TECLens Secures $9.3 Million Series A Funding to Advance Its Noninvasive Refractive Technology

TECLens announced it raised $9.3 million in a Series A round to support the clinical development of the company’s non-incisional refractive correction procedure that leverages corneal cross-linking (CXL) to reshape the cornea.

The funding round was co-led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation–JJDC Inc. and Yonjin Capital. Other investors include Rimonci Capital, and Sunmed Capital. The funding is 

“We're incredibly excited to garner investor support from both industry veterans and newcomers to the ophthalmology sector,” Thomas Dunlap, CEO of TECLens, said in a company news release. “This collective backing of our investors is a powerful endorsement of both our quantitative corneal cross-linking technology and our mission to deliver a noninvasive and cost-effective refractive treatment for millions of people with vision disorders. We're honored by their support and view this as a strong validation of our innovative approach to addressing both refractive and therapeutic unmet needs in eye care.”

Traditional CXL uses riboflavin and ultraviolet light to strengthen the cornea. TECLens’ proprietary Quantitative Corneal Cross-Linking (qCXL) is designed to deliver a pre-calculated pattern and dose of UV light based on a computational biomechanics model of each patient’s eye. The company’s proprietary CXLens device is designed to comfortably deliver the UV light and treatment progression in real-time with an on-board ultrasound sensor to ensure adherence to the pre-plan, enhancing precision.

The CXLens device, designed for use in the exam room, has been successfully demonstrated in eyes with keratoconus. TECLens is now advancing clinical studies for refractive correction, with a primary focus on presbyopia. Potential future applications include pediatric progressive myopia, low-order adult myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.