Osheru LLC announced it has secured $4.7 million in seed funding to support advancing the continued development and commercialization of its blepharoplasty (eyelid) surgery device: the Ziplyft.
Along with this financing news, the company also named a new addition to its executive team.
First, a refresh of the company.
The Bend, Oregon-based, early-stage medical device company was launched in 2020 by co-founders Patricia Buehler, MD, MPH, and Knute Buehler, MD, MA, current CEO and chief operating officer (COO), respectively.
Its focus: Developing a first-of-its-kind, minimally-invasive surgery device for the eyelids.
Talk about the financing.
The oversubscribed funding round was led by “individuals and family offices,” the company reported, including investment from Nike’s co-founder (Phil Knight) as well as:
- Oregon ToughTech BreakThrough Fund
- Managed by ONAMI for Business Oregon
- SOPHINCAP
- Venture Capital Investment Fund of the global ophthalmology company Laboratorios Sophia
Now give me the rundown on this device.
Ziplyft is a patented, FDA Class 1 medical device designed to—essentially—make eyelid surgery easier for both the patient and surgeon.
Notable features:
- Clear design to enable visible viewing of the tissue marked for removal
- Serrated jaws for compressing the skin and sealing it to avoid bleeding or bruising
- Guarded blade for cutting and removing excess skin
- Skin ridge may be glued (tension-free) to eliminate suturing
Fun fact: Ziplyft won The Winning Pitch during the 2023 Eyecelerator at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting as well as the People’s Choice Award during Eycelerator at the 2024 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting.
Nice! Can you tell me a little bit about its development?
Osheru reported that the current size of the Ziplyft is based on “dimensions from reach on eyelid anatomy” and, based on clinical studies, fits “90% of patient anatomy.”
- However, the company noted that size and shape modifications can be made for patients with significant anatomic variations.
So what are the advantages of this for surgeons?
The device can be used during an in-office procedure (with reduced operative time), providing consistent and symmetric results.
Another benefit: There’s no need for intravitreal (IV) sedation.
And how long does the procedure take?
Less than 15 minutes for both upper lids, Osheru reported.
For physicians interested in learning more, complete this survey to watch a video on proper device usage.
How does it compare to other blepharoplasty procedures?
It’s specifically intended to address (and resolve) key obstacles associated with the standard surgical method, including extended recovery times and risk for complications like wound dehiscence and asymmetry.
Plus: A potential new cash-per-pay revenue stream for the Ziplyft would provide a potentially cheaper alternative to the current procedure costs (which are in the thousands of dollars).
And we can’t forget how long current lid surgeries take to perform: anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, in some cases.
What about the benefits of this for patients?
The company stated the resulting outcome should leave patients with a “more youthful, revitalized, and symmetric appearance,” as well as up to 25% improved peripheral vision.
- See before-and-after pictures of previous Ziplyft patients.
Industry fact: Blepharoplasty has been noted as one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States.
It looks like the device is already being tested on patients …
Indeed. Osheru reported it began using Ziplyft on patients in December 2023—and so far, it’s received “a positive response from patients and surgeons.”
Notable feedback has included:
- Patients’ lack of discomfort
- Relatively little bruising
- Natural resulting look
- Appreciation for no suture removal
Have any clinical studies been conducted on it?
That’s ongoing! A human pilot study is expected to kick off this summer with 100 to 200 participants across five clinical sites.
No specific details on that yet, but stay tuned!
So when might this become commercially available?
With this funding secured and clinical research underway, the company is slating for a 2025 U.S. launch.
The impact: Such a device like the Ziplyft could prove to be a groundbreaking alternative solution for ophthalmologists, oculoplastics, and facial plastic surgeons—not to mention aesthetic-seeking patients .
Lastly … I didn’t forget about that new executive appointment!
We didn’t either!
Along with its finance news, the company also announced it has appointed John Garland, a veteran executive in the ophthalmology industry with a background in medical device innovation and commercialization, as the new Chief Commercial Officer.