Ciliatech Releases New Design of Glaucoma Surgical Device CID

Ciliatech announced the release of a new design of its CID (cilioscleral interpositioning device) following the filing of additional patents strengthening its IP (intellectual property). CID is the unique glaucoma surgical device used in the cilioscleral technique to lower IOP while preserving the anterior chamber of the eye, which in turn avoids serious medical complications, notably endothelial cell loss (ECL) or a filtration bleb. The cilioscleral technique has the ability to treat both open angle or angle-closure glaucoma.

Ciliatech says the new patents protect modifications in the shape and geometry of CID, principally to further improve its perfomance and safety. This second-generation CID, currently in clinical trials, makes the cilioscleral technique less invasive and traumatic to the eye; the conjunctiva is better protected, and incisions are smaller.

“We are highly satisfied with the performance of our second-generation of CID. We redesigned it to provide an unequaled safety profile, and enhanced IOP reduction and maintenance, without medication over time,” Philippe Sourdille, co-founder of Ciliatech and inventor of CID, said in a company news release. “The new CID improves the very positive results we already achieved with our first-generation device across all aspects: performance, safety, surgical technique and post-op medication. This shows that Ciliatech has progressed in understanding the key underlying mechanisms monitoring aqueous humor circulation. We are identifying important parameters that leverage clinical outcomes. This is the CID design we will file for CE marking and will introduce to the market in 2025.”

Ciliatech secured patents on substantial revisions to the shape of the CID implant to improve both the water collection from the anterior chamber and its circulation down to drainage channels. The overall size was also slightly modified to allow smaller incisions and further reduce the invasiveness of the procedure.

Preliminary results in a 12-month clinical study (SAFARI III) of 57 patients fitted with the new design have shown that this second-generation CID tends to deliver better IOP control, 13.9 mmHg compared to 15.1 mmHg in earlier studies (SAFARI I & II) using the first-generation model. In the SAFARI III 12-month results, more than 85% of patients reported being medication free.

For surgeons, this new model makes the cilioscleral procedure quicker (less than 15 minutes) and easier to perform, further reducing the learning curve. CID can be used similarly to a MIGS device in patients with open angle glaucoma. Unlike MIGS, it can be used to treat primary angle closure glaucoma without the need to remove the lens, according to Ciliatech.
 
“With stronger IOP reduction, this second-generation CID may also be beneficial for more advanced glaucoma cases, helping a larger number of patients to postpone the need for traditional incisional approaches,” said Olivier Benoit, CEO of Ciliatech.