Michael Barbella, Managing Editor02.08.24
KeraLink International Inc. (KLI) has funneled $2.5 million in seed funding to Pantheon Vision (PV) to help eradicate corneal blindness in both developed and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
“Working with generous donors and impact investors, we will fuse the power of market-based solutions with philanthropy to ensure corneal health in LMICs,” KLI President/CEO David Green said.
Pantheon Vision, an early-stage ophthalmic medical device company KLI established, will use the funding to develop bioengineered corneal implants to reduce reliance on donated corneal tissue, which is often unavailable in LMICs. By funding PV, KLI is engaged in a venture philanthropy strategy as part of its PEN approach to eradicating corneal blindness: Prevention of corneal blindness, Early detection and treatment of corneal conditions, and Novel therapies that are both effective and affordable for broad use in underserved and under-resourced LMICs.
“Development of novel therapeutic solutions is costly but critical to fulfilling our mission of eradicating corneal blindness,” KLI Board Chairman Douglas J. Furlong stated. “We are proud to support Pantheon Vision’s promising work and anticipate a return on this investment that will allow us to fund additional innovative products, technologies, and services.”
More than 12.7 million children and adults have lost their sight due to corneal injuries or infections, and millions more are either blind in one eye or live with seriously impaired vision. KLI is working to improve corneal health by advancing products, technologies, and services to eradicate corneal blindness with specific emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.
KeraLink International Inc. is a non-profit fueled by support from donors and investors. The Baltimore-based firm supports the discovery, development, and deployment of revolutionary yet sustainable and affordable technology solutions to improve corneal health.
Pantheon Vision develops advanced bioengineered solutions to treat corneal blindness. The company was formed and initially funded by KeraLink International; Pantheon Vision is led by ophthalmic industry veteran John Sheets, Ph.D, who has headed other companies including Hoya and Elisar, and R&D organizations at Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, and Johnson & Johnson. He also worked at the U.s. Food and Drug Administration, heading its Office of Device Evaluation.
“Working with generous donors and impact investors, we will fuse the power of market-based solutions with philanthropy to ensure corneal health in LMICs,” KLI President/CEO David Green said.
Pantheon Vision, an early-stage ophthalmic medical device company KLI established, will use the funding to develop bioengineered corneal implants to reduce reliance on donated corneal tissue, which is often unavailable in LMICs. By funding PV, KLI is engaged in a venture philanthropy strategy as part of its PEN approach to eradicating corneal blindness: Prevention of corneal blindness, Early detection and treatment of corneal conditions, and Novel therapies that are both effective and affordable for broad use in underserved and under-resourced LMICs.
“Development of novel therapeutic solutions is costly but critical to fulfilling our mission of eradicating corneal blindness,” KLI Board Chairman Douglas J. Furlong stated. “We are proud to support Pantheon Vision’s promising work and anticipate a return on this investment that will allow us to fund additional innovative products, technologies, and services.”
More than 12.7 million children and adults have lost their sight due to corneal injuries or infections, and millions more are either blind in one eye or live with seriously impaired vision. KLI is working to improve corneal health by advancing products, technologies, and services to eradicate corneal blindness with specific emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.
KeraLink International Inc. is a non-profit fueled by support from donors and investors. The Baltimore-based firm supports the discovery, development, and deployment of revolutionary yet sustainable and affordable technology solutions to improve corneal health.
Pantheon Vision develops advanced bioengineered solutions to treat corneal blindness. The company was formed and initially funded by KeraLink International; Pantheon Vision is led by ophthalmic industry veteran John Sheets, Ph.D, who has headed other companies including Hoya and Elisar, and R&D organizations at Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, and Johnson & Johnson. He also worked at the U.s. Food and Drug Administration, heading its Office of Device Evaluation.