Australia's Bionic Vision Technologies (BVT) has raised AUS$23m ($18m) from Hong Kong-based investors, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd and State Path Capital Limited, to develop and commercialize its retinal implant device. The technology could reach the market 3-5 years from now.
Australian firm Bionic Vision Technologies (BVT) has scored a AUS$23m ($18m) cash investment from Hong Kong-based backers to advance its retinal implant aimed at restoring vision to the blind.
BVT said it would use the funds to begin human clinical trials of its "bionic eye" in patients with the inherited degenerative eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa
Barcelona-based accelerator S2 Xpeed is driving the rapid growth of medtech and hardware start-ups in Europe. Operating under a "sweat equity" model, the program helps early-stage companies move from prototype to manufacturing readiness in exchange for equity. This month, the accelerator will add a fourth cohort of 10 more start-ups, five of which are in the medtech space.
Seonix launched SightScore, the first clinical polygenic risk score test for glaucoma available in the US, and plans to introduce more genetic-based tests for eye conditions such as macular degeneration.
The US FDA released six more device classifications in early September, including products from Edwards, Interscope, and Baxter Healthcare.
The program, which brings together innovators and device industry stakeholders, helps ease the path to market for novel devices.
