Pantheon Vision Raises $2.5 Million in Seed Funding to Launch Development of Bioengineered Corneal Implant

Pantheon Vision has announced $2.5 million in seed financing from Baltimore-based KeraLink International (KLI), a non-profit organization singularly focused on  eradicating corneal blindness with an emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.

The funding will be used to launch the development of a bioengineered corneal implant.

"We are thrilled to have KeraLink provide our initial funding to establish Pantheon Vision as a company dedicated to bringing groundbreaking ophthalmic innovations to patients worldwide,” said John Sheets, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Pantheon Vision. “This funding enables us to advance our program to eradicate corneal blindness and restore vision.”

Pantheon Vision said it is aiming to create bioengineered implants to raise the standard of eye care globally and reduce reliance on donated corneal tissue, which is often unavailable in low- and middle-income countries. The company will engage the FDA in the coming months to guide plans for global product development.

Pantheon Vision is led by ophthalmic industry veteran John Sheets, PhD. Dr. Sheets has led companies including Hoya and Elisar, and R&D organizations at Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, and Johnson & Johnson. He also headed the Office of Device Evaluation at the FDA.