ViaLase Closes $40 million Series C Financing to Advance First Femtosecond Laser for the Treatment of Glaucoma

ViaLase has closed a Series C financing with proceeds of approximately $40 million to continue advancement of clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones of the company's ViaLase Laser. If approved, the ViaLase Laser will be the first femtosecond laser used for the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

"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," Tibor Juhasz, PhD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ViaLase, said in a company news 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."

The ViaLase Laser is designed to combine the precision of femtosecond laser technology and the accuracy of micron-level image guidance to deliver a noninvasive glaucoma treatment called femtosecond laser image-guided high-precision trabeculotomy, or FLigHT.  The novel FLigHT procedure aims to provide physicians with precision and visibility when creating channels in the trabecular meshwork to lower IOP through a noninvasive, nonsurgical approach.

The financing was led by a new investor along with support from current investors, including Venture Investors Health Fund; Arboretum Ventures; and Falcon Vision, an ophthalmology investment platform supported by KKR.