Brightstar Therapeutics announced the closing of its Series A financing. The investment will fund the launch of its revolutionary approach to treating persistent epithelial defects and limbal stem cell deficiency with its advanced corneal allograft, BrightMEMTM.
The allograft encourages durable regeneration of the corneal epithelium, while providing protection for the underlying stromal tissue.
"We are thrilled to announce our Series A funding, which will allow us to bring our groundbreaking therapeutic solutions to patients in need," said Rajan Shukla, CEO of Brightstar Therapeutics. "Persistent epithelial defects and limbal stem cell deficiency can have life-changing effects on patients, and we are committed to developing therapies that redefine the standard of care, providing long-term beneficial solutions through simpler procedures with fewer complications."
The round is led by Saving Sight from Kansas City, MO, and joined by Miracles in Sight from Winston Salem, NC; University of Minnesota Discovery Capital from Minneapolis, MN; and VisionFirst Indiana Lions Eye Bank from Indianapolis, IN. The funding will facilitate the launch of clinical studies for BrightMEM, aimed at expanding its usage by corneal surgeons nationwide. Brightstar Therapeutics aims to leverage this patented technology to grow a pipeline of cell therapy products.
Saving Sight CEO Tony Bavuso stated, "Brightstar Therapeutics has the potential to greatly advance corneal treatments and allow for more corneal tissue to be utilized, resulting in more people receiving the gift of sight."
Appointment of CMO and CSO
Brightstar Therapeutics is proud to announce the appointment of Joseph Tauber, MD as its Chief Medical Officer and Joshua Hou, MD as its Chief Scientific Officer. With the addition of these experienced ophthalmologists, Brightstar Therapeutics is poised to accomplish its mission of improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for those living with corneal and ocular surface diseases.
Dr. Tauber is a highly respected ophthalmologist in practice in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a graduate of Harvard Medical School with dual fellowship training in the treatment and surgery of corneal diseases and ocular immunology.
He is also an internationally recognized authority on ocular surface disease and dry eye treatment and a regional specialist in the treatment of complex ocular infections. Dr. Tauber's work in the field of ocular surface and meibomian gland dysfunction has made him a key opinion leader in his field.
Dr. Tauber has been a principal investigator in over 150 research studies of high-risk corneal transplantation, inflammation and allergic eye diseases, corneal infectious diseases, and numerous studies related to dry eye syndrome. Dr. Tauber serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of numerous companies in the ocular surface space.
Dr. Hou is an Associate Professor and the Lyon Chair of Ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences at the University of Minnesota. He earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and completed his ophthalmology residency and cornea fellowship at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago.
He is an internationally recognized leader in ocular surface disease and limbal stem cell deficiency, as well as one of the highest volume surgeons in the nation for limbal allograft transplantation.
He currently leads an NIH-funded laboratory at the University of Minnesota that focuses on innovations in donor corneal tissue processing and tissue cellular therapies for treatment of ocular surface diseases. He is the primary inventor of Brightstar's patented technology.
He is also the Medical Director for Lions Gift of Sight eye bank and serves as the Chair of the Scientific Programs Committee of the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA).