OcuCell Announces Funding from AltruVision and New Board Appointments

OcuCell announced it has received funding from AltruVision to enable OcuCell to continue advancing its Endo-Tek and Epi-Tek ocular cell therapy treatments.

Financial terms of the funding were not disclosed.

Established in 1957, AltruVision recovers over 1,500 eye donors per year, facilitating more than 1,000 corneal transplants annually. 

In addition to funding, AltruVision's President and CEO, Jim Quirk, will join the OcuCell Board of Directors. Sadeer Hannush, MD, will join the OcuCell Scientific Advisory Board.

“Dr. Hannush’s many years of leadership in the field of cornea are well known. He brings a commitment to ensuring that patients have access to the latest advancements in the field, coupled with his longstanding dedication to safety. His perspective will add additional depth to our already formidable group of clinicians and scientists,” Co-Founder Ula Jurkunas, MD, said in a company news release.

Mr. Quirk was recently elected to a 2-year term as the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Board Chair and served two terms as Co-Chair of the EBAA Accreditation Board.

“This investment aligns with our mission of improving vision through cornea transplantation, medical research, and education,” said Mr. Quirk. “We couldn’t be more excited about this new partnership, which will ensure AltruVision is helping to bring the most advanced forms of therapy to patients in need.”