Pantheon Vision, an early-stage ophthalmic medical device company, has announced $2.5 million in seed financing from Baltimore-based KeraLink International (KLI).
"We are thrilled to have KeraLink provide our initial funding to establish Pantheon Vision as a company dedicated to bringing groundbreaking ophthalmic innovations to patients worldwide,” expressed John Sheets, PhD, CEO of Pantheon Vision. “This funding enables us to advance our program to eradicate corneal blindness and restore vision.”
Pantheon Vision is creating bioengineered implants to raise the standard of eye care globally and reduce reliance on donated corneal tissue, which is often unavailable in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The company will engage the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the coming months to guide plans for global product development.
The initial investment in Pantheon Vision was made by KeraLink International, a non-profit organization singularly focused on bringing clinicians, technology innovators, healthcare providers, philanthropists, and investors together to eradicate corneal blindness with an emphasis on LMICs.
Doug Furlong, chairman of the Board of Directors, KeraLink International, added, “We are pleased to have established Pantheon Vision and provided the initial funding to develop a tissue substitute to restore sight. With additional funding, Pantheon can accelerate its product development and further the KeraLink mission, which is based on the premise that being able to see should not depend on where you were born.”
Pantheon Vision is led by ophthalmic industry veteran, John Sheets, PhD. Dr. Sheets has led companies including Hoya and Elisar, and R&D organizations at Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, and Johnson & Johnson. He also headed the Office of Device Evaluation at the FDA. The company is comprised of additional ophthalmic industry executives and supported by a world-class Scientific Advisory Board.