Corporate Venture
Investing in Promising Research and Early-Stage Companies
At Santen USA, we believe the greatest breakthroughs in ophthalmology come from pooling resources and working collaboratively. To that end, we’re committed to investing in promising academic and industry research and offering financial support for early-stage companies working on innovative technologies. Our aim is to accelerate innovations to serve unmet ophthalmology needs around the world.
Through our corporate venture capital fund, Santen Ventures, Inc., we seek to invest in drug-discovery to early clinical-stage innovations. Our ultimate objective is to help nurture young companies and early-stage innovations into full-scale business development opportunities for Santen Group. We offer our deep expertise and network built over a long history as an ophthalmic specialty company to strengthen access to the venture market and to help contribute to emerging solutions for important needs in ophthalmology.
As a company backed by more than 125 years of global pharmaceutical industry experience, we are a trusted partner for helping early-stage entities bring ophthalmology innovations to life and to market.
Current Areas of Interest
Santen Ventures, Inc. seeks investment opportunities globally, focused strategically on ophthalmology, including:
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Therapeutic solutions that fit our current focus areas
- Retinal diseases
- Glaucoma
- Dry eye and corneal disorders
- Refractive disorders
- Biomarkers and diagnostic tools
- Drug delivery systems
- Surgical and other devices
- Gene/cell therapies
- Digital health tools
- Other technologies and innovations that serve significant unmet needs in ophthalmology
Santen Ventures, Inc. Portfolio Companies
Is developing QSmart™ System, the first active, wireless eye pressure sensor and monitoring system that collects actionable data in real time for glaucoma disease management.
Regenerative Patch Technologies
Private US company developing proprietary technology for producing and delivering a membrane of stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells to treat dry age-related macular degeneration.
International Biomedical Devices, Inc. (IBMD)
An early-stage medical device company focused on ophthalmology innovations. Developing a capsulotomy surgical device for cataracts.
TearSolutions
University of Virginia-based start-up. Researching the use of a synthetic fragment of lacritin, a naturally occurring protein in human tears, to treat dry eye.
Santen Ventures, Inc. Recent Successful Exits
US biotech company developing first-in-class gene therapies for restoring vision in patients with blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. Acquired by Allergan, August 2016.
US developer of MicroShunt®, the first minimally invasive implant device and stand-alone procedure for primary open-angle glaucoma. Acquired by Santen, July 2016.
US developer of first-in-class therapies and systems to treat blindness, including a proprietary microinjection platform that can administer treatment directly to the suprachoroidal space in the eye’s posterior region. Initial public offering, June 2016.