TheiaNova Eyes Major Funding for Keratoconus Therapy

New Zealand-based biotech firm TheiaNova made a significant appearance as a finalist at the Eyecelerator event in Boston, where CEO Carissa Fonseca announced the company's initiative to raise $10 million for upcoming clinical trials. These trials, encompassing phases 1 and 2, are set to begin following promising data from a proof-of-concept study anticipated later this year in New Zealand.

A Vision for Noninvasive Treatment

“There are millions of people in the world living with keratoconus, an incurable condition which can lead to blindness. Our vision is that this treatment will give people living with keratoconus hope by providing a noninvasive, simple eye-drop solution to what has traditionally been a difficult-to-treat disease,” Ms. Fonseca explained in a news release.

The proposed treatment by TheiaNova is a painless, noninvasive therapy that involves administering two doses of eye drops daily over a three-week period. This regimen is designed to stimulate collagen regeneration within the eye, thereby restoring the cornea's rigidity.

Innovative Approach to Corneal Restoration

Professor Colin Green, a noted scientist with a background in co-founding biotech companies and holding over 465 patents, leads the development team. His work at the University of Auckland has been pivotal in crafting this new approach.

“TheiaNova’s unique approach rebuilds the cornea rather than simply attempting to retain already reduced collagen levels. It combines a human growth factor with a low dose of a steroid already approved for ocular use to trigger developmental pathways which induce cells in the cornea to temporarily change their behavior and secrete new collagen,” Prof. Green stated. “This is a world-first approach to rebuild the cornea’s structural integrity and to halt disease progression, whilst providing an innovative opportunity to correct lost vision in a predictable manner."

Potential Beyond Keratoconus

Ms. Fonseca also highlighted that the treatment's effectiveness isn't limited to just keratoconus; it has potential applications in treating post-refractive surgery ectasia and other similar corneal disorders which significantly affect patients' lives. Promising results from animal trials have shown that the combination of compounds used can effectively regenerate collagen and restore corneal rigidity.

Support and Future Directions

Initial seed funding for TheiaNova's pioneering research came from Bridgewest Ventures New Zealand, Auckland UniServices, and the Callaghan Innovation technology incubator program. The funds raised will also support the protection of new intellectual property and help define TheiaNova’s strategies for market access and reimbursement.

TheiaNova holds patents in several markets, including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, positioning it well for future advancements and global market entry.

About Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the normally round dome-shaped cornea begins to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This distortion causes light rays to be refracted irregularly as they enter the eye, leading to distorted and blurred vision, which can significantly impair the ability to perform daily tasks. The onset of keratoconus typically occurs during a person's teenage years or early twenties and can affect one or both eyes. The progression of the disease can vary; for some, it advances slowly over decades, while for others, it may progress more rapidly.