Published in Pipeline

ViaLase closes $40 million Series C financing to advance first femtosecond laser for glaucoma treatment

ViaLase, Inc., a clinical-stage medical technology  company focused on addressing unmet needs in the conventional glaucoma treatment paradigm, announced that it has closed a Series C financing raising gross proceeds of approximately $40 million.

The financing was led by a new investor along with strong support from current investors, including Venture Investors Health Fund, Arboretum Ventures and Falcon Vision, an ophthalmology investment platform supported by KKR.

Proceeds from this round of financing will ensure the continued advancement of clinical,  regulatory, and commercial milestones of the company’s ViaLase Laser*. If approved, the ViaLase Laser will be the first femtosecond laser used for the treatment of primary open  angle glaucoma (POAG).

“ViaLase’s innovative approach to glaucoma management has the potential to elevate the  standard of care for glaucoma patients around the world,” said Jim Adox, executive managing director, Venture Investors. “We have strongly believed in ViaLase’s proven  leadership, brilliant team, and pioneering technology since we wrote the first seed check to  back the team.”

“The strong support from our investors validates the potential of the ViaLase Laser to enhance the current treatment paradigm for the millions of patients living with glaucoma,” said Tibor Juhasz, PhD, founder and CEO, ViaLase, Inc. “We are  preparing to embark on a new phase in our company’s evolution—commercialization — and are incredibly fortunate to have the support, resources, financial backing and counsel of such a high-caliber group of investors.”

The ViaLase Laser combines the precision of femtosecond laser technology and the  accuracy of micron-level image guidance to deliver a noninvasive glaucoma treatment  called femtosecond laser image-guided high-precision trabeculotomy, or FLigHT.

The novel FLigHT procedure will provide physicians with unparalleled precision and visibility  when creating channels in the trabecular meshwork (TM) to lower intraocular pressure  (IOP) through a noninvasive, nonsurgical approach.