ViaLase announces closure of financing series with $40 million for laser advancement

Image Credit: AdobeStock/peshkova

ViaLase has closed its Series C financing with approximately $40 million dedicated to the continued development of the ViaLuxe laser system. The laser, which still has clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones to hit, will be the first femtosecond laser to be used for the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) if approved, according to a new release.

“The strong support from our investors validates the potential of the ViaLase Laser to enhance the current treatment paradigm for the millions of patients living with glaucoma,” said Tibor Juhasz, PhD, founder and CEO of ViaLase in the release. “We are preparing to embark on a new phase in our company’s evolution – commercialization – and are incredibly fortunate to have the support, resources, financial backing and counsel of such a high-caliber group of investors.”

This most recent series of financing was led by a new investor in addition to the continued support from current investors, which includes Venture Investors Health Fund, Arboretum Ventures, and Flacon Vision, an ophthalmology investment platform supported by global investment firm KKR.¹

“ViaLase’s innovative approach to glaucoma management has the potential to elevate the standard of care for glaucoma patients around the world,” said Jim Adox, executive managing director of Venture Investors. “We have strongly believed in ViaLase’s proven leadership, brilliant team, and pioneering technology since we wrote the first seed check to back the team.”

The ViaLase laser system integrates both femtosecond laser technology precision and micron-level gonio image guidance accuracy to perform a noninvasive glaucoma treatment called femtosecond laser image-guided high-precision trabeculotomy (FLigHT).¹ The FLigHT procedure lowers IOP by creating channels of trabecular meshwork. This then creates customized drainage channels through the trabecular meshwork. These channels can be created without collateral damage to adjacent tissues. Additionally, the laser allows Bluetooth connection to a tablet that displays real-time procedure data and diagnostics.²

Other recent developments regarding the FLigHT procedure includes completion of enrollment the laser’s pivotal VIA-002 trial for the treatment of POAG in October 2023. A total of 152 participants are enrolled in the prospective, randomized, controlled, multi-center trial that has a primary endpoint of a reduction in mean unmedicated IOP from baseline to 6 months and 12 months.³

References:

1. ViaLase closes $40 million Series C financing to advance first femtosecond laser for the treatment of glaucoma. ViaLase. News release. Published April 1, 2024. Accessed April 1, 2024.

2. Redefine How You Treat Glaucoma. Vialase. Updated 2024. Accessed April 1, 2024. https://www.vialase.com/

3. ViaLase completes enrollment for the pivotal VIA-002 trial of the ViaLase laser to treat primary open angle glaucoma. ViaLase. News release. Published October 30, 2023. Accessed April 1, 2024.