– BELGIUM, Wavre – iSTAR Medical SA, a private medical device company developing novel ophthalmic implants for the treatment of glaucoma, today announced the completion of a €40m Series C financing led by healthcare specialist funds LSP and Gimv, with participation by Earlybird and BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity. Existing shareholders including Capricorn Partners, Walloon Region Investment Fund and Belgian Federal Investment Fund also participated. This financing will support the development of iSTAR Medical’s MINIjectTM device along the path to commercialization in Europe and the United States.
In conjunction with the financing, Anne Portwich, Bram Vanparys, and Lionel Carnot will be joining the Board of Directors at iSTAR Medical.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of adult blindness globally affecting more than 92 million people. Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery is the most promising and fastest-growing therapeutic option in the treatment of glaucoma.
Michel Lussier, Chairman of the Board of Directors at iSTAR Medical, said: “We are delighted to welcome LSP, Gimv, Earlybird and BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity to iSTAR Medical, and I would like to thank our existing investors for their continued support. This renowned investor syndicate has a track record of supporting successful, innovative companies and is a strong endorsement of our world-leading technology for glaucoma sufferers.”
MINIject, an ab-interno MIGS device, provides a powerful and reliable solution to safely reduce intraocular pressure by enhancing aqueous humor outflow from the anterior chamber to the supraciliary space and has been designed to be a best-in-class MIGS device. Unlike other technologies, MINIject uses the innovative STAR material, a soft and flexible, medical-grade silicone with a micro-porous, multi-channel geometry.
Data from the first-in-human STAR-I trial for the MINIject device in a standalone setting confirm that MINIject is safe and highly effective in achieving significant IOP reduction, as well as easing medication burden in glaucoma patients.
Michel Vanbrabant, CEO of iSTAR Medical, commented: “iSTAR Medical is setting new frontiers in MIGS treatment of glaucoma. The positive results achieved at 18-month follow-up of our first-in-human trial validates the potential of MINIject in the supraciliary space as the next therapeutic option for glaucoma patients. This financing is a significant milestone for the company and will support the development and commercial launch of MINIject.”
Bram Vanparys, Partner at Gimv, commented on the news: “We are looking forward to help build iSTAR Medical to become the leading player in the MIGS field. With the support and expertise of a solid, specialized Life Science syndicate, iSTAR Medical now has all the tools to leverage and expand the excellent clinical results of MINIject.”
Anne Portwich, Partner at LSP, added: “Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery promises to revolutionize the treatment of glaucoma. We are very pleased to lead the investment in iSTAR Medical. MINIject’s innovative design and novel material, combined with the impressive clinical data from the STAR-I trial, demonstrate the potential of this device. We look forward to supporting the experienced management team as it progresses towards the commercialization of MINIject in Europe and plans for the upcoming US pivotal trial.”
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