LambdaVision Raises $7M for Space-Made Artificial Retina

LambdaVision has secured $7 million in seed funding to support the preclinical development and production scale-up of its investigational therapy designed to restore vision in individuals affected by retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Funding to Support Research and Microgravity Manufacturing

This capital injection will bolster LambdaVision’s ongoing research efforts and expand its space-enabled manufacturing process. The company’s microgravity-based production technique has already been validated in nine missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS), showcasing its innovative use of space environments for biomedical manufacturing.

“This seed round funding will help bring us closer to clinical trials and continue to pioneer scalable production of our artificial retina, including manufacturing techniques implemented in low-Earth orbit,” said Nicole Wagner, PhD, CEO of LambdaVision.

Artificial Retina Based on Photoactive Proteins

LambdaVision’s artificial retina technology employs photoactive proteins to replicate the function of natural photoreceptor cells. These proteins are designed to absorb light and stimulate the remaining retinal neurons in patients who have lost their photoreceptor function, potentially restoring meaningful vision.

Microgravity: A Key to High-Precision Manufacturing

The company’s proprietary production method takes advantage of the microgravity environment on the ISS to produce ultra-uniform, 200-layer protein films. This level of precision is difficult to achieve under Earth’s gravity.

According to Dr. Wagner, the absence of gravity allows for enhanced layer-by-layer deposition of the protein films, a critical factor in ensuring consistent optical performance and biocompatibility. This innovation may lead to a next-generation prosthetic retina capable of restoring vision without the limitations often associated with electrode-based implants.