanya Shnaydman Director, Corporate Communications Tanya.Shnaydman@santen.com
